Are You Guys Real Missionaries?

Mom,

My companion attends Utah State. She loves biology and anatomy! She wants to be a dentist or an orthodontist. She doesn't like Disneyland because she doesn't like the crowds! I think she may be more sarcastic than I am!! She is the youngest of 6 children!

The biggest thing I have learned at the MTC besides spanish is, THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME. I have learned that I think about myself way too often and that this is about helping other  people have the same oppurtunity I have had by coming unto Christ. Turn outward when I would normally just think about myself. My mindset is starting to change and its awesome!

On Monday we had exersise time during the eclipse! So we went outside and played spikeball and we borrowed some Elder's glasses so we could look at it and that was really cool!

Our devotionals this week were pretty great! Kenneth Cope, a singer, came and spoke to us and sang to us about Christ. His music is pretty great and he made us all aware that "we share the same papa"! So now our whole district constantly tells each other that we share the same papa! Its super funny!! On tuesday Elder Weatherford T. Clayton came and spoke to us and I loved it. He compared the eclipse to our lives and sometimes we can still see the gospel or the sun but the moon is blocking the way! It was awesome and I seriosuly love devotionals so much.

We have continued teaching our investigator, Adrinna, this week. She is catholic and so we had to explain why the fall was a good thing and part of the plan. Doing that in English can be sort of confusing so doing that in Spanish was all sorts of hard! But we think we made it clear and if you use scripture in your lessons it makes everything so much better!   So she loves the book of mormon and says its "muy bonita" every time she reads it. Which is great but i'm sitting there like "is it pretty enough that you believe it???" She also says she loves the way our church and information makes her feel but she doesn't want to disrespect her parents by getting baptized. ON friday we got to bring a member again and we had the same member!! that is like unheard of in the  MTC so I was so pumped! I was telling her how excited i was and the member said "sister, speak spanish"! But after that lesson our member was saying how our investigator is so close!! Its super awesome!

So our current classroom on the 5th floor is under construction so we got moved to the 1st flooor in the classroom that they used for the tours so people were constantly watching us learn and it was awkward! but one time someone asked us "Are you guys real missionaries??" It was super funny but also super weird. Like ya dude, the church just asked some random people to come act like they're learning spanish.

So the tours are officially over and I'm super sad about it! I loved seeing so many different people especially all the little kids. I also  loved the possibillity of seeing people I know so that is super lame but its all good! Seeing Lesia this week was super awesome!  We ran to each other and I am pretty sure it was super un lady like but its all good!

I have seen Harrison Hayes here so thats pretty cool! He got here like a week and a half ago!

I have played baksetball several times! There is a Hermana that lives next door who plays and its super fun! I wish I could guard the Elders but that is definitley against the rules so thats lame! But its all good, I still school em ;)

My spanish is improving. Sometimes I get super overwelmed and feel like I will never learn but its all good! I think I will be okay but I am nervous for when I get to the field and am supposed understand people that speak super fast!

Oh! And i saw Adhieu!! She works in the cafeteria! So I may get to see her more!! :)

My roommates and I in front of the legendary map!

Hermana Hathaway and I. Shes the one who plays basketball with me! She leaves a week before me and I may cry!

We Are Blessed at the MTC

Dear Family,

This week was another roller-coaster ride. Sometimes I love it here and sometimes I feel like I am never going to get out of here. Last week I got like 30 emails through the week, no joke like 30 so  I was constantly reminded of how loved I am and how many people are cheering me on. This week was not like that. I got like one a day and that was all. Which is still a lot and I know I should be thankful for that but it was rough. I know I shouldn't depend on other people to realize why I am here but it sure is nice to hear from home. But its all good.  I love getting your emails through the week. Even if it just says "thinking of ya" I especially love the pictures. I miss you guys a lot!

This Sunday, we heard from M. Russell Ballard. So that was awesome. They broadcast  it to all the MTCs in the world. But he talked about locking your heart and how God puts missionaries where they are suppose to be and when they are supposed to be there. I know that because so many things have happened here that would not happen without Heavenly Father.

We started teaching an investigator this week and she was this sweet old lady. Our Spanish is still bad and I feel like I speak like a 5 year old but its the thought that counts lol. But the Spirit was so strong in the lessons it was incredible. She was super interested in the Book of Mormon and when Christ came to the Americas so we had her read third Nephi chapters 11 and 12. On our third lesson we had a member come with us and she bore her testimony after we invited our investigator to be baptized and it was so powerful. Now I understand why people are supposed to go out with the missionaries. Especially if the missionaries don't speak the language well. Her testimony was incredible and it was one of the times that I felt the spirit the strongest here at the MTC. She then said she would go and pray about being baptized.

On Tuesday we heard form Elder Neil L. Anderson. So yes I have heard from three apostles while being here. Crazy right? He talked about not letting anyone extinguish your flame of faith. The Spirit was amazing. I was again reminded to "forget myself and go to work" I always need the reminder to forget myself and go to work because I start missing my family and friends and then start to feel bad for myself. Its super lame but its good that I get the reminder so often. He also talked about how people are being prepared for me to teach them and that was a great thing to remember because I always get nervous that I am going to come off as pushy or trying to shove the gospel in someone's face but I don't think that is what will be happening.

I got to play basketball again! Its hard to play because I can only guard girls! But I found one to play against and it was fun. Some elders make it sound like they have never seen a girl play basketball before. It makes me giggle a little! We also went and played spike ball as a district and that was super fun! I also played some 4 square! I love gym time because I see people I know on the tours. This week I saw Nathalia, you should have gotten a picture from her.... I also saw Brooke and Andrew Peterson! So that was cool! I love having the tours going because we get to see little kids all the time when normally its just a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds that act like little kids.

The time here is so weird because it feels like I didn't have a life before this but the days all blur together and I feel like I was just writing you guys!! I love you all so much! Thanks to people who have written me! You are helping me keep going! My testimony grows every day here. Its awesome, but I also don't want to stay here forever hahahah! but I need to stay longer because Spanish!

I love you all so much!!!

All 3 Hermana Andersons in the zone.

Be Happy, Have Cheer, and Count Your Blessings

Hola familia!

I GOT YOUR PACKAGE and it was amazing. Thanks so much mom.

The MTC is such a roller coaster ride. Its so great. This week has been fantastic!! I totally understand why everyone says to make it to Sunday. Sunday was incredible. I felt the Spirit so strong all day. Our devotional was with Jenny Oaks Baker (I feel super lame that I didn't know that she was Elder Oak's child but now I do so its good) and it was awesome. She and her kids played a bunch of songs for us and she talked about some experiences they've had an it was just super cool. Then the whole MTC was required to watch "Character of Christ" by Elder Bednar. That talked about how we need to turn away from the natural man and turn outward like Christ would do when the natural instinct would be to turn inward. That hit me super hard and I realized I needed to stop feeling bad for myself and get to work. I had been missing my family and friends so much because you all are so awesome and I just love ya but it was making this work super hard. I still miss ya, I promise but its different. But after character of Christ the MTC president said he had a surprise for us and Elder Bednar and his wife came  and did a question and answer session with the whole MTC for an hour. Anyone that had any questions about The Character of Christ was able to ask him questions. It was amazing. The Spirit that an apostle of God brings is so amazing. At one point in time Sister Bednar was asked why they are always so happy so she answered but during her answer she said "Be happy, have cheer and count your blessings." I was reminded again of how blessed I am to know so many great people and have such a great family and I should be thankful for you all instead of being sad that I can't see ya. Its all good and that hour was seriously life changing and mission motivating. SO COOL!!!!!

On Monday Heavenly Father blessed me again with CHICK FIL A dinner. Oh my heck, it was awesome. I definitely needed that. So that was super awesome and then the elders thought I couldn't eat two sandwiches and I totally proved them wrong! hahahahh!! So yes mom(s) I am eating!!!

On Tuesday we had to take this Spanish test and it was so discouraging because I am terrible at Spanish. I actually cried like two tears after because I was so upset but then I realized I still hadn't been in the MTC for a week and I should chill out.

We taught our investigator three more times and it improved. The third and fourth lesson the spirit was even there which is amazing considering I don't know Spanish. Then we had a devotional that night with Elder Sitati from the 70 and his wife. I was reminded that I have people on both sides of the veil cheering me on and I was called by God to do this work.

My roommates and I figured out this week that we are all related. Like 6th cousins and 8th cousins hahaha! Hermana Anderson and I both feel like we have known each other our entire lives and that we have met before!

On Friday, my district was assigned to the tour so yes, I was at the end of the tour and got to talk to like a million people. It was so great. That's how you got all those pictures and then the lady that kinda supervises our dorm had to come to our room for something and I asked her to send you a pic. I got you mom, I'm glad you liked them! :) I'm always thinking of my family.

For gym, I have played basketball but it is hard to find a girl that knows how to play to guard me because I can't guard an Elder but its funny to see some elders react when they see I can make a 3 point shot! Our district is super close so we go play kickball and volley ball together and it is so fun. We are not the most athletic bunch and that makes it more fun! The grass was wet when we played kickball and everyone kept slipping and it was hilarious.

My schedule most of the time is breakfast, class for three hours, study time, lunch, study time, work out, study time, dinner, class, bedtime. Or its mixed up a little but that is generally how it goes. My companion and I get along really well and we love to talk so we get distracted a lot during our studies. We are already super close and have planned hanging out after the mission already. We decided that I'm and extroverted version of her and she is an introverted version of me. We both have super analytical personalities which can be good and bad at times but its great.

The Spirit at the MTC is so amazing and at first I couldn't really feel it but once I started to look for it,  I can feel it all the time. I also kind of didn't love it here at first but now I would recommend this to anyone even though it is hard.

Sorry this is so long. If you managed to make it to the end thank you and I have a question for you. Do you think Satan has the power to work harder on a group of people(missionaries)? Hermana Welch thinks that since we can feel the Spirit so strong that we can feel the other side as well? Thoughts are welcome.

I love you all!

My roommates and I. Hermana Welch is the tall one. My companion is next to me and Hermana Anderson is in chevron

My district

P-Day is Today!!!!!

Hola amigos!

P-day Saturday!!!!  These first couple days have been really long but I also feel like I don't have enough time in the day to do everything. My companion is Hermana Powell. She is from Bountiful and is going to Modesto, California. Our personalities mesh really well,  we are both really sarcastic and we learn a lot a like so that is  nice. We are sharing a room with two other girls, Hermana Welsch and Hermana Anderson. Hermana Anderson is from Idaho, we all joke that we are twins because we share birthday. We are always with them, it is like we are in a trio almost.

We all taught our first lesson yesterday and that was seriously so hard. I couldn't understand anything he said and he had a hard time understanding us because our Spanish is so broken. Its hard to not get down on ourselves but I am trying to stay positive. I don't think my companion trusts me quite yet when it comes to teaching so that is kind of frustrating. 

The food here makes you feel like you're eating fast food and I don't love it. but its alright, I promise I am eating it anyways. People here are always so nice. I love it. I miss home but its alright. I am sure it gets easier. I can do hard things.  Spanish is rough but I have to remind myself that I have only been here a few days. I always tell myself "Puedo hacer cosas dificiles" I can do hard things. Please continue praying for me because this is hard. 

Also, I can say my testimony in Spanish and pray. Its not to awesome and I have to read it most of the time but I can do it.

I love all of you guys and would love to here from you all! Thanks for all your love and support!!

This pic is of my roommates, my companion is the one right next to me

Soon to be Missionary

Well friends, it practically here. I leave for my mission to Richmond Virgina on August 2nd. Boy, am I excited. I've been waiting for what feels like forever for this time.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone in my life. So many people have impacted my life and helped me become who I am. I really wouldn't be going on a mission if it weren't for some of you. So thank you so so much. I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many people who are so supportive of my decision to serve a mission. Thanks to all who cam and heard my speak, it was so great to look out and see so many faces who love and care about me.

Shout out to my family. If you haven't met my family, you should because they are the best. Seriously, the most incredible group of people. I couldn't ask for a more supportive, loving family. I am sure going to miss them. I love you all very much.

I am truly blessed to have the gospel in my life, hence why I am going to share the gospel with the people of Virginia. I want to leave my testimony with y'all.

This gospel is so true. It is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ came to this earth FOR YOU, because He wanted to. He gave up His life for every single one of us. No one is the exception to that. Heavenly Father sent His only begotten son so He could save all of His other children. That is truly incredible. We have the most powerful force in this universe on our side. Cheering us on. Wanting us to succeed.
Joseph Smith was called by God to restore this gospel. There is not a doubt in my mind about that. He translated the Book of Mormon. He could not have done it if this gospel weren't true. The Book of Mormon is the most true book on this earth. It testifies of Christ and His life.
I know Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet of God. He receives revelation for the entire church.
I know this gospel is the answer to where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. We are going home to a loving Heavenly Father who sent us here to learn. There is so much more than life on earth. I promise. Christ is waiting for you, with arms open wide. He wants us to be happy and have cheer. This scripture will be my motto on my mission D&C 68:6 "Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you and will stand by you. And ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come." I know Christ lives. He was resurrected by the power of God. he overcame the sins of the world for us. He conquered death so we too and can conquer death. I leave these words with you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.

Girls Camp 2017

I went to girls camp July 10-14. It was amazing. I loved it. My spiritual bucket is so full.  I got to go as a stake leader rather than as a  youth and I loved almost every minute of it. It was such a different experience than what I'm used to. As a leader I had such a different perspective about things and about the girls. (Side note: I am also the Laurels advisor in my ward and its so crazy that being a leader brings so much more love for the girls than I ever thought possible.) I got to be behind the scenes which was nice. I loved making camp great for the girls. Girls camp holds such a special place in my heart because it was so influential in my life. I am so thankful I was able to have a part in making girls camp great for the younger girls.

Both of my parents were at girls camp with me and it was seriously so awesome to share this with them. I was totally overwhelmed with love. I have always known I have a pretty big support group behind me but I was completely overwhelmed with the love that was shown to me up there. I know that Heavenly Father and Christ were aware of everything I needed there. There was always someone or something to pick me up, mentally, physically, and spiritually. It was so incredible. I don't even know how to describe it. I truly felt charity especially from the people I was serving with on the stake camp committee and from a few other leaders.

Girls camp is such a unique place. Not many other places can you gather 12-18 year old girls that are all so eager to learn about their Savior. The Spirit at our stake property is already insane but you add 150 people who are constantly seeking Christ and The Spirit of God and it gets to the point where your heart is always burning and pounding a million times a minute. Its one of my favorite places on this earth. If you've ever been up to our stake property, consider yourself a lucky soul. I also love the stars that we can see up there. This week, there was not night I was in bed before 1 in the a.m. There were a few factors in this but one of them was definitely the stars. I love looking at them and thinking about how many there are. They are so beautiful and I know Heavenly Father loves it when we enjoy His creations.

Children, all I'm saying is you need to go to girls camp. If you are a teenage girl you bet your bottom dollar you will be at girls camp. If you're a boy it may be a little trickier to find your way to girls camp, but if you are ever invited as a priesthood holder, bishopric member, or stake presidency member, take it. Take the chance and run, run fast. Its so worth it. It will be an unforgettable opportunity.

Thank you to those up at girls camp with me. It was such an amazing experience and I am so glad I got to spend it with such incredible women. Some of you helped me in just the ways I needed and in ways I wouldn't have been able to get anywhere else. (more pics to come)

What if it is not true?

A couple of years ago, I had a conversation with someone who is not a member of the LDS church. They knew the gospel is a HUGE part of my life and they asked "what if it is not true?". I was kind of stunned and came back with a response similar to: I know it is true.  I am positive this gospel is true. I know with all my heart. Then they said, but what if???

I have been thinking about this conversation a lot lately. I know this is a question Satan is trying to sneak into my brain. Sorry Satan, but I cannot doubt this gospel. It just doesn't happen and nothing will stop me from living and loving this gospel. But lets just try and say what if? Then I would probably still live this gospel because nothing makes me happier. I have never been happier than when I am completely enthralled in the gospel. I know this gospel is true because a person does not feel the way I feel in the temple about something that isn't right. I don't uncontrollably cry happy and joyful tears over something that is wrong. I have had the best moments and memories of my life because of this gospel. It brings my family closer together. Knowing my family can be together forever because of this gospel makes me smile every time I think about it. 

I can't really comprehend this gospel not being true. I definitely have my questions and sometimes my doubts but then President Uchtdorf's quote "doubt your doubts before you ever doubt your faiths" comes to mind. Then I think about all the times I have felt happiness because of the gospel. I think about how there is no way Joseph Smith could have written the entire Book Of Mormon with the little schooling he had. The miracles of the saints coming to Utah, do not add up with out the help of Heavenly Father. My life does not add up without the help of Heavenly Father. I know this gospel is true. I know Christ lives. I know the Book of Mormon is the most true book on the earth. I know Joseph Smith restored the gospel to this earth. Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet. I know with everything in my heart that Christ died for us. I know that through Christ's Atonement we can live with our Heavenly Father for all eternity. There is no "What if it is not true?" because it is true. 

I love the temple.
Photo cred: Heidi Anderson