Transferred

Hello my dearest ones, I am glad to hear from you- basketball is going
well, scouts, painting, fellowshipping, everything, how wonderful.

I am also very well, this past week was  wonderful, yesterday my companion
and I were able  to bring some wonderful people to  church with the help of
the members. Yesterday I discovered I would be transferred and was able to
here some wonderful things from the family of the bishop and the family of
the high priest group leader. It is so gratifying to see them so excited
and the members making plans and serving the ward and getting excited about
home teaching and fulfilling their callings and really sharing the gospel-
the Bishop is a great example of this. That ward is going to grow soo much
and will be the source of much service and joy.

Last week we had a family home evening with a family and watched "Together
Forever" The Husband of a member expressed afterwards his desire to be
baptized and be sealed with His family forever- what power and spirit I
felt in this statement. However at the end, and I knowing the the mother in
law had recently separated from her husband after a life time of raising
their children in the church, struggled through tears to say the prayer.
Afterwards I asked her if she would accept a blessing of comfort and
blessed her with power and authority. I feel the power of the priesthood so
strongly on the mission because I love these people so much and I know that
plan that God has for each of them. Yesterday we ate lunch with this family
after church and received many references from this faithful woman.

I'm so excited to meet new members here and work with the Bishop and
everyone, it will be a great experience, oh and I can't express the love I
feel for my fellow missionaries and I finally feel like I'm begging to
express it well. like the Prophet quoted Shakespeare, He who is not
demonstrate love- doesn't love at all.

Sorry it is a little sort. my companion is from Rio Grande do Sul Gauchu-
likes to eat meat and stuff has 24 years, he is legal. Vamos LAAAA! he says
we have a bunch of baptisms already marked, so that is awesome.

Te Amo

Elder Anderson

The Windows of Heaven Are Opening Up!

Whose got the blessings?! Well my dear family I am very happy to report
that I couldn't be more satisfied with the work that is happening in the
timing of the Lord here in Santo Antônio. This week in accordance to a
challenge from the zone leaders to mark 3 baptismal date, my companion and
I marked 4 and found some wonderful people who are really ready to receive
the restored gospel. Yesterday alone we found two couples that are just
starting up families- really cool. Quick stories with yesterday, we went to
the homes of two less active families both of which have been to the temple,
but whom haven't been going to church because of the hurt feelings, or lack
of enthusiasm about the ward, but my companion was able to share a great
testimony especially because of the experience he had returning from the
mission for 8 months and many people in the church judging him, but never
giving up his testimony that the church is true. Both of these families are
going to church Sunday. One family we blessed their sick child before we
left- the woman of this household has a rock hard faith in the Gospel,
great example for the family. The other family we spent a bunch of time
with the father who served a mission in Sao Paulo, looking at pictures from
the mission and everything, played a little football americano with his son
and sang them a Christmas song. The blessings of attending church are soo
apparent- these people are soo sad and are missing out on the sacrament.
COME HOME MY PEOPLE!

Speaking of Church, it was absolutely amazing Sunday. A recent convert
Junior, received the Priesthood, I can't express the special feeling of the
spirit and body as I had the opportunity to place my hand on his head as he
was conferred upon the power of God the responsibilities that are in
accordance. He is a great man, and will marry and serve many people
including his future children. He will baptize his nephew this next week.

Oh one other experience that happened yesterday, we were entered a
neighborhood we had never worked before and I 10 steps into the street we
found a man stricken with pain for the loss of his wife several years ago,
I felt prompted to invite him to be baptized and he accepted, we will be
returning to his house this week, it is really incredible how God places
people in our path who we must talk to. Another example that happened
yesterday, I had wanted to find this guy Mateus for the longest time, but
he was never home. we was the first contact a made in Brasilia, and we were
passing by his house so I thought to knock. And low and behold who answered
the door Mateus! but it wasn't the same Mateus that I had talked with on
the bus that day. But no matter this Mateus skates with our ward missionary
leader and was looking to be baptized, but wasn't sure were. He has 15
years, but you wouldn't believe it he is an elite.

Well, all I can say is that I hope I can stay here one more transfer to
baptize a lot, but it sure is great to see the blessing after the trial of
our faith.

Well got to go

Elder Anderson

Christmas, 6 Months and Golden Baptisms

Dear Family. . . "And a jar of hazel nut spread!!!" thank you sooooo much for the Christmas package I had Christmas eve and Christmas yesterday so I could tell how much I loved everything to you all today. I loved all of the testimonies and Austin's ring, but I don't know what it is will little Isaac, but the tears start a gatherin' when I read the perty litl' hand writin du mer little blossm. Oh and I looooooved the book covers 'Are you my mother" and the other one two, I was quite impressed with mom's drawing and coloring yeah mom! Sorry to hear you are sick by the way. i took a video of me singing the song so one day you will get to see the joy you brought me this Christmas. . . belated Christmas :)

This week we were able to baptize the sister of one of the boys who was baptized this past week. It is so great to hear from the families of this converts how they have changed so much for the better and the desire they have as well to join the Gospel and become converted as well. This week my companion and I had an appointment marked that we didn't go to at the scheduled time and heard from the other Elders that he was disappointed that we didn't go. We immediately stopped our wicked ways and crossed half the city to get to his house where he as his family where waiting, he especially wanting to be baptized. We taught the Gospel to them and necessity of marriage and already started making plans. We discovered in the visit that his cousin is a member of the church and was already planning on bringing them this Sunday. The member has been inactive for 3 months, but at church this Sunday it was great to see him and his cousin be fellowship ed. I had an accompanist on the organ this Sunday, during the final hymn oh how lovely was the morning a little boy came over and was playing notes and adding voices and even turned off the organ at one break and it was really quite funny and i just kept playing until a member picked the little boy from the organ. 

Well I am glad that we will be starting an English class in the church this Sunday and the missionaries will be giving the first class and we are going to include the members a lot in the classes. It should be great, it will be my first experience with a class, but we are putting into place plans that i received from a member in Santo Antônio. 

My companion and I were listed as "The First Golden Baptizers" on the monthly bulletin this month with our picture of the 7 baptisms on the front, it was quite exciting and what is even more exciting is that we have one more date marked for this transfer still and more for the next. The mission President is happy with us and he told me that we were going to baptized a lot together and low and behold we are leading the mission right now. 

Well we went to the waterfall again with some missionaries from the desk today, I wanted to read a little of the book of Mormon there because I feel like I'm in the story in that place, I preached to them a little bit too, like in the movie the testaments. 

i told Clark already, but my companion sent a card together with the envelope that I hope you will receive tomorrow, he will need to translate it and there is a letter for Sydney that would be nice if you could send and a flash drive with a bunch of pictures for you guys, I really hope you guys get the package. 

Well, my time is up, I love you all and I will continue to work hard and intelligently, and with patience, and humility, and the Lord will continue to bless my companion and I and the rest of the mission as well. 

With Love                                  

Elder Anderson. 

It's CHRISTMAS TIME....again!

Mother I got your package!!! it is incredible i think I'm on the 5 day of Christmas already and it is just getting better and better. My companion especially enjoyed the hazelnut spread. I told him he would have to sing the song with me if he wanted more ahaha. oh and you will be happy to know that yesterday we had a baptism and I brought the jolly ranchers and talked about how the gospel is joy and that we should share it with our friends and neighbors- i think everyone got at least one candy everyone loved it and thank you for it. All the people who were baptised yesterday were references from members and it was great to see some of the families of these young boys come to the baptism and enjoy the atmosphere and spirit. Most of the young boys who were baptized have parents that aren't involved in the greatest things, but the gospel helps us with all problems. I was able to baptize Ender a 13 year old boy who was baptized with his two younger brothers, it was my first time entering the water and it was interesting because the first time I met this young man I felt a bit of a connection with him- like I knew i would baptize him. The baptisms were performed mostly by members who helped with the teaching and friendshipping. It is great to see member missionary work. The really tall guy in the picture Garyson, baptized his friend Lucas and today we played basketball with him and another friend we are working with. I'm excited to work with the families of these recent converts- i have lots of hope.

So this Erico guy is going to arrive in at the St.George Temple on the third of February at like 5:30 or 6:00 pm your time. He will just be passing by, but tell me where you want to meet him and if it is possible and he will bring a flash drive of pictures and stuff for you guys, but he said he can't take anything back with him.  I'm thinking the visitors center would be a good place to meet? He speaks English really well and everything just let me know if you guys will be there waiting for him. He flies into Las vegas and will go straight to St.George on his way to salt Lake. He will travel with his wife and won't have a phone. So let me know. I already have a flash drive for you guys. 

Dad had a question about the area and my companion. So the area is huge. it has the city and a bunch of chacaras or farms on the outer parts it is really beautiful and we have done some serious walking and some times we will catch a ride along a dusty road, one time we got in the back of this old man's tractor thing that moved slower than we were walking. 

  My companion loves to work. He like I said was inactive and it really was a miracle that he went on a mission. Only his mother had faith that he would go. He had the same disease as Nolan I think and he said that out of the 43 kids that got this illness the same year as him he was the only one who survived.

I'm so thankful to have this opportunity to serve and learn. I had a great experience today reading a talk by Elder Packer, the reason of our hope?, and reading my Patriarchal blessing. I was reminded of the importance of humility, service, and always keeping close to the lord- I feel the presence of the Spirit is absolutely essential in our lives- we have to adjust our own masks first to be able to serve others as Christ would- thinking of conference. 

Mom thank you for your letter, sorry to hear about the sickness. Austin keep ballin, be smart, confident, and take it to the hoop man! Can't wait to hear if the child will be a boy or Girl! 

Love you All, 

Elder Anderson

Time...time...

Oh my dearest family please forgive me, but my time is gone and, because we had technical difficulties here today and I was trying to get some pictures ready for you because a member of my ward Erico and his wife are going to visit Utah next week and they said I could give something to them for you guys so I got some photos ready. I will pass your number to them dad, but I think it is actually 2 weeks from now so I can get you more details, but they will pass the st. George temple and you guys can meet them there. 

Mother the package is in the office and I asked them to bring it tomorrow- again. But thank you soo much for you letter and the scriptures you shared, you are quite impressive. 

Dad sorry about your toe, that is unfortunate, but maybe it will let you stop and think a bit too, so it isn't all bad right. 

Today we missionaries went to a waterfall that was sooooo awesome i atached one with me and another missionary. I felt like i really was in the jungle because I was. 

My companion and i have a bunch of baptisms marked for this sunday mandy of them are young, but we are working with the members and the ward is really great.

I am super happy and supper sorry this letter is soo short, but we have to help people prepare for baptism. I love you and will write better next time

Please send some type of contact for Alex Peterson for me, my companion has almost 25 years because he was inactive before the mission, but returned and left to serve God it is incredible. 

with Love

Elder Anderson

Transferred

Hello my dearest ones, I am glad to hear from you- basketball is going well, scouts, painting, fellow shipping, everything, how wonderful. 

I am also very well, this past week was  wonderful, yesterday my companion and I were able  to bring some wonderful people to  church with the help of the members. Yesterday I discovered I would be transferred and was able to here some wonderful things from the family of the bishop and the family of the high priest group leader. It is so gratifying to see them so excited and the members making plans and serving the ward and getting excited about home teaching and fulfilling their callings and really sharing the gospel- the Bishop is a great example of this. That ward is going to grow soo much and will be the source of much service and joy. 

Last week we had a family home evening with a family and watched "Together Forever" The Husband of a member expressed afterwards his desire to be baptized and be sealed with His family forever- what power and spirit I felt in this statement. However at the end, and I knowing the the mother in law had recently separated from her husband after a life time of raising their children in the church, struggled through tears to say the prayer. Afterwards I asked her if she would accept a blessing of comfort and blessed her with power and authority. I feel the power of the priesthood so strongly on the mission because I love these people so much and I know that plan that God has for each of them. Yesterday we ate lunch with this family after church and received many references from this faithful woman. 

I'm so excited to meet new members here and work with the Bishop and everyone, it will be a great experience, oh and I can't express the love I feel for my fellow missionaries and I finally feel like I'm beginning to express it well. like the Prophet quoted Shakespeare, He who is not demonstrate love- doesn't love at all. 

Sorry it is a little sort. my companion is from Rio Grande do Sul Gauchu- likes to eat meat and stuff has 24 years, he is legal. Vamos LAAAA! he says we have a bunch of baptisms already marked, so that is awesome. 

Te Amo

Elder Anderson

New shoes new shoes, la la la...

Hello my dear ones. Well that wilderness has blossomed and the desert is becoming a fruitful field. This week my companion and I marked two more dates for baptism the both of which are people we found while we were looking for someone else- funny how the Lord works that way. One is a youth of 15 years and His family whom we are going to work with as well and the other is a man of 50 or so "with a wife and a dog and family"- name that song hahahaha. We are planning a training with the word to motivate the members get involved in missionary work, one reason being that my companion and I are seeing the our investigator aren't attending church partially we feel because they don't have a friendly ward member to encourage them to go and that sort of thing, but the ward is really improving and what a blessing it is for me to see and Bishop the Shepard of the ward taking care of the lord's dear ones- he is really quite exited to get to work. 

Transfers are this weekend. I have 3 transfers here 4 and a half months it is quite likely that I will be transferred, but Elder Mattos was here 6 months so who knows, either way I am happy, especially because Santo Antônio do Descoberto vais ser mudado a Santo Antônio do Batismo! Oh transfers also means that I will receive my package! Hurrah! good news. 

This week really felt like an adventure for me. My companion and I went to other locations in our area found awesome people, worked with future missionaries of our ward, teaching families, making plans, having fun, sharing stories, singing- we for missionaries sing a lot here for the members and stuff we also joke around a lot in the house which we will probably be moving out of soon- it is really small. 

We are seeing a lot of less actives returning to church. It wonderful, one of them lent a football to my companion and I and invited us to his house for pizza latter in the week. Today I taught my companion how to play football a bit and some the words. . . down, set, hike. He is soooo funny- loves to say phrases in English. . . You making fun of me!? He is a great companion. So is Elder Schinigoski man that guy is a go getter, sometimes it gets a little tense with differing ideas, and that is were Elder Brown comes in he is humble as pie, he keeps everyone sane in Spain really a good example for me- maybe we'll be roommates at Byu after his parents have a house there I might be able to stay in with him and others- could be cool. 

Well dad thanks for the letter, Sister Earl- she needs to read the Book of Mormon everyday and pray to know if it is true and if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God- the spiritual problems will help the physical ones. We were created in the Spirit first- that should be our first priority and our health will improve and really it turns out to be a two edged sword. Like the Book of Mormon and the Bible. 

I freaked out when I heard about Austin Blocking people and stuff that big behemoth however you spell it. HAPPY BIRTHDAY meu querido! I'm writing you a letter today because last week I was unable. I still love you, but 15 years man congrats! More responsibility, more priesthood power, fulfill your calling as a teacher, be happy and smiley like always. Love you man, film some basketball of you playing so I can watch it later.

Okay so my time is up, but could you do me a favor check up on Zach Lewis and tell him that Elder Anderson had a dream about him and wants him to go to church and receive the blessings of God and the priesthood that can give him power. I am a fan of his and am worried for his welfare.

Love you all, and to all a good night

Elder Anderson

By the way glad to hear about Gramps and Grammy keep rockin and rollin you too and thanks for creating my parents!