February 26, 2018 ~ Week 82

Hey Mom! Thank you for sharing your experience of service. It's so important to serve, and what goes around really comes around, and I know that we will be served it we find ways to do it as well.

This week was good. We are working hard here in canastica, and things are going great. I've recently been studying in Doctrine and Covenants, and I'm really enjoying it, because I've never really studied it in depth like I'm doing right now, so that's cool.

Also, thanks for sending me your DNA results. It's kind of crazy that both you AND dad have 7% from the Iberian Peninsula. That's a surprising amount! Kind of cool! 

I love you guys so much and I'm so grateful for your love and support. I hope that you all have a great week this week and that you all are successful in everything that you do.

Love, Elder Anderson

February 19, 2018 ~ Week 81

Hey Mom! This week went well. We might have a baptism in the next two weeks. We've been teaching an investigator named Juan Valentín for some time now and he's just about ready to get baptized! So that's exciting!

Oh. I actually have a request for you and Dad. I remember that a while ago you guys took a DNA test, where they track your genetics and tell you what part of the world your ancestors come from, and I was wondering if you guys could email me the results of that test. I'd be really interested in seeing it. 

But yeah. Things are great! Pretty normal, but great! This week we got some good references from the ward. The ward is actually getting better at giving us references.

But yeah! Everything's great here! We're working hard and I'm loving life! 

Love you guys, and I hope you have a great week!

Oh, and is Hunter already working on his mission papers? He'll be able to get his call either next month or in April, right? 

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Love, Elder Anderson

February 12, 2018 ~ Week 80

Hey! I got the package that you guys sent me! Thanks so much for sending it to me! I really enjoyed the beef jerky, the juicy pear jelly bellies, the letters, and I actually needed a toothbrush, so it was perfect! Thank you so much for sending that to me!

This week was normal, but it was good. My area is half of Canastica. A little town west of San Cristobal. It's a good place. We live right next to the church, so that's super convienient. We email in one of the 3 internet centers in town. But they all have their difficulties. Especially when the power goes out. But, that's life. The mission actually changed some things. We used to have a mission temple trip every 6 months, but we don't do that anymore. So I haven't been in 4 or 5 months, and the next time I'll go will be when I go home, so that's too bad. 

It's crazy that McKay is now 13 years old! That is hard to comprehend!

Sorry I don't really have any news for you. Everything's just about the same! But it's good!  Sorry this Email is so short. There's been no electricity in the town all day, and now we have an FHE to go to.I hope you have a great week! I love you and I'm praying for you always!

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Love, Elder Anderson

February 5, 2018 ~ Week 79

Hey Dad! Thank you guys for your prayers and fasting on my behalf. That's really touching and I'm grateful for all you guys do for me. I'm doing pretty well this week. Sadly, my companion was sent home this past week for transfers, but he'll have the opportunity to come back and finish his mission if he's ready in 6 months. The only communication I got from president about the whole thing was his reply to my email. 

Things are good though. My new comp is also from Guatemala and it's his last transfer in the mission. His name is Elder Zárate. He's a pretty cool dude so far, so hopefully things will continue to go well with him. 

I completely agree with you as far as having a vision and working to bring it to pass. I like what President Ballard said, that God is our perfect example of having a goal and a plan. His goal is Moses 1:39, and his plan to make that happen is the plan of salvation. I think that's why we focus so much as missionaries on our missionary purpose. I think it's a wonderful reminder though to remember my purpose and make sure to have it take effect in everything I do. I'm going to ponder that and apply it this week. 

Thanks for everything! Have a great week!
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Thanks mom! Don't worry about it! Things here are good. I've got my 3rd guatemalan comp. His name is Zárate. Things are good here. Our investigators are progressing. Good things are happening in the zone, and I'm happy and doing well.

I can't believe I already have 18 months in the mission and that hunter will be getting his mission call in the next couple months! Crazy stuff. I'm happy though, and I'm working hard!

Thanks for being the best Mom ever. I'm so grateful for you and Dad and everything you guys have taught me. I know sometimes it might be tough raising kids when it doesn't seem like your effort pays off with all the encouraging and inviting you do, but I promise that you make a bigger impact on your kids than you realize. Thanks for everything you've done for me. I can never repay you for all your service and love, but I'm trying to be more of what you want me to be and to reach the potential that you see in me. I love you mom

Love, Elder Anderson