Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas Phone call - any questions?
We hope to be Skyping with Elder Anderson at 4 PM Mountain time on Christmas Day! If you want us to ask him any questions for you, comment NOW!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Longview here he comes, oops, I mean he's already there!
Elder Anderson's parents got an e-mail this week and one of the questions they had on their minds was, will Elder Anderson be transferred this week? Well, he had ALREADY been transferred! The domino effect was in play as one missionary went home, Ben's companion had to take his place, and then Ben got moved to Longview, Washington! He has a new companion, Elder Joslin from St. George, and seems very excited to be in Longview.
His address is 3506 Pennsylvania St., Longview, WA 98632.
The mom of this residence called Ben's parents the next night after we got this word and told us about the area. It is about 1 hour from Portland, Oregon and a little over 1 hour to the ocean, so it's damp and chilly there now. The Henthornes (the missionaries' hosts) own a heating and air company, B & M Heating. They work with the Young Adults in their stake so the missionaries get to spend every FHE with the young adults. Longview, which is on the Columbia River, is an industrial area where there are corporations that specialize in paper products and things created from wood. Weyerhauser is a large company there.
The missionaries spend time in Longview and two nights a week they travel out to the Caslamet Branch. The members love the missionaries so Elder Anderson gets a home-cooked meal each night. For those who are interested in sending Ben a gift card, they have Walmart, Target, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway and Panda Express close by. According to Elder Anderson, "gift cards are a missionary's best friend!"
Sister Henthorne was really happy the first night that Ben was there. Her battery went dead and the two missionaries were right out there helping her with jumper cables. Without Coats! So she told them to get inside. This weekend the missionaries will help this family decorate their home for Christmas.
During the phone call, the missionaries showed up! We could hear Elder Anderson in the background and felt very odd listening. We did talk briefly with Elder Anderson's companion, who seems like a fun guy, but got off the phone soon. (Ben sounded GOOD!, but we did NOT talk to him directly. That would have been too wrong...)
His address is 3506 Pennsylvania St., Longview, WA 98632.
The mom of this residence called Ben's parents the next night after we got this word and told us about the area. It is about 1 hour from Portland, Oregon and a little over 1 hour to the ocean, so it's damp and chilly there now. The Henthornes (the missionaries' hosts) own a heating and air company, B & M Heating. They work with the Young Adults in their stake so the missionaries get to spend every FHE with the young adults. Longview, which is on the Columbia River, is an industrial area where there are corporations that specialize in paper products and things created from wood. Weyerhauser is a large company there.
The missionaries spend time in Longview and two nights a week they travel out to the Caslamet Branch. The members love the missionaries so Elder Anderson gets a home-cooked meal each night. For those who are interested in sending Ben a gift card, they have Walmart, Target, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway and Panda Express close by. According to Elder Anderson, "gift cards are a missionary's best friend!"
Sister Henthorne was really happy the first night that Ben was there. Her battery went dead and the two missionaries were right out there helping her with jumper cables. Without Coats! So she told them to get inside. This weekend the missionaries will help this family decorate their home for Christmas.
During the phone call, the missionaries showed up! We could hear Elder Anderson in the background and felt very odd listening. We did talk briefly with Elder Anderson's companion, who seems like a fun guy, but got off the phone soon. (Ben sounded GOOD!, but we did NOT talk to him directly. That would have been too wrong...)
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Kennewick
Elder Anderson is now in Kennewick, Washington, the headquarters of his mission. Here are some excerpts from his latest e-mail.
"I am here at the library today but don't have much time. So many new things in the new part of the Tri-cities. Its so much fun. I now cover two wards and they are really really cool. I am loving them so much already. I am serving in the Hansen Park ward and the Rancho Reota ward. The zone leaders use to have Rancho and they just changed this transfer. So in a way i got doubled in again with the Rancho ward. But elder Torgeson has been in the Hansen park ward for 3 months now so he knows the area pretty well.
1. Sorry i don't know my address yet to be honest. [send all letters to the address in the header of this blog] But i've been in the office every day for the last week. Its in my area or at least a mile out of it. So if you could just not worry and send it there it will take the same amount of time. I will get that to you asap.
2. We have a our own little apartment really... in the basment of a members house. There names are the Perry family. They are really nice but very very strict. ...We have our own kitchen and everything downstairs and its away from all of their stuff so we enjoy it.
3. Its really nice. I'm actualy in a new chapel. Its so neat. Its like the one back home but a few years newer. We have all mapel doors it looks so nice. And to be honest we are in a very rich part of town so we have some nice members and they are dressed up more so we enjoy it a little more. "
4. My companion is Elder Tyler Torgeson
5. He's from Palmdale California
6. He hits his year mark in two days so Oct 27th. He was suppose to come out when i was but then i moved mine forward as you remember.
7. On PDay we were told earlier in the week that today was the temple so we got up at 5 and went to the temple till about 9. Now its just normal p-day things but i still have to shop for alot of things and get everything taken care of for the new area. I HATE UNPACKING.
8. I got the Halloween box. I got the burger king card as well. I will use that today for sure. thanks mom!! :D
9. The rules are changing a little bit here. We are able to get on the computer and look at church websites whenever we want. Missionaries in other missions are using facbook to help the work. We have texting now i can't beleive that one still. And we might be able to have old ipods that don't have internet access for music. So i am pretty excited. That means i could send for that when it comes time."
Elder Anderson LOVES hearing from you! He only has 10 1/2 months left, so you'd better hurry and send him a letter!
"I am here at the library today but don't have much time. So many new things in the new part of the Tri-cities. Its so much fun. I now cover two wards and they are really really cool. I am loving them so much already. I am serving in the Hansen Park ward and the Rancho Reota ward. The zone leaders use to have Rancho and they just changed this transfer. So in a way i got doubled in again with the Rancho ward. But elder Torgeson has been in the Hansen park ward for 3 months now so he knows the area pretty well.
1. Sorry i don't know my address yet to be honest. [send all letters to the address in the header of this blog] But i've been in the office every day for the last week. Its in my area or at least a mile out of it. So if you could just not worry and send it there it will take the same amount of time. I will get that to you asap.
2. We have a our own little apartment really... in the basment of a members house. There names are the Perry family. They are really nice but very very strict. ...We have our own kitchen and everything downstairs and its away from all of their stuff so we enjoy it.
3. Its really nice. I'm actualy in a new chapel. Its so neat. Its like the one back home but a few years newer. We have all mapel doors it looks so nice. And to be honest we are in a very rich part of town so we have some nice members and they are dressed up more so we enjoy it a little more. "
4. My companion is Elder Tyler Torgeson
5. He's from Palmdale California
6. He hits his year mark in two days so Oct 27th. He was suppose to come out when i was but then i moved mine forward as you remember.
7. On PDay we were told earlier in the week that today was the temple so we got up at 5 and went to the temple till about 9. Now its just normal p-day things but i still have to shop for alot of things and get everything taken care of for the new area. I HATE UNPACKING.
8. I got the Halloween box. I got the burger king card as well. I will use that today for sure. thanks mom!! :D
9. The rules are changing a little bit here. We are able to get on the computer and look at church websites whenever we want. Missionaries in other missions are using facbook to help the work. We have texting now i can't beleive that one still. And we might be able to have old ipods that don't have internet access for music. So i am pretty excited. That means i could send for that when it comes time."
Elder Anderson LOVES hearing from you! He only has 10 1/2 months left, so you'd better hurry and send him a letter!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Pictures from Pasco
Elder Anderson finally sent some pictures. What a beautiful place to be serving the Lord in.
On the pathway just outside the house where they live.
A souvenir from a service project!
District dinner at some well-loved members.
Elder Anderson says the sunsets are the most beautiful in Pasco!
23rd birthday party of an elder from Manchester, England.
Zone get together. Elder Anderson is (naturally) laying down on the floor!
From outside the house in the backyard where they live.
The Columbia River from their house. Gorgeous!
The pathway next to the river from their backyard.
No wonder he loves Pasco!
No wonder he loves Pasco!
Friday, September 30, 2011
New Address in Pasco
You can finally send letters to this address:
Elder Benjamin Anderson
26 Ivy Lane
Pasco, WA 99301
Elder Benjamin Anderson
26 Ivy Lane
Pasco, WA 99301
Friday, September 9, 2011
Ben loves Pasco
Elder Anderson is so excited because he gets to stay in Pasco for at least another six weeks. But they did move to a new apartment in the 8th ward. Since he forgot to give his mother their new address, send all letters to the mission office (address at top of blog).
Monday, September 5, 2011
Transfer?
Just in case of a transfer this week, send all letters to:
Elder Benjamin Anderson, Washington Kennewick Mission, 8656 W. Gage Blvd Ste 205, Kennewick, WA 99336.
Elder Benjamin Anderson, Washington Kennewick Mission, 8656 W. Gage Blvd Ste 205, Kennewick, WA 99336.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
What's Been Happening in Pasco
Elder Anderson is really enjoying Pasco. Here are some of his latest comments.
I can't believe time is flying by so quickly now a days. I can truly say i don't know where the time has gone these last 11 months. Things have changed so much in my life i could never of imagined it before my mission. I know you all see a difference as well. I want all of you to know first off that i am having a wonderful time over here in the Washington Kennewick mission and that i am super excited for the next 13 months that are ahead of me as well. I know now and always will know that i can do this work and i can do it for another 13 months.
"This last week has been quite an interesting one. Every elder in my district got sick this last week and were told to stay and have bed rest at least once during the week. It was super horrible. I was the only one in the district that didn't get any symptoms of it. Probably because i carry hand santatizer around on my back pack haha. But this last week as well we had a mini missionary. THat is when a priest age kid from the age of 16-19 come out with the missionaries for 2 days and see what it is really like to be a missionary. WE got one and it was an interesting experience. Mostly because elder schimdt was sick at the time as well.
We are excited for more things to happen here in pasco. We are seeing dramatic changes with the inactive members of the ward. We are learning to love them and they love us and they are wanting to change and come to christ. We are excited for them. The work here is all Inactive or less active work and we are loving it. Though it doesn't show much success on paper."
He has a walking cast on his foot but that will be off next week and he is really happy about that!
I can't believe time is flying by so quickly now a days. I can truly say i don't know where the time has gone these last 11 months. Things have changed so much in my life i could never of imagined it before my mission. I know you all see a difference as well. I want all of you to know first off that i am having a wonderful time over here in the Washington Kennewick mission and that i am super excited for the next 13 months that are ahead of me as well. I know now and always will know that i can do this work and i can do it for another 13 months.
"This last week has been quite an interesting one. Every elder in my district got sick this last week and were told to stay and have bed rest at least once during the week. It was super horrible. I was the only one in the district that didn't get any symptoms of it. Probably because i carry hand santatizer around on my back pack haha. But this last week as well we had a mini missionary. THat is when a priest age kid from the age of 16-19 come out with the missionaries for 2 days and see what it is really like to be a missionary. WE got one and it was an interesting experience. Mostly because elder schimdt was sick at the time as well.
We are excited for more things to happen here in pasco. We are seeing dramatic changes with the inactive members of the ward. We are learning to love them and they love us and they are wanting to change and come to christ. We are excited for them. The work here is all Inactive or less active work and we are loving it. Though it doesn't show much success on paper."
He has a walking cast on his foot but that will be off next week and he is really happy about that!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Staying in Beautiful Pasco
Elder Anderson is enjoying Pasco, Washington and gets to stay there another six weeks. Here are some questions and answers from his latest e-mail.
"Today is a great day over here in the great state of Washington. Its a warm day and i have a car. What else does a man have to ask for. My essential needs are taken care of and i can enjoy the time with my fellow missionary friends and learn things such as piano and things hopefully at the church."
1. How is your foot doing? My foot!! My foot is doing great i have my cast and i am walking a little bit. I hate having to be stuck in it and not being able to move my ankle it drives me crazy!!!! But if all goes well i will have it off in 4 weeks and then i will be able to run around and have a great time with the missionaries and doing the work.
2. How are your investigators progressing? We are excited to be working with more and to just be here in pasco. If you didn't know already i will be staying in pasco for another six weeks with elder Schmidtt
3. What's the weather like? The weather has been great over here. Has been really low this year when it comes to temperature. We are averaging in the mid 90's and we have the car lately so it has been nice to have a/c and not be walking around in the sun. Even though i have lost some of my tan because of it :( But that doesn't matter for another year.
4. Do you need anything? I am in some need soon for some white shirts. I will be getting rid of all the ones i have now soon because they are starting to rip and to get stained but they will last for a while longer. But i will need some more within the next two months."
His parents plan to send some shirts soon!
"Today is a great day over here in the great state of Washington. Its a warm day and i have a car. What else does a man have to ask for. My essential needs are taken care of and i can enjoy the time with my fellow missionary friends and learn things such as piano and things hopefully at the church."
1. How is your foot doing? My foot!! My foot is doing great i have my cast and i am walking a little bit. I hate having to be stuck in it and not being able to move my ankle it drives me crazy!!!! But if all goes well i will have it off in 4 weeks and then i will be able to run around and have a great time with the missionaries and doing the work.
2. How are your investigators progressing? We are excited to be working with more and to just be here in pasco. If you didn't know already i will be staying in pasco for another six weeks with elder Schmidtt
3. What's the weather like? The weather has been great over here. Has been really low this year when it comes to temperature. We are averaging in the mid 90's and we have the car lately so it has been nice to have a/c and not be walking around in the sun. Even though i have lost some of my tan because of it :( But that doesn't matter for another year.
4. Do you need anything? I am in some need soon for some white shirts. I will be getting rid of all the ones i have now soon because they are starting to rip and to get stained but they will last for a while longer. But i will need some more within the next two months."
His parents plan to send some shirts soon!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Happy Birthday and a cast
On July 11th, Elder Anderson turned 20! Here's what he said about his birthday -
"Well hello family!! And Friends!!
How are you all doing? I know that most of you would all say that you are doing great and that you are enjoying the summer.. . This last week i had a few miss haps. As you all know from my last e-mail that i had a problem with my foot getting hurt and i was afraid that i might have broken it but i truly didn't know if i did or didn't. Well the verdict is out i have broken my fourth metatarsil in my right foot. Now you say what the freak is that? Well that bone is the bone that goes from your heel to your toes its like the main bone. So it hurts a little bit. Last week i had hurt it during basketball and i went and got a doctor to check it out on Tuesday night. Well the doc didn't know or not if i broke it so he said to stay home for a couple of days and then to get it x-rayed on Friday if it continued to hurt. Well it still hurt. I couldn't walk on it. And the week sucked because i had to just sit at home all day and just do nothing. (Which was nice cause i got a few letters written) But on Friday we got the x-ray and we were told that we would get the results of the x-ray on Monday. So we waited. On Sunday i was asked to give a talk to the congregation and it was super hard because i didn't have my cast nor did i want to walk up to the stand with crutches and give a talk. So i stood there on it for 15 minutes and it hurt a little bit. But yesterday it was my birthday and i found out that it was broken. The district through me a good party where we had pizza and cake. It was a fun little event for me. Then we went home and sat because i can't walk anywhere and then waited for dinner with the simpsons. We then got my cast and went home and had a few people sign it and then proceed to bed. I will be getting my cast off on August 22, it will be my other 6 week companion. :D I hope you enjoy the pictures now that i got my early birthday present from mom and dad and Britni i was able to send them via e-mail more and you can get direct updates!! :D
Thank you for the birthday wishes from everyone. I appreciate them. And i will continue to update you on the rest of the things that will be going on. I love you all and would love to update you on any of the other questions you have."
We found out the next day that Elder Anderson will get to stay in this area that he loves and is having success in and he will be getting a car at the end of the week. I'm sure he is happy about that!
"Well hello family!! And Friends!!
How are you all doing? I know that most of you would all say that you are doing great and that you are enjoying the summer.. . This last week i had a few miss haps. As you all know from my last e-mail that i had a problem with my foot getting hurt and i was afraid that i might have broken it but i truly didn't know if i did or didn't. Well the verdict is out i have broken my fourth metatarsil in my right foot. Now you say what the freak is that? Well that bone is the bone that goes from your heel to your toes its like the main bone. So it hurts a little bit. Last week i had hurt it during basketball and i went and got a doctor to check it out on Tuesday night. Well the doc didn't know or not if i broke it so he said to stay home for a couple of days and then to get it x-rayed on Friday if it continued to hurt. Well it still hurt. I couldn't walk on it. And the week sucked because i had to just sit at home all day and just do nothing. (Which was nice cause i got a few letters written) But on Friday we got the x-ray and we were told that we would get the results of the x-ray on Monday. So we waited. On Sunday i was asked to give a talk to the congregation and it was super hard because i didn't have my cast nor did i want to walk up to the stand with crutches and give a talk. So i stood there on it for 15 minutes and it hurt a little bit. But yesterday it was my birthday and i found out that it was broken. The district through me a good party where we had pizza and cake. It was a fun little event for me. Then we went home and sat because i can't walk anywhere and then waited for dinner with the simpsons. We then got my cast and went home and had a few people sign it and then proceed to bed. I will be getting my cast off on August 22, it will be my other 6 week companion. :D I hope you enjoy the pictures now that i got my early birthday present from mom and dad and Britni i was able to send them via e-mail more and you can get direct updates!! :D
Thank you for the birthday wishes from everyone. I appreciate them. And i will continue to update you on the rest of the things that will be going on. I love you all and would love to update you on any of the other questions you have."
We found out the next day that Elder Anderson will get to stay in this area that he loves and is having success in and he will be getting a car at the end of the week. I'm sure he is happy about that!
What, a Broken Foot? or Not?
July 6th Message from Elder Anderson -
I am doing great over here. This week has been an eventful one. On monday due to the fact it was 4th of july our p-day was moved to the 4th. But problem was that on a national holiday all of the public stuff is closed. The library couldn't be used. So we had to be moved to a different day. But our zone conference was yesterday so we had to wait tell today. So i apologize for the late e-mail. I hope i didn't offend anybody. I did not forget. I almost got a family to call and text you guys about it but i had an accident that ended up taking the rest of my evening on monday and tuesday.
On monday it was our personal day and we were able to have some fun. So we went out and about and of course were did we go. The church!! Haha. We were there and we played basketball. Well during my first game we were playing pretty intense and having a dandy good time. I went to run around a screen that somebody had picked because i had to guard a man really close and i stepped on his foot. Usually my ankle is pretty strong. And guess what. This time it was again. But i found out that your foot isn't as strong as your ankle all the time. I stepped a weird way and i almost fell to the ground. I couldn't walk and ended up staying in a wheelchair the rest of the day. Then came zone conference and i talked to the mission president and his wife about my foot. Well i got it looked at by a doctor because i could barely walk on it. HAHA. I was diagnosed with two days bed rest with my foot elevated and ice on it. If it doesn't get any better during those two days i will be going in for x-rays. So keep me in your prayers. Haha. I will get more news to you soon if it is fractured. The mission presidents wife will give mom a call if i need to get x-rays.
Thanks for the love
I am doing great over here. This week has been an eventful one. On monday due to the fact it was 4th of july our p-day was moved to the 4th. But problem was that on a national holiday all of the public stuff is closed. The library couldn't be used. So we had to be moved to a different day. But our zone conference was yesterday so we had to wait tell today. So i apologize for the late e-mail. I hope i didn't offend anybody. I did not forget. I almost got a family to call and text you guys about it but i had an accident that ended up taking the rest of my evening on monday and tuesday.
On monday it was our personal day and we were able to have some fun. So we went out and about and of course were did we go. The church!! Haha. We were there and we played basketball. Well during my first game we were playing pretty intense and having a dandy good time. I went to run around a screen that somebody had picked because i had to guard a man really close and i stepped on his foot. Usually my ankle is pretty strong. And guess what. This time it was again. But i found out that your foot isn't as strong as your ankle all the time. I stepped a weird way and i almost fell to the ground. I couldn't walk and ended up staying in a wheelchair the rest of the day. Then came zone conference and i talked to the mission president and his wife about my foot. Well i got it looked at by a doctor because i could barely walk on it. HAHA. I was diagnosed with two days bed rest with my foot elevated and ice on it. If it doesn't get any better during those two days i will be going in for x-rays. So keep me in your prayers. Haha. I will get more news to you soon if it is fractured. The mission presidents wife will give mom a call if i need to get x-rays.
Thanks for the love
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Latest from Pasco
We got a great letter this week! Here are the highlights!
"How are all of you doing? This week has been an excellent week for us with a few mix ups along the way as well. Starting on tuesday we had another really quick day with alot of things to do and not very much time to do it. We started out in Benton city and then went to the library. After i had a quick 15 minute e-mail session we went to the stake center were we began to play soccer and basketball. Soccer was super fun and i did very well at being a goalie for our team. I am very good at standing in front of the ball and taking beatings HAHA. Well after a few hours of this and playing outside most of the elders decided they were done with soccer. Well we have a elder in our zone and a recent convert that was with us that is super cool that are foreign, Namely Elder Ward from England and Jorge from our ward who is Native from Mexico. Well they proceeded to try and kick the soccer ball around the gym and try to kick it at the padding underneath the basketball hoop. Well i decided to be goalie again and have fun with them. THEY ARE VERY GOOD SOCCER PLAYERS. After a few minutes of playing and they kicking some very hard shots. Elder Ward shot a shot going really really fast and i blocked it with my hand. Well more with my pinky finger. WEll i jammed it really really good. Our ward mission leader and many of the other missionaries think that i broke it. WOW it was huge. My have a hard time with bending it more then a little bit haha. But of course i wasn't done playing so i kept playing ignoring the pain and played basketball and soccer for another hour. I just wanted to share that story because i find it funny cause i think i finally broke a bone, and i don't think it hurt as bad as my mind had lead breaking a bone would be."
"After p-day our week went pretty smooth. We were able to meet another investigator that we have been trying to meet and we were able to have the best week that the area has had for all of 2011. WE had 7 lessons to investigators with members there. And 2 lessons with Investigators without members there. It was a great week. Another random man showed up to church this week as well. . .. He has alot of questions and we hope to keep in contact and help him progress.
I would like to ask the family for few favors as of right now. We have a two year old little girl named clara who as of a month ago got diagnosed with a very rare and dangerous kidney cancer. She was told she probley will not live through it. She has been doing fairly stable and the Tri-Citys have been praying for her and fasting for her and we have been seeing miracles. We have also been asked to seek out prayers and fasting for her. I am asking you to fast and pray for her. She is also online and you can buy wrist bands to support the cause. Her name is Clara Woodward and she is currently at the Spokane hospital."
"How are all of you doing? This week has been an excellent week for us with a few mix ups along the way as well. Starting on tuesday we had another really quick day with alot of things to do and not very much time to do it. We started out in Benton city and then went to the library. After i had a quick 15 minute e-mail session we went to the stake center were we began to play soccer and basketball. Soccer was super fun and i did very well at being a goalie for our team. I am very good at standing in front of the ball and taking beatings HAHA. Well after a few hours of this and playing outside most of the elders decided they were done with soccer. Well we have a elder in our zone and a recent convert that was with us that is super cool that are foreign, Namely Elder Ward from England and Jorge from our ward who is Native from Mexico. Well they proceeded to try and kick the soccer ball around the gym and try to kick it at the padding underneath the basketball hoop. Well i decided to be goalie again and have fun with them. THEY ARE VERY GOOD SOCCER PLAYERS. After a few minutes of playing and they kicking some very hard shots. Elder Ward shot a shot going really really fast and i blocked it with my hand. Well more with my pinky finger. WEll i jammed it really really good. Our ward mission leader and many of the other missionaries think that i broke it. WOW it was huge. My have a hard time with bending it more then a little bit haha. But of course i wasn't done playing so i kept playing ignoring the pain and played basketball and soccer for another hour. I just wanted to share that story because i find it funny cause i think i finally broke a bone, and i don't think it hurt as bad as my mind had lead breaking a bone would be."
"After p-day our week went pretty smooth. We were able to meet another investigator that we have been trying to meet and we were able to have the best week that the area has had for all of 2011. WE had 7 lessons to investigators with members there. And 2 lessons with Investigators without members there. It was a great week. Another random man showed up to church this week as well. . .. He has alot of questions and we hope to keep in contact and help him progress.
I would like to ask the family for few favors as of right now. We have a two year old little girl named clara who as of a month ago got diagnosed with a very rare and dangerous kidney cancer. She was told she probley will not live through it. She has been doing fairly stable and the Tri-Citys have been praying for her and fasting for her and we have been seeing miracles. We have also been asked to seek out prayers and fasting for her. I am asking you to fast and pray for her. She is also online and you can buy wrist bands to support the cause. Her name is Clara Woodward and she is currently at the Spokane hospital."
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Pictures!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Update from Pasco
Elder Anderson has been pretty busy in Pasco, Washington so his parents have had to remind him to take time to give them a little more information in his e-mails. Here's the latest.
"I know i have been slacking, but it is just alot harder then i had ever thought to keep on top of writting while taking the bull by the horns in your area. Training a missionary in your area and the people and teaching all the lessons by yourself is quite a big responsibility. Its almost like training a new missionary. But luckly not that bad yet.
As you both know i have gotten a new companion this last transfer. His name is elder schmidt and he is from west valley UT. He has been out 10 1/2 months and is a cool guy. As always you get along great for the first few weeks. Its the last few that are the test. Our area has been good so far with elder Schmidt. As a new companionship we had the best numbers that this area has put out in all of 2011. We are doing pretty good and are having a good time while we are doing it. Thats the best part. We have a few investigators and i will give you a brief summary of names. Mavi, Wissie family, Spencer, Mercedies, Rakel, THe hazen family, Aaron and Tasha, Armando Chavez, and a hopefully investigator named sister purcel. Thank you for sending the letters i have been getting them. We have had the wrong address a couple of times remember that it sis 8308 not 8303. So please make sure it is to the right address. Thank you for the shoes i did get them they fit great and i have gone running in them already and they work great."
His address is:
Elder Benjamin Anderson
"I know i have been slacking, but it is just alot harder then i had ever thought to keep on top of writting while taking the bull by the horns in your area. Training a missionary in your area and the people and teaching all the lessons by yourself is quite a big responsibility. Its almost like training a new missionary. But luckly not that bad yet.
As you both know i have gotten a new companion this last transfer. His name is elder schmidt and he is from west valley UT. He has been out 10 1/2 months and is a cool guy. As always you get along great for the first few weeks. Its the last few that are the test. Our area has been good so far with elder Schmidt. As a new companionship we had the best numbers that this area has put out in all of 2011. We are doing pretty good and are having a good time while we are doing it. Thats the best part. We have a few investigators and i will give you a brief summary of names. Mavi, Wissie family, Spencer, Mercedies, Rakel, THe hazen family, Aaron and Tasha, Armando Chavez, and a hopefully investigator named sister purcel. Thank you for sending the letters i have been getting them. We have had the wrong address a couple of times remember that it sis 8308 not 8303. So please make sure it is to the right address. Thank you for the shoes i did get them they fit great and i have gone running in them already and they work great."
His address is:
Elder Benjamin Anderson
8308 Orcas Dr.
Pasco, WA, 99301
Friday, May 13, 2011
Message from Pasco
Elder Anderson sent us a message from his new location in Pasco, Washington.
"So one phone call down and 2 more to go. HAHA. Only 7 more months as well until i get that next phone call. Which is less then the time then i have been out already. WOW that is sorta crazy. 5 more days and will have been out for 8 months. The time truly does fly by so quick like everybody says. Yet at the same time all i can remember is the mission. I can't remember home much at all. Which in my eyes is a blessing. Because i had a pretty comfortable home life and i had everything pretty much going my way. So i am glad i am not really able to remember so clearly those times and just be able to focus on my mission. I think that is one of the blessings that the lord has given me sense i have come out.
Like you all know i was able to talk to you this last sunday!! YAY for me and ya for you. I had alot of fun and it was a wonderful mothers day. I hope you all wished mom a happy mothers day and a happy birthday those days. If not. THere is always a time to say you love her and appreciate her. Cause you never know how long you got to tell her those precious words.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy sunday to be able to come and talk to me. I know that you all have so much to do and so many family members to still see. SO thank you for giving me an hour of your day and letting me express my feelings for the family and also for mom.
THanks for the love and support family.
Love you all
Elder anderson"
"So one phone call down and 2 more to go. HAHA. Only 7 more months as well until i get that next phone call. Which is less then the time then i have been out already. WOW that is sorta crazy. 5 more days and will have been out for 8 months. The time truly does fly by so quick like everybody says. Yet at the same time all i can remember is the mission. I can't remember home much at all. Which in my eyes is a blessing. Because i had a pretty comfortable home life and i had everything pretty much going my way. So i am glad i am not really able to remember so clearly those times and just be able to focus on my mission. I think that is one of the blessings that the lord has given me sense i have come out.
Like you all know i was able to talk to you this last sunday!! YAY for me and ya for you. I had alot of fun and it was a wonderful mothers day. I hope you all wished mom a happy mothers day and a happy birthday those days. If not. THere is always a time to say you love her and appreciate her. Cause you never know how long you got to tell her those precious words.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy sunday to be able to come and talk to me. I know that you all have so much to do and so many family members to still see. SO thank you for giving me an hour of your day and letting me express my feelings for the family and also for mom.
THanks for the love and support family.
Love you all
Elder anderson"
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day Blessings
Missionary Moms love Mother's Day
Elder Anderson got to Skype his family and it was a wonderful experience. By the end his mom was crying with joy at the awesome man he has become.
He is doing great in Pasco. He loves that he is in the mission field. He is grateful, patient, kind, loving, funny and dedicated. The tears on his mom's face are tears of joy!
Elder Anderson got to Skype his family and it was a wonderful experience. By the end his mom was crying with joy at the awesome man he has become.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Pasco
Elder Anderson is now in Pasco, Washington! Please write him at the mission office -
Elder Benjamin Anderson
8656 W Gage Blvd. Ste 205
Kennewick, WA 99336
He Skyped his family on Mother's Day and it was GREAT! He looked and sounded supremely happy!
More later!
Elder Benjamin Anderson
8656 W Gage Blvd. Ste 205
Kennewick, WA 99336
He Skyped his family on Mother's Day and it was GREAT! He looked and sounded supremely happy!
More later!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Sorry, viewers
Elder Anderson's mother has been so busy lately that she hasn't posted much here lately.
Here's the latest e-mail message -
"This last week has been a nice uplifting week. We have had the opportunity to do many things such as have zone confrence and easter that made a nice little spiritual upboost that i think that the whole zone needed and i needed as well.
Tough throughout the last few weeks - our investigators havn't had much success but we were able to see a little bit of our efforts start to come forth. We had an investigator named Jessica come to church for the first time in over a year. And we also got another investigator that we have been teaching the last two weeks come to church and his name is Matt and we are pretty excited about him. He has been sitting in on the lessons with his family who where recently baptized members. So this last Sunday we had alot of investigators and less actives come out and show up to church which is a great sucess for us. Plus we have gotten alot of referals this last week that we have been looking for. We got around 10 referals to go see people on Sunday because we were asking for them like mad men. So I hope that this will continue. We are hoping that this week will be a suberb week. We had 4 lessons yesterday and we did a baptismal interview for some other elders. So we are pretty pumped that this week will be a successful week."
He goes on to ask for our prayers for him and his area.
Write to him at
Elder Benjamin Anderson
1840 W. 16th Street
The Dalles, OR 87058
Here's the latest e-mail message -
"This last week has been a nice uplifting week. We have had the opportunity to do many things such as have zone confrence and easter that made a nice little spiritual upboost that i think that the whole zone needed and i needed as well.
Tough throughout the last few weeks - our investigators havn't had much success but we were able to see a little bit of our efforts start to come forth. We had an investigator named Jessica come to church for the first time in over a year. And we also got another investigator that we have been teaching the last two weeks come to church and his name is Matt and we are pretty excited about him. He has been sitting in on the lessons with his family who where recently baptized members. So this last Sunday we had alot of investigators and less actives come out and show up to church which is a great sucess for us. Plus we have gotten alot of referals this last week that we have been looking for. We got around 10 referals to go see people on Sunday because we were asking for them like mad men. So I hope that this will continue. We are hoping that this week will be a suberb week. We had 4 lessons yesterday and we did a baptismal interview for some other elders. So we are pretty pumped that this week will be a successful week."
He goes on to ask for our prayers for him and his area.
Write to him at
Elder Benjamin Anderson
1840 W. 16th Street
The Dalles, OR 87058
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Latest from the Dalles
"Another week and another transfer has past here in The Dalles zone and another transfer has come and gone for me. Wow i have been out 4 transfers already and i have had 3 companions and served in 2 different areas. I can't believe that i have had the opportunity to see all these wonderful people and be able to serve the lord out in such a beautiful place. Yesterday i was able to find out if i was going to be transferred to a different area and have a new companion and i was pretty nervous about leaving my area and getting a new companion. But this transfer call was a really good call. Neither Elder Hobbs or i am getting transfered or my other favorite companionship that is here in the dalles. So as of transfers there pretty much was nothing. Everything stayed the same except for two people in our entire zone haha. So i am pretty stoked for this next transfer.
Today we are going golfing for free and i'm so excited. We will be going with another companionship in the dalles that we are really close to and we have a blast together so we will have so much fun. But also we will be with an investigator of ours named JR Walker. He is 14 years old and he is a stud. He is so really cool and wants to be baptized so bad. But his mom won't let him until he reads the entire bible and the b.o.m. and prove that he truly wants to be bapitzed and its not just his grandparents that are helping him be baptized into the church. So that is kind of sad but i am excited to go play golf with him cause i know it will just make our relationship with him grow even closer. The work here in the past two weeks has been really quite slow. It hasn't been all that fun. We have had investigator after investigator drop us and tell us to not come back so much recently. We even had a gator (investigator) that was looking forward to baptism and even said she would be baptized leave a note on her door and tell us that she didn't want us to come back and she wanted us to delete her phone number from our phone. We were pretty heart broken when these things happened cause these types of things have been happening the last few weeks and its starting to weigh on our minds. But we are trying to look on the positive side and to keep the work progressing."
.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Dalles
Elder Anderson's e-mails have been kind of short since he settled into his newest area. But today we got a great e-mail focusing on prayer.
"Six months have come and gone and i don't know where the time went. Its been crazy how fast the mission picks up once you get the hang of it. But i still am in awe over the fact that 6 months have already past and that i have finished 1/4 of my mission already. (but at the same time i don't even remember home so it feels like 6 months). And one of the best things is that i am in one of my favorite districts that i have been in my entire mission. We are in the Dalles district and it has 6 missionaries in it. But mostly just 4. The entire dalles has 4 missionaries and i am one of them. So that leaves 3 others that we get to mingle with all the time and get to know. They are Elder Hobbs, my companion from mount vernon Texas, Elder Fenn from Benson Arizona, And Elder Roundy from Las Vegas Nevada. They are truly like my brothers and i treat them as such. Though at times i want to kick there butts and i end up doing so because i'm bigger and stronger them all of them we have a wonderful time together. We are truly in love with this work and we would do nothing else but look to serve and help those that are in need. I can say thus far that these 3 missionaries are my favorites as of yet.
This last week was a long week due to the fact that p-day was on thursday and it took so long to get here. But it was a very good weekend. On tuesday night i was asked to give a talk in church on the 13th and he asked me to talk on the power of prayer and how it relates to missionary work. Well as you know from previous letters that prayer is truly one of my biggest strong points in the mission and i was really really excited to give a talk. I ended up giving a really long talk and when i had no more time left i was sad because i had so much more to say. But i would like to share a few little key things on prayer and how it is so important in our lives. First off my life has been changed by prayer. I don't think i would have gone on a mission if prayer wasn't there. Prayer is the way we get answers about questions and eternal truths. Prayer is what started this whole last dispensation here on the earth today. JUST BY ONE PRAYER. And now we are led by a prophet here on the earth today because of it. But the most true and dear thing to me about prayer that i would like you to realize is that it is truly something we need to do all the time. It says in 2 Ne 32:9 that we are to consecrate our lives in prayer in everything we do. Our lord and savior Jesus Christ went into the garden of Gethsemane and before he started any of his work he knelt down and said a prayer to his father. Our savior and redeemer started this great atonement in a prayer. And i would just like to emphasize how important prayer truly is and how we need to continue to prayer to our father in everything we do. (if you have time anyone please check out the Bible Dictionary on prayer its a great thing to study). "
Wow!
"Six months have come and gone and i don't know where the time went. Its been crazy how fast the mission picks up once you get the hang of it. But i still am in awe over the fact that 6 months have already past and that i have finished 1/4 of my mission already. (but at the same time i don't even remember home so it feels like 6 months). And one of the best things is that i am in one of my favorite districts that i have been in my entire mission. We are in the Dalles district and it has 6 missionaries in it. But mostly just 4. The entire dalles has 4 missionaries and i am one of them. So that leaves 3 others that we get to mingle with all the time and get to know. They are Elder Hobbs, my companion from mount vernon Texas, Elder Fenn from Benson Arizona, And Elder Roundy from Las Vegas Nevada. They are truly like my brothers and i treat them as such. Though at times i want to kick there butts and i end up doing so because i'm bigger and stronger them all of them we have a wonderful time together. We are truly in love with this work and we would do nothing else but look to serve and help those that are in need. I can say thus far that these 3 missionaries are my favorites as of yet.
This last week was a long week due to the fact that p-day was on thursday and it took so long to get here. But it was a very good weekend. On tuesday night i was asked to give a talk in church on the 13th and he asked me to talk on the power of prayer and how it relates to missionary work. Well as you know from previous letters that prayer is truly one of my biggest strong points in the mission and i was really really excited to give a talk. I ended up giving a really long talk and when i had no more time left i was sad because i had so much more to say. But i would like to share a few little key things on prayer and how it is so important in our lives. First off my life has been changed by prayer. I don't think i would have gone on a mission if prayer wasn't there. Prayer is the way we get answers about questions and eternal truths. Prayer is what started this whole last dispensation here on the earth today. JUST BY ONE PRAYER. And now we are led by a prophet here on the earth today because of it. But the most true and dear thing to me about prayer that i would like you to realize is that it is truly something we need to do all the time. It says in 2 Ne 32:9 that we are to consecrate our lives in prayer in everything we do. Our lord and savior Jesus Christ went into the garden of Gethsemane and before he started any of his work he knelt down and said a prayer to his father. Our savior and redeemer started this great atonement in a prayer. And i would just like to emphasize how important prayer truly is and how we need to continue to prayer to our father in everything we do. (if you have time anyone please check out the Bible Dictionary on prayer its a great thing to study). "
Wow!
Monday, March 7, 2011
What a beautiful place!
Elder Ben's sweet girlfriend, Britni, got some pictures from him and shared them with us. What a beautiful place Elder Ben is serving in...
We're not sure which river it is, but we think it's probably very cold! This was probably taken in January!
Yes, it looks like he's wearing some sort of fedora! Mighty fine, Elder!
Elder Anderson's family always makes gingerbread houses on Christmas Eve. We think this must be a sorta kinda gingerbread house!
It looks like Elder Anderson is goofing off. I wonder how the Lutherans felt about it!
Here is an excerpt from the questions and answers e-mail we got recently:
1.Is that the correct address? I think that is the correct address but i don't know for sure. I did get a package from you that had cloths in it and i really apprceated those cloths i will be wearing them today hopefuly. :D
2.Did you get the box I sent there? What did you like best? I liked the cloths alot. Plus the money wasn't to bad ;)\
2.Did you get the box I sent there? What did you like best? I liked the cloths alot. Plus the money wasn't to bad ;)\
3.Did things fit? I don't know but i'm guessing they do. Hopefully they do!! :D
4.Is this new area drier or as wet as Vancouver? Is it pretty? What does it look like? It is alot drier. It would have to be in my opinion a mix between utah and washington in green wise. But also it has alot of cliffs and things that are different.
5.What do you think about your mission president? You've met with him at least three times but you haven't really given us your impressions of him. He is a really good man. He truly is a spiritual giant. I don't know very much about him or my impressions about him cause i truly just don't have one. Its like looking at the prophet. But just he isn't as powerful haha.
6.Does your companion go work with other missionaries in your district sometimes? Yes he does. I already did splits with the zone leaders last weekend and this wed i am going to a tiny little town called goldendale with a different man from nevada.
4.Is this new area drier or as wet as Vancouver? Is it pretty? What does it look like? It is alot drier. It would have to be in my opinion a mix between utah and washington in green wise. But also it has alot of cliffs and things that are different.
5.What do you think about your mission president? You've met with him at least three times but you haven't really given us your impressions of him. He is a really good man. He truly is a spiritual giant. I don't know very much about him or my impressions about him cause i truly just don't have one. Its like looking at the prophet. But just he isn't as powerful haha.
6.Does your companion go work with other missionaries in your district sometimes? Yes he does. I already did splits with the zone leaders last weekend and this wed i am going to a tiny little town called goldendale with a different man from nevada.
7.When are you going to send back your MTC daily calendar that you said you'd send to us so we could see what your days were like there. I just keep forgetting. I just have to get myself to the post office here to get a bigger envelope. And also i have kept all of my planners cause i number them and i want to remember what i did that transfer.
8.Have you seen anyone (elder or sister) from our area while you've been out there? (Janae Webber from LP and Cedar Hills is there and at least one other guy from LP I think) Yes there are a few other people i have ran into from lp over the last few months. I have ran into elder tyler peterson from alpine ut and he graduated a year before me. Also elder cody mack from cedar hills. He graduated the same year as i did. But also a kid named jason richey. He got here last transfer.
8.Have you seen anyone (elder or sister) from our area while you've been out there? (Janae Webber from LP and Cedar Hills is there and at least one other guy from LP I think) Yes there are a few other people i have ran into from lp over the last few months. I have ran into elder tyler peterson from alpine ut and he graduated a year before me. Also elder cody mack from cedar hills. He graduated the same year as i did. But also a kid named jason richey. He got here last transfer.
9.What's the family like that you live with? They are a really cool family. He owns a contracting company and he also is a huge hunter. I think it would be intresting to some time call over there and talk to them and ask them about contracting and stuff. And there name is bro and sis wolf.
10.What was the transfer day like? Did you have a meeting before you got in vans to drive to The Dalles? It was a good transfer we just all meet at the same place and have a little prayer get in the vans and drive haha. So it wasn't anything to special. It was just a fun little experience.
10.What was the transfer day like? Did you have a meeting before you got in vans to drive to The Dalles? It was a good transfer we just all meet at the same place and have a little prayer get in the vans and drive haha. So it wasn't anything to special. It was just a fun little experience.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Transfer Day Info and Pictures!
A nice lady from Elder Anderson's new area took pictures of the missionaries as they met their new companions and went to their new locations. He looks so happy!
Elder Anderson and his new companion, Elder Hobbs
We think that there is a bike inside this box.
The lady who took these pictures had them over for dinner their first night in The Dalles. She says" they are living with the Wolf family and it is the greatest because it is sort of in town but out in the country. They have a car because our ward can be 90 miles out. Very big ward in area. He has the best ward in the zone. Well, maybe Hood River can equal us. It is a great zone. They come here and meet on Tuesdays for P days. I offered golf and he might take us up on that. He is a real delight and fit in at dinner so natural. He is a smiling guy and happy. Just what we like. People will love him. Elder Hobbs is from Texas. But he doesn't talk with a drawl. They will work good with each other even thought they never met before transfer day."
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Transfer
After 4 1/2 months in the lovely city of Vancouver, and never serving in any other place in his mission, Elder Anderson has been moved to The Dalles in south eastern Washington. Here are his thoughts:
"Today is Feb 8th and it is a very exciting but sad day today. . . my last day as being a missionary for the Evergreen Ward. I am now being transfered and getting a new companion and being doubled into (brand new area for both of us) to the Dalles zone and the Dalles 2nd ward. I am getting a new companion and he is supposed to be really cool. . . For all of you that don't know where the Dalles is, the Dalles is a small town in northern Oregon and is right in the middle of the gorge. It is right on the side of a huge hill and is really windy and icy there. So it will be just like home. Small town really windy and icey. HAHA I'm actualy really excited. I'm ready to have a new area and a fresh start with the people. I'm looking forward to getting new investigators and having the opportunity to share the gospel to more souls. Due to the fact that we both knew that this was my last week here in the evergreen ward. Elder Dixon and I decided to make things a little more fun as we walk places and go to different peoples houses. We made up a new really cool game this week. We call it street golf. We use rocks as our golf balls and we use the sewer caps as our holes. We decide what par the hole is and start to kick our rocks to the hole in however many times we can get it there. This week we must have played like 50 holes cause it is such a fun game and we both get alot of jokes and things out of it. Sad news at the same time is that Andon as not baptised but that is completely fine. We got him to chuch this week and we also got 7 others that we have been working with to come to church as well. It was a new record for us and it was a very very exciting Sunday. We even found out that Elder Dixon will be training a new missionary this transfer as well. So I suppose that President Greer looks highly of us and expects great things out of us at the same time. This week will be new and different but I am super excited.
Keep remembering to not send mail to my house here at Evergreen. Please only send it to
8656 W Gage Blvd. Ste 205
Kennewick, WA 99336"
"Today is Feb 8th and it is a very exciting but sad day today. . . my last day as being a missionary for the Evergreen Ward. I am now being transfered and getting a new companion and being doubled into (brand new area for both of us) to the Dalles zone and the Dalles 2nd ward. I am getting a new companion and he is supposed to be really cool. . . For all of you that don't know where the Dalles is, the Dalles is a small town in northern Oregon and is right in the middle of the gorge. It is right on the side of a huge hill and is really windy and icy there. So it will be just like home. Small town really windy and icey. HAHA I'm actualy really excited. I'm ready to have a new area and a fresh start with the people. I'm looking forward to getting new investigators and having the opportunity to share the gospel to more souls. Due to the fact that we both knew that this was my last week here in the evergreen ward. Elder Dixon and I decided to make things a little more fun as we walk places and go to different peoples houses. We made up a new really cool game this week. We call it street golf. We use rocks as our golf balls and we use the sewer caps as our holes. We decide what par the hole is and start to kick our rocks to the hole in however many times we can get it there. This week we must have played like 50 holes cause it is such a fun game and we both get alot of jokes and things out of it. Sad news at the same time is that Andon as not baptised but that is completely fine. We got him to chuch this week and we also got 7 others that we have been working with to come to church as well. It was a new record for us and it was a very very exciting Sunday. We even found out that Elder Dixon will be training a new missionary this transfer as well. So I suppose that President Greer looks highly of us and expects great things out of us at the same time. This week will be new and different but I am super excited.
Keep remembering to not send mail to my house here at Evergreen. Please only send it to
8656 W Gage Blvd. Ste 205
Kennewick, WA 99336"
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Transfers soon
Elder Anderson told us that he will find out if he will be transferred or not this Saturday. SOOOOO, no more snail mail or packages to his house, only to the mission office until further notice. The mission office address is:
Elder Ben Anderson
Washington Kennewick LDS Mission
8656 W. Gage BLVD, STE 205
Kennewick, WA, 99336
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Pictures!!!
Some of the people in Washington are so kind! They send pictures of Elder Anderson to his parents. For them, it's like getting a present each time this happens.
Here is Elder Anderson with his new companion, Elder Dixon:
Here are some of Elder Anderson on Christmas Day.
Here is Elder Anderson with his new companion, Elder Dixon:
Here are some of Elder Anderson on Christmas Day.
Elder Morgan, Elder Nelson, Elder Randall and Ben (all from Utah!)
The Power of Prayer
Elder Anderson, although feeling very mortal from getting rained on all the time in Vancouver, WA, has been having some awesome spiritual experiences which make the mortal, earthly trials a bit more palatable. Well, a lot more palatable! Here is an example from his e-mail this week:
"Our testimony of prayer become even bigger and makes us even more excited to do mission work over here in the evergreen ward.. . On Thursday night we were planning for the next day and we started out by saying a prayer like we are supposed to. Elder Dixon decided to offer the prayer and he started out saying a normal prayer that didn't touch me at any part until on little part where both of us kinda were a little surprised about what he said. In his prayer he said something to the effect of, "please help us answer somebody's prayers tomorrow." Well we both didn't say anything about it but we did notice it in the prayer and decided to finish the day by writing in our journals and going to bed. In the morning nothing was different. But that last night we had planned on going up to the north part of our area to see a family we had never seen before. And it is in the middle of no where. Really far away and I didn't want to bike over there at all. The streets were really busy, we almost got hit a couple times by cars, there are no side walks, no bike paths and there is a swamp and river on the side of us so we either fall into that or we get hit by a car. I continued to just keep peddling at my own speed and trying to get there as fast as I could. I was pretty tired and sweaty by the time we got to the area. . . We then proceeded to go to the house that we had planned on seeing. The house wasn't far away but when we got there nobody answered the door. We where pretty bummed about that. But we continued onward and went to a less active's house and knew that she should be home for us to at least visit with her. We then arrived and found out that she as well wasn't home and that we were pretty much done with our time up there and wasted all of that effort and scary biking for nothing. We then started towards the street when I felt like we should stop and go back to a house in a circle that had a man that was dis-fellowshipped from the church a few years back. We decided to stop there and see if the man was home. We knocked on the door and nobody answered. So we rang the door bell and it seemed like nobody was home. But we sat there a little bit longer than normal just because, and all of the sudden the door opened and the man we were trying to see was standing there at the door and welcoming us in. His name is Joel and he is a sailor and he is a very tough man who you can tell you don't want to mess with. We then sat down and we started to talk to him about things we noticed and starting up a conversation when he all of a sudden he said. "I'm glad you men came over. I got up this morning and said a prayer for somebody to help me and give me a priesthood blessing". Not even thinking about what I was going to say my mouth opened and I said something that was completely his own business. I asked. "Why do you need a blessing, Joel"? He then stopped and choked up. He told us that this morning he got up and was drunk. He had been drinking since he was 13 and wants to stop. He is now 29 and has lost every contact he had from the church. He needs to stop and he prayed for the Lord to help him that very day and have somebody help him with the things he was messing up with. He told us that he wanted to come back to church. That he is getting a new job that allows him to go back to church in a few weeks and that he is planning on quitting drinking but he needed some help from someone and a blessing. And who was there on that very day at the very morning in that very area? Us, the missionaries the very people that want to help him and will do anything to help him. We told him that we were going to always be there for him and he asked me to give him a blessing. We did so and left and told him that the Lord has given him a clean slate. He has the chance to change his life right now and he has the opportunity to.
Prayer is one of the most powerful tools that the Lord has given us. . .we are to use it and the Lord will bless us through prayer. This young man will now be going back to church and will be a wonderful example for others. I know that Heavenly Father listens and answers prayers, and that he always will. I know that it works and that he loves us. I love you all as well and hope you pray for others and for yourself.
I hope all goes well this week. I will continue to pray for you and for the work."
Saturday, January 8, 2011
WOW is Right!
Elder Anderson stayed in Vancouver on the last transfer and his new companion is a roomie from the MTC, that he really likes. Here is the latest, and keep in mind that Ben thinks he is still texting because he rarely capitalizes anything!
"So this last week has been one of the funnest and hardest weeks i have ever had since i have been out as a missionary. I would like to see how the rest of 2011 will be. Full of huge ups and some downs where i will be having a hard time. But i would like to focus on what was really good and fun due to the fact there is nothing we can do about the bad. First off elder dixon from the MTC is now my companion and i got an e-mail from president saying that he expects great things out of us in this area and that he wants us to be ready to train new missionaries soon. HAHA. Wow i couldn't believe that out of 240 missionaries president writes me personaly and says that he wants us to be ready to train when i have only been out 4 months. WOW. So that was a real shocker and i know that i can do it is the really scary thing. Elder dixon and i are all about work now and are doing alot of it. We are doing alot of street contacting and are pretty much sharing the gospel with everybody we meet. Which actually brought us one or the most crazy experience i have ever had in my life.
" Thursday (the first full day together) its 10 am and we have just left the house to go see a less active member when we are walking down the street and we come across a sister that is about 20 years old and is walking home in the 20 degree weather and is kind of in a rush. Normally with elder morgan, we would see that she is busy and keep on going on cause we also were in a rush to a less active's house. But elder dixon proceeded to stop and talk to this young lady. And as we did so we shared our testimonies about the church and how the gospel has been restored to the earth. She then said she would like a book of mormon and she would like us to return to her house on sunday around 3 o clock and tell her more. Let me tell you somthing,during the last 3 months when we have talked to people all of them have said no and don't want to talk to you. But this one time where i didn't want to talk and was in a rush we stopped and she wanted to hear a message from us. WOW we would have missed her and we wouldn't have helped her at all. But i would like to also share what happened after this experience. Sunday came around and we were on our way to this house. Elder dixon was sick and didn't really want to go cause he truly looked like crap. But we got there and when we knocked on the door another sister answered. I began to talk to her and share that we are mormon missionaries and that we were here to share a message to sarah that we had talked to on the street. She then ran outside and started to interogate us about what we were doing. We then asked if sarah was home and she replied she isn't she is at work. We then asked if it would be alright if we could share a message with her about the restored gospel and if she had some time. She then replied yes and said go ahead and teach me. As i started to say a few words she yelled out stop. I was kind of taken by sutprise and was expecting some anti thoughts from her mouth. But she didn't say anything of that sort. She said let me share you an experience. She said she was 18 and that her parents just kicked her out of her house. She was living with her friend and she had no wjere to go. Her family said they were christian and yet they just hung her out to dry. She then started to tear up when we replied that we are gods children and that he loves us. We shared a message with her and she was almost in tears of joy when she said i am very happy that you fellows stopped by and i too would like a book of mormon. I then realized how if i wouldn't have opened my mouth on that cold winter day to a rushing sister that looked somewhat annoyed that i wouldn't have found this women looking for the truth. We have a return appointment with her. But that isn't the reason why this is so important. Through opening our mouths we have found a sister that wanted the truth and that needed it. And i have gained a testimony of that even more now that this experience has happened.
" NEXT EXPERIENCE. On new years day we had been walking about 8 miles and we were really really tired. HAHA we had really had no success but we were having a great time talking and sharing the gospel with the people we have met on the street. We then started to tred on home when we came across a lady that looked asian and we then got excited to be able to talk to her and share a message about the gospel with her. We got close to her and waved and stopped to share a message. She then got really excited and began to talk in very very very broken english. We could only understand one or two words in a few sentences. Then she proceeded to take us to her house. We realized this would be a great opportunity to share a message with her and agreed to do so. We then got into the house and she was going crazy. She pulled out two pounds of cashews and put them on my lap and told me to eat them. She then got out grape juice and told me to open it and pour it into our glasses. She then stated that the wine was HIS body. And i was kinda freaked out by that . She then proceeded to try and turn on a lamp that wouldn't work. As she was doing so she cried out many times jesus jesus o help me jesus. She did so for about 2 minutes or so and the lamp eventually turned on but it was really funny her reaction. She then proceeded to give us fruitcake, chocolates, fruit candy, and dorito's. She was insane. She pulled out a knife and even started waving it around and then opened up the cake and candies. I truly thought i as going to die. When then realized that this lady was just a little crazy and that we needed to get out of there. We proceeded to slowly get up when she yelled STOP. YOU Sit down. and pushed me down. O wow. I was laughing so hard but really really scared at the same time. Elder dixon then shared a message and we got up and slowly started to go outside when she then proceeded to cry and tell us not to leave and to even start yelling at us. Elder dixon then just said we got to go and started walking out. She then said lets just say a prayer. When then said one and i didn't understand any of it. We said goodbye ran down the stairs and ran about 3 blocks to get away from this crazy lady. I wish i could truly explain what happened better. Maybe next time i will have to explain it in more detail. But i hope you know it was fun."
"So this last week has been one of the funnest and hardest weeks i have ever had since i have been out as a missionary. I would like to see how the rest of 2011 will be. Full of huge ups and some downs where i will be having a hard time. But i would like to focus on what was really good and fun due to the fact there is nothing we can do about the bad. First off elder dixon from the MTC is now my companion and i got an e-mail from president saying that he expects great things out of us in this area and that he wants us to be ready to train new missionaries soon. HAHA. Wow i couldn't believe that out of 240 missionaries president writes me personaly and says that he wants us to be ready to train when i have only been out 4 months. WOW. So that was a real shocker and i know that i can do it is the really scary thing. Elder dixon and i are all about work now and are doing alot of it. We are doing alot of street contacting and are pretty much sharing the gospel with everybody we meet. Which actually brought us one or the most crazy experience i have ever had in my life.
" Thursday (the first full day together) its 10 am and we have just left the house to go see a less active member when we are walking down the street and we come across a sister that is about 20 years old and is walking home in the 20 degree weather and is kind of in a rush. Normally with elder morgan, we would see that she is busy and keep on going on cause we also were in a rush to a less active's house. But elder dixon proceeded to stop and talk to this young lady. And as we did so we shared our testimonies about the church and how the gospel has been restored to the earth. She then said she would like a book of mormon and she would like us to return to her house on sunday around 3 o clock and tell her more. Let me tell you somthing,during the last 3 months when we have talked to people all of them have said no and don't want to talk to you. But this one time where i didn't want to talk and was in a rush we stopped and she wanted to hear a message from us. WOW we would have missed her and we wouldn't have helped her at all. But i would like to also share what happened after this experience. Sunday came around and we were on our way to this house. Elder dixon was sick and didn't really want to go cause he truly looked like crap. But we got there and when we knocked on the door another sister answered. I began to talk to her and share that we are mormon missionaries and that we were here to share a message to sarah that we had talked to on the street. She then ran outside and started to interogate us about what we were doing. We then asked if sarah was home and she replied she isn't she is at work. We then asked if it would be alright if we could share a message with her about the restored gospel and if she had some time. She then replied yes and said go ahead and teach me. As i started to say a few words she yelled out stop. I was kind of taken by sutprise and was expecting some anti thoughts from her mouth. But she didn't say anything of that sort. She said let me share you an experience. She said she was 18 and that her parents just kicked her out of her house. She was living with her friend and she had no wjere to go. Her family said they were christian and yet they just hung her out to dry. She then started to tear up when we replied that we are gods children and that he loves us. We shared a message with her and she was almost in tears of joy when she said i am very happy that you fellows stopped by and i too would like a book of mormon. I then realized how if i wouldn't have opened my mouth on that cold winter day to a rushing sister that looked somewhat annoyed that i wouldn't have found this women looking for the truth. We have a return appointment with her. But that isn't the reason why this is so important. Through opening our mouths we have found a sister that wanted the truth and that needed it. And i have gained a testimony of that even more now that this experience has happened.
" NEXT EXPERIENCE. On new years day we had been walking about 8 miles and we were really really tired. HAHA we had really had no success but we were having a great time talking and sharing the gospel with the people we have met on the street. We then started to tred on home when we came across a lady that looked asian and we then got excited to be able to talk to her and share a message about the gospel with her. We got close to her and waved and stopped to share a message. She then got really excited and began to talk in very very very broken english. We could only understand one or two words in a few sentences. Then she proceeded to take us to her house. We realized this would be a great opportunity to share a message with her and agreed to do so. We then got into the house and she was going crazy. She pulled out two pounds of cashews and put them on my lap and told me to eat them. She then got out grape juice and told me to open it and pour it into our glasses. She then stated that the wine was HIS body. And i was kinda freaked out by that . She then proceeded to try and turn on a lamp that wouldn't work. As she was doing so she cried out many times jesus jesus o help me jesus. She did so for about 2 minutes or so and the lamp eventually turned on but it was really funny her reaction. She then proceeded to give us fruitcake, chocolates, fruit candy, and dorito's. She was insane. She pulled out a knife and even started waving it around and then opened up the cake and candies. I truly thought i as going to die. When then realized that this lady was just a little crazy and that we needed to get out of there. We proceeded to slowly get up when she yelled STOP. YOU Sit down. and pushed me down. O wow. I was laughing so hard but really really scared at the same time. Elder dixon then shared a message and we got up and slowly started to go outside when she then proceeded to cry and tell us not to leave and to even start yelling at us. Elder dixon then just said we got to go and started walking out. She then said lets just say a prayer. When then said one and i didn't understand any of it. We said goodbye ran down the stairs and ran about 3 blocks to get away from this crazy lady. I wish i could truly explain what happened better. Maybe next time i will have to explain it in more detail. But i hope you know it was fun."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)