Vancouver, Washington!!!!

Elder Anderson arrived safely in Kennewick, Washington on October 5th!  His parents got phone calls when he was at the airport and he said he was so excited to get out of the MTC "prison."  This was said in jest, but you could tell he was thrilled to be leaving and starting the work.  We know why missionaries aren't encouraged to make phone calls home at least from a parent's perspective.  It's hard to hang up and you can't concentrate for the rest of the day!  We imagine it must be the same for the missionary.

We received a great letter from the mission president and his wife saying he had arrived safely and that his first area would be Vancouver, Washington which is in the far southwest of his mission near Portland, Oregon. 

 Ben's mom loves how his new mission mom has her hand resting on his arm just like she would do if she were there!  (sigh, sob...)

Bye, bye Big White

For those of you out there who were used to Elder Anderson driving the big white Dodge truck around, those days are over.  But you might see an Anderson still using it.  His sister and brother-in-law decided they wanted to use it for deer hunting and other off-road things, so they'll be around the state in Ben's old stand-by.

Dear Elder makes Elder Happy

Elder Ben sent a long, informative e-mail Thursday.  Sorry it's taken me so long to get it posted here, but his mom has been out of town with little internet connection.
Highlights from the last e-mail -

1. Schedule is very hectic.  I am busy all day long. Once i fill up one of my planners i will send it to you which has my daily planning in it and it will blow your mind away. ;) I have to get up at 6 and i go to bed around 10:30-11

2. I got a backpack the second day i was here. I really like it. THe next thing i just need is to get  bladder that i can fill up with water. I have a sleeve for it. I just need  a bladder. I might ask for one when i am in washington.

3. On p day i went to the temple i do personal time. Where i read and can do laundry and even sleep.  Not very much dif on p day except you can relax a little more then normal. But the day still flies by.

4.  I have really liked just being able to stay busy and being able to learn these lessons. I have felt the spirit pretty much the entire time. So that was nice to be able to know that the spirit is with me constantly.  That has  just has made me improve as a person so much more in the last couple of weeks." 

5. Ben loves anything sent through dearelder.com. - "Dear Elder is a big thing here. I really like it.  It sends stuff in one day over here and that really is nice to get things right away. So please write through that until i get out in the mission field."
6.  He says that he's getting really organized, has the first two lessons down and a few of the principles as well.
7.  He says, "I really appreciate all of the love you guys give me and would like to tell you that you have helped me through this hard and difficult process that i know is right. Please keep sending me letters and i promise  i will write back asap."

He won't be able to get any letters the same day after Monday, the 4th because he leaves for Washington on the 5th. So send him a same-day message on Monday!

His mission address beginning Oct. 5 is
Elder Benjamin Paul Anderson
Washington Kennewick Mission
8656 W. Gage Blvd. Ste 205
Kennewick, WA  99336
or e-mail him at banderson@myldsmail.net

What a Guy!

Ben's doing awesome.  His parents got another e-mail Thursday.  Ben is asking that until he leaves the MTC (Oct. 5) that we send letters/packages through dearelder.com.  His mailbox is 182 and be sure to use his middle initial (P) in his name.

Some highlights -
1.  He loves getting packages!
2.  He is busy, busy, busy from 6:30 to 10:30 even on p-days
3.  "I have really likde just being able to stay busy and being able to learn these lessons. I have felt the spirit pretty much the entire time. So that was nice to be able to know that the spirit is with me constantly. And that just has made me improve as a person so much more in the last couple of weeks."
4.  "This week I have gotten two lessons down . I have gotten a few principles down as well. That was nice to be able to keep working on those. I have gotten a  book that I can organize as well and keep my thoughts where they should be. And that is nice to be able to just know where everything is."
5.  I really appreciate all of the love you guys give me and would like to tel.l you that you have helped me through this hard and difficult process that I know is right. Please keep sending me letters and i promise  i will write back asap."
6.  "I love you all. Don't forget that."

More news from the MTC!

We got an e-mail and a letter over the last couple of days!  Every letter has mention of our Savior and His mission and it's great to read.  Here is an overview of the e-mail:

• He is getting along great with his companions and his roomies
• One of his roommates is going to the same mission he is and so that's cool
• He's really grateful for the things we have sent, probably mostly the 3 t-shirts for exercise time
• He wants his puppy to be happy and asks his family to take care of her.
• He hopes Britni is keeping busy
• He said they went to the temple and it was "kinda fun and kinda awkward" as he had a clothing malfunction there
• He says "I have so much stuff to do here. You are scheduled non stop. But I am getting used to it and I am loving the opportunity to teach. I am loving it. I got the first lesson down like that. NOw just learning lesson 2. I hope it goes as easy as lesson one."
• Say hi to the company. Tell them i am having a good time and enjoying life

The letter came today addressed to his parents.  It included comments like:

• "Thanks for the packages.  They were really nice of you."
• He gave the Ho-hos to his companion cause they aren't his favorite (news to his mother!)
• "But I already ate the Pringles and half of the Cheetos."
• He was "pretty sure I was going to lose weight the first couple days until I started getting packages and some food with my roommates."
• "Please know that Christ is our brother and he feels and felt how we have in our lows and highs.  Always go to him...Have faith in Christ."

He will be in the MTC until Oct. 5, so if you want to write to him the easy way, go to dearelder.com.  On the left side under "Send Stuff" is "Provo MTC".  Choose that option.  His first name is (of course) Benjamin but write Benjamin P., adding his middle initial.  He says it gets to him faster that way.  His Box number is 182 and his mission is Washington Kennewick, although you don't need that for a letter to the MTC.  His departure date is Oct. 5, 2010.  You can type in over 7000 words and if it's sent by noon, he'll get it the same day, no charge to you (not on weekends).

You can also send a letter this way to him in Washington and it just costs the $.44 of a stamp.  You just set up an account. 

IF YOU ARE READING THIS BLOG, PLEASE MAKE A COMMENT OR BECOME A "FOLLOWER" SO THAT BEN'S PARENTS CAN TELL HIM WHO IS READING ABOUT HIS MISSION. 

Thank-you all for your prayers for the safekeeping of our elders who are serving the Lord.

First Letter

We got a letter today from Elder Anderson who has been in the MTC since last Wednesday.  We were so excited that he wrote to us.  Here are some highlights:

• The food isn't as good as he had been lead to believe, but he thinks the salad bar is pretty good.

• He was worried that he might have trouble with his companions, but he LOVES them!

• His companion is from Gilbert, Arizona, his other roomies are from South Jordan and Las Vegas

• One of his roomies is "da bomb!"

• He doesn't have enough casual shirts

• He needs those shoe stretcher things...

• He hasn't shed a tear

So, it seems like all is well for Ben!

I'm in the MTC!

Last night was Ben's Setting Apart.  All of his immediate family was there plus his Grandma and some of his nieces and nephews.  President Howard Bangerter of the Highland East Stake set him apart with all of the family priesthood holders assisting and Bishop Barry Crosby helping as well.

Today he went into the MTC.  He was very happy.  He will be there until October 5th and then he will fly to Kennewick Washington for 23 1/2 more months!  He is going to be a powerful servant of the Lord!

Almost to the MTC!

Bye Dad.

Bye, Mom.

Happy sister, Supportive Girlfriend.

Bye Elder Anderson, Go With God!
We love you and miss you already so much but know you are where you are supposed to be and the Lord will lift you up and give you the strength you need to fulfill his purposes in you.