Thursday, December 23, 2010, 1:13 PM
Familie,
Well I just want to say thank you to everyone for the treats and goodies and also christmas cards and so on, I may be able to write some people but just know if you sent me a card or something. . . Thank you very much. ;-)
P.S. Mom I don't have the Majorka's address. . . So I can't send them a letter.
I hope you got my hand written letter I sent last week. . . it has my flight schedule and everything on it also my address for Germany. . . which is the mission home address, so you probably do have it written somewhere.
Well this is so exciting. . . this will be my last email sent from the MTC. . .the next one will be sent from Germany!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I have written in my letter I mailed last week. . . I am the Travel Leader over 15 Elders and 2 other sisters going to Berlin! I am so nervous because now I have to keep track of everyone and make the phone calls if something happens. But anyways. So flight plans. . . I may call from the Salt Lake Airport, but don't count on that one too much. . . But I will be for sure be calling from the JFK airport in New York. I don't know time differences from Texas and New York, but we will be landing in New York at 3:09 p.m and then departing at 7:40 p.m. So transfer that over to Texas time and I will be calling between 3:09 and 7:40. I know you said Eric might want to do a conference call, but I don't have Eric's number. Just to give you the rest of my flight information. . . I will be leaving Salt Lake at 8:30 a.m on Tuesday Dec. 28th and arriving in New York at 3:09 p.m. . . I then will be departing New York at 7:40 p.m and arriving in Berlin at 10:00 a.m on Wednesday Dec. 29th.
So onto some other stuff. . . Well on Sunday we had a wonderful speaker in Relief Society and her name is Rebecca L Thompson and her and her husband not long ago got released as the Mission president from the Hamburg Mission in Germany since it got split up into the Berlin and Frankfurt missions. She talked about the word JOY. .. The 'J' stands for Jesus, the 'O' stands for others, and the "Y" stands for Yourself.
We are to first ask ourselves, "What would my life be without the Christ child? and then ask, "What would JESUS do?" Being on a mission means to Do, Say, and Be what the Savior does, says, and is. We are then to realize that Jesus knows everyone and everyone you will be in contact with and we are to ask him, "what is his will for us that day." We are then not to surpress a single generous thought we have in our mind. . whether it is picking up a pencil someone dropped or so on. We are to concern ourselves with OTHER, then there is less time to concern about ourselves. . . and finally When we lose ourselves in Service,. . you then find YOURSELF.
So we are to create JOY in our lives now by serving and telling everyone, "I'm here for you."
THINK. . . ACT. .. TALK. .. CONDUCT YOURSELF!!
I really enjoyed that talk and we should stive to have that Christmas JOY all year round.
As I'm getting things packed and ready to go to Germany. . . I will NEVER SURPRESS A GENEROUS THOUGHT. .. as I will be the travel leader to take care of the rest of the missionaries going to Berlin and then as I continue to come in contact with individuals throught out my long travel.
Well on a side note. . . Sister Browne (please keep her in your prayers) she has actually been transfered to one of the missions in England, because of her allergy and her reactions she needs to be closer to her home in England.
So I am way excited for Christmas even though most of the day will be packing. . . I will be writing letters today and Christmas though because we are told to write on Christmas day!!! I think the thing I am most excited for is to sing Silent Night in German on Christmas Eve.
Germans do not sing Silient Night unless it's Christmas Eve night. . It is a German Tradition to sing that song only on Christmas Eve. . . So to be part of that tradition my district is saving that song!!! so exciting ;-)
Well i'm sorry my emails aren't so detailed, but since I have more time to write hand written letters, more stuff goes into those!!!
I love y'all and spread the true meaning of Christmas.
At this time next week I will be serving the people of GERMANY!!!!!! chow ;-)
Love Sister Brittany Anderson!!!!!
dear familie
I just wanted to say ... "the worth of souls is great in the eyes of God." Yesterday I almost saw someone's life taken from this life. I was at gym and normally I play volleyball, but I felt awful and so I went to go sit on the balcony with Sister Browne. I needed to talk to Sisgter Peltier, so Sister Ditrich went to find Sister Peltier to send her down to me. As I was sitting there waiting, Sister Peltier came down the stairs and I stood up to talk to her when all of a sudden Sister Browne was having difficulty breathing and immediately grabbed her throat. She was having another allergic reaction. I immediately took off to the volleyball court to get Sister Smith. The gym trainers came up and Elder Chambers ran to get her epi pens. Sisgter Browne was laying there suffocating and a few times her eyes closed and we couldn't get any response. We used two epi pens and if it wasn't as quick as we were ... Sister Browne would be dead.
I just want to say that I have never witnessed someone's life being taken. But I know God loves his missionaries and I have a strong testiimony on eternal life. I know we will all live again.
I think I've told y'all before, but every week we have to prepare a talk in German but it's not until President Curtis is announcing the speakers in Sac. meeting that we find out who it is. Last Sunday I was the lucky one to speak in German about enduring to the end. Also the spoken word on Sunday was awesome. It was the Christmas program and David Archuleta sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Well, y'all will probably get this letter after I call you on Tuesday. But I will write on Christmas to tell y'all about my Christmas in the MTC. I love y'all and talk to y'all soon!
PS - Blake & Lindsay, Garrett, Caleb: Thank y'all for the gift ... I loved it :)
Eric &* Kiersten: Thanks for the yummy goodies and the board. I really love that to write on!
That is exciting about Emily & Katie - I wish I had their addresses.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Less than a week and a half!!! (Dec. 16, 2010)
Dear Familie,
Well, I love writing letters to people because it makes me happy. . . I am perfectly happy about sending letters to them. . . just because it probably won't really happen all too much while I am in Germany. But I will go ahead and thank the Whitings for the Christmas card and also the Bishopric for their Christmas Card here on the Email!!!! So thank y'all for the cards!! They were very beautiful :-)
Well thanks for sending the packages. . . they should probably come today. . . also I actually just found out that they stop accepting packages after the 21st for local deliveries. . . so y'all are ok sending stuff after the 21st. Letters can still come and of course, the holiday days there won't be any deliveries. I am flying out like 6:00 or something in the morning on December 28th. . . So the 27th will be the last day I would be here to receive mail!. . . I will let y'all know the address. . which at this time is the Mission Home address in Berlin.
Well I am really excited!! tonight I recieve my flight plans. . . it is really happening now and in less than a week and a half I will be flying off to Berlin for the next 16 months. A few days ago we sisters in the MTC received a letter from Sister Reisnmay. We were very pleased with her letter because she told us that she doesn't understand a single thing people are saying and all she does is smile and nod her head. lol. It makes us feel a little more relaxed. .. She also said that Sister Wakefield already has 2 baptisms lined up for this month and they have only been there for a few weeks!! I am so excitied. She also said that it is freezing freezing in Germany right now and that she highly recomends boots, a warm winter coat and all that winter stuff. Hopefully mine can hold out for their winters. . . she said that you can easily get all that there though. . .She also recommends that when we get there to buy Alpaca Wool Socks. . She says those are the best to wear in your boots and to get those once we are in Germany. I am so excited!!
Well first off to Dad. . . If you want to call me Schwester then spell it S-C-H-W-E-S-T-E-R ... not Schuester.
Kimberly did send powder in the package . . . just sayin' and also thanks to Dad for getting me a disney globe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sister Browne is doing well. . . she is deathly allergic to shellfish and just needs to be near the food she is eating to have an effect on her. . . So for the next week and a half the Cafeteria is banned from having shellfish in their kitchen. I don't know the plans for Sister Browne yet, but she might get transfered to the Frankfurt mission because they have better health clinics in that mission.
Well Devotional this week was amazing. . On Sunday the BYU- Men's Choir came and performed a concert. . . I guess they come once a year to the MTC. One of the Men spoke in the Choir who is from Taiwan. I can't remember all the names or the last name of his family, but he is the youngest and before he was born his Parents met the Missionaries. . . then years later the family was baptised in Taiwan in the year 2005. . So Eric I don't know if you knew a young boy named Roger on your Mission, he would have been a young teenager. . But I thought of you as he told his families conversion story.
Then on Tuesday Paul B. Pieper of the 1st Q. of the 70 spoke alot on Agency. . One thing he said that stood out to me was "Without Christ. . . no matter what choice we make. . . There is no way we could return to God." He then went on to say that while being on a mission "This is the only time we will come closet to how Christ was." I really liked that and ask y'all to think about that too and the choices you make here on the earth.
I love all of y'all and Dad you should go see Harry Potter cause I need some one to tell me about it!! and Thanks to Kimberly for the best postcard ever!!!!!!!
Love y'all and next Thursday will be my last P-day in the MTC and so I'll say more in my letter for I am out of time!!!
Chow~~
Sister Brittany Anderson
dear familie,
Not much really happened this week. I am so ready to leave the MTC!
I just got back from class ... it was sad b/c Brother Duvall, one of out teacher's last day ... he played as one of my investigators and he showed us the investigaqtors that he was portraying pictures from Germany.
We got our flights plans today ...
We are flying to JFK and then we have a four hour layover and at some point of that layover I will be calling home. So figure out the time distance between NY and Texas ... which shouldn't be hard since Blake lives there. On top of that I have been chosen to be the travel leader ... so I am responsible for getting 17 other missionaries safely to Germany. I feel so overwhelmed by this resonsibility. I am in charge to make sure everyone has and stays with their companion. I'm responsible for their behavior and obedience to mission rules. And if anything happens with the flights, such as cancellation, delays, etc., I have to call Church Travel, but if we already have left the country, I must call the mission president. Once there I need to make sure veryone gets their luggage and go the mission president. I am so nervous for this responsibility.
I got my shot and I have to pay 70 something dollars for it ... I also pay for my second luggage ... so that is $50. We are only allowed one carryon so to avoid me having to check in a 3rd suitcase I will put my backpack in my smallest suitcase to carry on b/c we apparently can't take one suitcase and a personal item on. Otehrwise it will cost $200 dollars to check a 3rd suitcase in.
Thanks for the package ... I loved it all!
I am so scared, but I know I am not alone. This is the Lord's church ... he would never abandon someone doing his work.
I love y'all1
Love, Sister Anderson
Well, I love writing letters to people because it makes me happy. . . I am perfectly happy about sending letters to them. . . just because it probably won't really happen all too much while I am in Germany. But I will go ahead and thank the Whitings for the Christmas card and also the Bishopric for their Christmas Card here on the Email!!!! So thank y'all for the cards!! They were very beautiful :-)
Well thanks for sending the packages. . . they should probably come today. . . also I actually just found out that they stop accepting packages after the 21st for local deliveries. . . so y'all are ok sending stuff after the 21st. Letters can still come and of course, the holiday days there won't be any deliveries. I am flying out like 6:00 or something in the morning on December 28th. . . So the 27th will be the last day I would be here to receive mail!. . . I will let y'all know the address. . which at this time is the Mission Home address in Berlin.
Well I am really excited!! tonight I recieve my flight plans. . . it is really happening now and in less than a week and a half I will be flying off to Berlin for the next 16 months. A few days ago we sisters in the MTC received a letter from Sister Reisnmay. We were very pleased with her letter because she told us that she doesn't understand a single thing people are saying and all she does is smile and nod her head. lol. It makes us feel a little more relaxed. .. She also said that Sister Wakefield already has 2 baptisms lined up for this month and they have only been there for a few weeks!! I am so excitied. She also said that it is freezing freezing in Germany right now and that she highly recomends boots, a warm winter coat and all that winter stuff. Hopefully mine can hold out for their winters. . . she said that you can easily get all that there though. . .She also recommends that when we get there to buy Alpaca Wool Socks. . She says those are the best to wear in your boots and to get those once we are in Germany. I am so excited!!
Well first off to Dad. . . If you want to call me Schwester then spell it S-C-H-W-E-S-T-E-R ... not Schuester.
Kimberly did send powder in the package . . . just sayin' and also thanks to Dad for getting me a disney globe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sister Browne is doing well. . . she is deathly allergic to shellfish and just needs to be near the food she is eating to have an effect on her. . . So for the next week and a half the Cafeteria is banned from having shellfish in their kitchen. I don't know the plans for Sister Browne yet, but she might get transfered to the Frankfurt mission because they have better health clinics in that mission.
Well Devotional this week was amazing. . On Sunday the BYU- Men's Choir came and performed a concert. . . I guess they come once a year to the MTC. One of the Men spoke in the Choir who is from Taiwan. I can't remember all the names or the last name of his family, but he is the youngest and before he was born his Parents met the Missionaries. . . then years later the family was baptised in Taiwan in the year 2005. . So Eric I don't know if you knew a young boy named Roger on your Mission, he would have been a young teenager. . But I thought of you as he told his families conversion story.
Then on Tuesday Paul B. Pieper of the 1st Q. of the 70 spoke alot on Agency. . One thing he said that stood out to me was "Without Christ. . . no matter what choice we make. . . There is no way we could return to God." He then went on to say that while being on a mission "This is the only time we will come closet to how Christ was." I really liked that and ask y'all to think about that too and the choices you make here on the earth.
I love all of y'all and Dad you should go see Harry Potter cause I need some one to tell me about it!! and Thanks to Kimberly for the best postcard ever!!!!!!!
Love y'all and next Thursday will be my last P-day in the MTC and so I'll say more in my letter for I am out of time!!!
Chow~~
Sister Brittany Anderson
dear familie,
Not much really happened this week. I am so ready to leave the MTC!
I just got back from class ... it was sad b/c Brother Duvall, one of out teacher's last day ... he played as one of my investigators and he showed us the investigaqtors that he was portraying pictures from Germany.
We got our flights plans today ...
We are flying to JFK and then we have a four hour layover and at some point of that layover I will be calling home. So figure out the time distance between NY and Texas ... which shouldn't be hard since Blake lives there. On top of that I have been chosen to be the travel leader ... so I am responsible for getting 17 other missionaries safely to Germany. I feel so overwhelmed by this resonsibility. I am in charge to make sure everyone has and stays with their companion. I'm responsible for their behavior and obedience to mission rules. And if anything happens with the flights, such as cancellation, delays, etc., I have to call Church Travel, but if we already have left the country, I must call the mission president. Once there I need to make sure veryone gets their luggage and go the mission president. I am so nervous for this responsibility.
I got my shot and I have to pay 70 something dollars for it ... I also pay for my second luggage ... so that is $50. We are only allowed one carryon so to avoid me having to check in a 3rd suitcase I will put my backpack in my smallest suitcase to carry on b/c we apparently can't take one suitcase and a personal item on. Otehrwise it will cost $200 dollars to check a 3rd suitcase in.
Thanks for the package ... I loved it all!
I am so scared, but I know I am not alone. This is the Lord's church ... he would never abandon someone doing his work.
I love y'all1
Love, Sister Anderson
Was Machen Die??? (Dec. 9th letter)
Hallo Familie,
Diesen ist einen Wunderbaren Tag!!!!!
So where do I even start with this week!!!!!
Lots will have to go into my mailed letter home, but to start off if any one is planning on sending a package to me for Christmas. . . it should be sent in time that it will get to me by December 21st. The 21st is the last day the MTC will be accepting packages for the Christmas Holiday. . . also I leave on the 28th and so if y'all plan on writing letters probably have that be y'all's deadline as well because who know if I will get it by the 28th considering we have the holidays and then a weekend.
I am so nervous, excited and all other crazy words because in just a few days I will be getting my flight plans for Germany. . . . I am able to call my family during my layover times at the airport on the 28th. . . I will further let y'all know on what times my layovers are so you could possibly expect a phone call sometime on the 28th.
I really don't know where to start for this last week. . . Sister Browne scared us most of the week. She spent four out the last 7 days in the hospital. . . One night at at 1:00 in the morning I heard somebody in the room struggling with their breathing and seriously sounded like they could possibly die at any moment. . . Sister Peltier woke up as well and climbed out of her bed to see what was happening. She flipped on the light to find Sister Browne lying on the floor fighting for air. She was sufficating. With her not being able to breathe. . . I threw on long pants and my tennis shoes ready to act on whatever I needed to do. I gently woke up Sister Smith. . . It being 1:30 in the morning now. Sister Smith immediately ran over to Sister Browne's side and I couldn't help but have tears in my eyes seeing my beloved Sister who is the only member in her family and the only missionary within 40 years from her ward fighting for air. Sister Peltier went out in the hall to call the front desk. . a few moments later they came and called for an ambulance. 2:00 in the morning we had paramedics/mdts. . . whatever you call them, in our room giving Sister Browne oxygen from some sort of tube. I was still in tears and so scared. . and it hurt me because I saw the fear of this possibly being it within Sister Browne's eyes. About an half an hour later they left and took Sister Browne with them to the hospital. . . I didn't end up falling asleep until 3:30 having only a few more hours until I needed to be up again. The faith and spirit in that room was the best feeling ever. ..
Well I can honestly say Sister Browne is for sure back to her self. (we are both planning on being roommates at BYU-Idaho when we get back) anyways, She hid in my wardrobe/closet last night and I came back into the room and as I opened my wardrobe I see this cheesy grin and a voice saying "Was Machen Sie?" It totally freaked me out and yes, I did scream, shut the wardrobe and ran out of the room. Sister Browne tends to like scaring me alot. But yesterday I must say I probably deserved it some because I accidently sprayed her in the mouth with air freshener. . it was a complete accident though.
We got 30 new elders and one new sister yesterday. . . crazy. . .I havn't met them all yet.
As far as stuff for Christmas. . . I did get my marykay stuff this week. . So no need to worry about that. Thank you Kimberly.
Also I wrote some things. . . like knee high socks, no show nylon socks, I don't really need more scarfs. . .I can do with what I have. I know that in my mission call envelope there is like some kind of proclamation in german. . .I can't remember if it is the living christ or the family, but could y'all send me that. I really can't think of things I really need at the moment. Just love will suit me fine. I think a German CTR ring would be call, but again I don't really need one.
So today at the Temple I went to go do sealings for the first time. . . question: which room did, mom and dad, get sealed in? do you remember? it would be cool to go into that room. Anyways. I loved the feeling in there. I could really feel that families are important and the day I get married will be a special day.
I am so grateful that our family is forever.
I know that this is the true church. . . yesterday Sister Peltier and I taught one of our proxy progressing investigators and we invited him to be baptised. . . even though it wasn't real. . the spirit was so wonderful and I can't wait to have the realy feeling of someone really going to be making those promises with God in German!!!!! only 19 more days.....AHHHH!!!
I love everyone and thanks for the letters and for the love and support!!! from New York to California. . .all of y'all's love is appreciated!!!
Love
Sister Anderson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Handwritten letter
dear familie,
So, first of all it was really funny ... Elder Krieger in my district has 3 or so girlfriends writing to him and he gets this 24 page letter from one of them and this is the conversation that went on when he opened the envelope:
- Elder Marshall: "I would hate to read all that"
- Elder Harris (looks at E. Marshall): Where's the spirit of Christmas in you?"
- Elder Marshall: "What's that to do with letters?"
Ok, so it was pretty funny when they all said it, but yeah.
So I don't brag or say a whole lot about Texas, my pride of being from Texas doesn't come out ... Last week when Elder Myers said that and hurt my feelings - all I was doing was saying that snow isn't my favorite thing.
As much as these elders are trying to be gentlemen and I respect them for that ... some of them need patience. Last p-day at dinner I was sitting next to Elder Birth. Now the elders always take our trays when we are done and this time I was still drinking my water and Elder Birth was waiting to take my glass when I wasn't finishing my drink b/c I still had an apple I was finishing ... when I went to take a bite he tapped my wrist which caused me to hit my tooth with my apple. Meine gutte! These elders are learning by their mistakes!
I have a goal that only on Mondays, Wed, and Saturdays I only speak German. Next week or my last week that may change to make days ... as we say in America, "cross your fingers" or in Germany "press your thungs for me".
This last Sunday, Fast Sunday, I decided to bare my testimony. I was so nervous b/c it has to be only in German. but this was my testimony.
"Ich wieb, himmlicher vater ist unser Himmlicher Vater und er hat Jesus Christus auf die erde gesandt fur uns. In Johannes 3:16 ies sagt "Denn bott hat die weit so sehr geliebt, class er einen sienen einzigen sohn Hingab, damit jeder der es ihnen glaubt. Nicht zugrunde gent, sundem das ewige leben hat."
Well, I said some more, but that's what I can mostly remember.
While here at the MTC I have discovered how simple the gospel is ... sometimes as members of the curch we make it complex. I challenge all y'all that as families sit down and study Preach My Gospel with one another and you come to realize how simple and easy teaching it can be. All we do as missionaries is Invite, Help and Teach. The rest is for the individual who must commit and come unto Christ. Share the gospel. You never truly understand the value of member missionary work until you are a missionary and see the impact and how much we actually depend on them ... so I invite all those to study Preach my Gospel as families and to make goals based on the teachings from it.
My closing remarks:
On Sunday during mission conference Sister Clegg, wife to the MTC 2nd counselor, talked about Mary and we need to acknowledge the woman this time of year. She endured to the end. Her qualities are:
faithfully obeyed, worthy, humble, served others first, joyous, raised her family to God. That evening we all watched the First Presidency Christmas devosiontal - so good.
Then on Tuesday, Elder Craig W. Zwick of the Seventies came and spoke on coming cloiser to Christ.
"To help others know Christ ... We need to personally come to know Christ."
Love y'all,
Sister Anderson
Diesen ist einen Wunderbaren Tag!!!!!
So where do I even start with this week!!!!!
Lots will have to go into my mailed letter home, but to start off if any one is planning on sending a package to me for Christmas. . . it should be sent in time that it will get to me by December 21st. The 21st is the last day the MTC will be accepting packages for the Christmas Holiday. . . also I leave on the 28th and so if y'all plan on writing letters probably have that be y'all's deadline as well because who know if I will get it by the 28th considering we have the holidays and then a weekend.
I am so nervous, excited and all other crazy words because in just a few days I will be getting my flight plans for Germany. . . . I am able to call my family during my layover times at the airport on the 28th. . . I will further let y'all know on what times my layovers are so you could possibly expect a phone call sometime on the 28th.
I really don't know where to start for this last week. . . Sister Browne scared us most of the week. She spent four out the last 7 days in the hospital. . . One night at at 1:00 in the morning I heard somebody in the room struggling with their breathing and seriously sounded like they could possibly die at any moment. . . Sister Peltier woke up as well and climbed out of her bed to see what was happening. She flipped on the light to find Sister Browne lying on the floor fighting for air. She was sufficating. With her not being able to breathe. . . I threw on long pants and my tennis shoes ready to act on whatever I needed to do. I gently woke up Sister Smith. . . It being 1:30 in the morning now. Sister Smith immediately ran over to Sister Browne's side and I couldn't help but have tears in my eyes seeing my beloved Sister who is the only member in her family and the only missionary within 40 years from her ward fighting for air. Sister Peltier went out in the hall to call the front desk. . a few moments later they came and called for an ambulance. 2:00 in the morning we had paramedics/mdts. . . whatever you call them, in our room giving Sister Browne oxygen from some sort of tube. I was still in tears and so scared. . and it hurt me because I saw the fear of this possibly being it within Sister Browne's eyes. About an half an hour later they left and took Sister Browne with them to the hospital. . . I didn't end up falling asleep until 3:30 having only a few more hours until I needed to be up again. The faith and spirit in that room was the best feeling ever. ..
Well I can honestly say Sister Browne is for sure back to her self. (we are both planning on being roommates at BYU-Idaho when we get back) anyways, She hid in my wardrobe/closet last night and I came back into the room and as I opened my wardrobe I see this cheesy grin and a voice saying "Was Machen Sie?" It totally freaked me out and yes, I did scream, shut the wardrobe and ran out of the room. Sister Browne tends to like scaring me alot. But yesterday I must say I probably deserved it some because I accidently sprayed her in the mouth with air freshener. . it was a complete accident though.
We got 30 new elders and one new sister yesterday. . . crazy. . .I havn't met them all yet.
As far as stuff for Christmas. . . I did get my marykay stuff this week. . So no need to worry about that. Thank you Kimberly.
Also I wrote some things. . . like knee high socks, no show nylon socks, I don't really need more scarfs. . .I can do with what I have. I know that in my mission call envelope there is like some kind of proclamation in german. . .I can't remember if it is the living christ or the family, but could y'all send me that. I really can't think of things I really need at the moment. Just love will suit me fine. I think a German CTR ring would be call, but again I don't really need one.
So today at the Temple I went to go do sealings for the first time. . . question: which room did, mom and dad, get sealed in? do you remember? it would be cool to go into that room. Anyways. I loved the feeling in there. I could really feel that families are important and the day I get married will be a special day.
I am so grateful that our family is forever.
I know that this is the true church. . . yesterday Sister Peltier and I taught one of our proxy progressing investigators and we invited him to be baptised. . . even though it wasn't real. . the spirit was so wonderful and I can't wait to have the realy feeling of someone really going to be making those promises with God in German!!!!! only 19 more days.....AHHHH!!!
I love everyone and thanks for the letters and for the love and support!!! from New York to California. . .all of y'all's love is appreciated!!!
Love
Sister Anderson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Handwritten letter
dear familie,
So, first of all it was really funny ... Elder Krieger in my district has 3 or so girlfriends writing to him and he gets this 24 page letter from one of them and this is the conversation that went on when he opened the envelope:
- Elder Marshall: "I would hate to read all that"
- Elder Harris (looks at E. Marshall): Where's the spirit of Christmas in you?"
- Elder Marshall: "What's that to do with letters?"
Ok, so it was pretty funny when they all said it, but yeah.
So I don't brag or say a whole lot about Texas, my pride of being from Texas doesn't come out ... Last week when Elder Myers said that and hurt my feelings - all I was doing was saying that snow isn't my favorite thing.
As much as these elders are trying to be gentlemen and I respect them for that ... some of them need patience. Last p-day at dinner I was sitting next to Elder Birth. Now the elders always take our trays when we are done and this time I was still drinking my water and Elder Birth was waiting to take my glass when I wasn't finishing my drink b/c I still had an apple I was finishing ... when I went to take a bite he tapped my wrist which caused me to hit my tooth with my apple. Meine gutte! These elders are learning by their mistakes!
I have a goal that only on Mondays, Wed, and Saturdays I only speak German. Next week or my last week that may change to make days ... as we say in America, "cross your fingers" or in Germany "press your thungs for me".
This last Sunday, Fast Sunday, I decided to bare my testimony. I was so nervous b/c it has to be only in German. but this was my testimony.
"Ich wieb, himmlicher vater ist unser Himmlicher Vater und er hat Jesus Christus auf die erde gesandt fur uns. In Johannes 3:16 ies sagt "Denn bott hat die weit so sehr geliebt, class er einen sienen einzigen sohn Hingab, damit jeder der es ihnen glaubt. Nicht zugrunde gent, sundem das ewige leben hat."
Well, I said some more, but that's what I can mostly remember.
While here at the MTC I have discovered how simple the gospel is ... sometimes as members of the curch we make it complex. I challenge all y'all that as families sit down and study Preach My Gospel with one another and you come to realize how simple and easy teaching it can be. All we do as missionaries is Invite, Help and Teach. The rest is for the individual who must commit and come unto Christ. Share the gospel. You never truly understand the value of member missionary work until you are a missionary and see the impact and how much we actually depend on them ... so I invite all those to study Preach my Gospel as families and to make goals based on the teachings from it.
My closing remarks:
On Sunday during mission conference Sister Clegg, wife to the MTC 2nd counselor, talked about Mary and we need to acknowledge the woman this time of year. She endured to the end. Her qualities are:
faithfully obeyed, worthy, humble, served others first, joyous, raised her family to God. That evening we all watched the First Presidency Christmas devosiontal - so good.
Then on Tuesday, Elder Craig W. Zwick of the Seventies came and spoke on coming cloiser to Christ.
"To help others know Christ ... We need to personally come to know Christ."
Love y'all,
Sister Anderson
Bitte!!! Bitte!! Bitte! (Dec. 2nd letter)
hello meine familie,
First of all, for those who like saying "dear schwester". . . That is how it is spelled for future references. aka: MOM!!! lol. Schwester is completely appropriate to use, but I know Mom asked me why my name tag says Sister. . . In Germany, they recognize the title Sister. . . By calling us Sister it stands more as a title than Schwester.
I am so sad for the loss of the Coleman family. . . They are in my prayers. I was for sure taken back from reading that!!! I do love their family.
I also sent you, Mom, a paper letter, I don't know why it's not there yet. . . because I remember mailing it to ya.
But anyways, things are going great and this as been an up and down week. So, on Tuesday, Sister Julie Beck (the general Relief Society President) spoke at the devotional. It was an amazing talk. She mentioned three things that we missionaries must remember while out here. . . 1) Love your companion. 2) Love the people. 3) Love your mission president. I already love all those people, even though i have not met all of my companions, the people, and the mission president!!! From her talk, I also gained a bigger testimony of this church. . . How can this church not be true? No matter where you go in this world, the church is the same. . . the same teachings, ordinances, and so much more. There is not another church on the face of this planet that is the same no matter where you go. If you tell me that this church is not true. . . then people need to open their eyes a little more to see the fullness of the gospel and the restored priesthood blessings through the Prophet Joseph Smith. . . If anyone knows of anyone that does believe the Book of Mormon to be another testament of Jesus Christ, they just need to ask: Why ain't you baptised? Because, if you believe the book then you believe everything else we teach and know this church to be true.
I feel the power of the gift of tongues coming as I am able to communicate somewhat better and I know so much will come to me in these last few weeks that I have. . . I have less than four weeks here at the MTC and I feel as if I am so behind at times.
My feelings were hurt this week as I went to class Sunday morning. . . It just snowed and I walked into class and said, "Where is Texas when I need it?" just joking a little bit and not being at all really serious about what I said. . . one of the elders looked at me and said, "Sister Anderson, If you don't like snow than you 'deserve' to go to spirit prison." My heart just sank and my smile faded. I was deeply hurt by his words and was not able to focus or carry on my learning for the rest of the day as his words rang in my mind. I know i don't deserve to go to spirit prison, but I was deeply hurt by his words. After realizing what he had said. . . later on that night . . . he apologized to me and I told him it was ok, but still feeling a little down on my self. This week I have been working on the Christ attribute of faith and have seen it grow in my life throughout this week.
To leave my testimony. . . here is a Primary song that I have always deeply loved. . . A Child's Prayer.
Himmlischer Vater, bist du wirklich da? Und wenn Ich bete, gibst du Antwort, bist mir nah?
Man sagt, der Himmel sei weit von hier,
doch fühl ich beim Beten
Er ist nah bei mir.
Himmlisher Vater, Ich er innre mich,
was Jesus lehrte seine Jünger, gilt für mich
Lasset die kinder
doch her zu mir!
Vater, ich komme im Gebet zu dir.
I'll write more in a letter!!!
I love y'all and I have some stuff I need, but that will be in the letter.
Sister Anderson
Another December 2nd (sent in mail)
Dear Familie,
Last night was freaky. Sisgter Browne (I forgot what she has), but she had an attack ... 10:40 PM. Sister Smith and I went up to the front desk in our pjs to get some help as Sister Peltier stayed with Sister Browne, as she laid on the floor in pain not able to move or get up. At 11:00 Sister Browne was picked up by me and Sister Smith into a wheelchair and taken to the hospital. It was so scary as I prayed to the Lord in tears. Everything is going good now. She has to go back to the hospital today though.
It was funny what you said about Neil ... seems he really loves Grandpa's house! They have the Christmas lights and trees set up here at the MTC ... makes it feel more like the holidays.
The spirit is wonderful and I really do feel the role of the gift of tongues playing an effect as I teach the gospel.
Sister Peltier have grown closer as companions and are becoming really good friends. I for sure feel the Savior's love for me here and testify that Heavenly Father is a loving father ... which is the very first thing we teach investigators.
I love y'all!!!
Sister Anderson
First of all, for those who like saying "dear schwester". . . That is how it is spelled for future references. aka: MOM!!! lol. Schwester is completely appropriate to use, but I know Mom asked me why my name tag says Sister. . . In Germany, they recognize the title Sister. . . By calling us Sister it stands more as a title than Schwester.
I am so sad for the loss of the Coleman family. . . They are in my prayers. I was for sure taken back from reading that!!! I do love their family.
I also sent you, Mom, a paper letter, I don't know why it's not there yet. . . because I remember mailing it to ya.
But anyways, things are going great and this as been an up and down week. So, on Tuesday, Sister Julie Beck (the general Relief Society President) spoke at the devotional. It was an amazing talk. She mentioned three things that we missionaries must remember while out here. . . 1) Love your companion. 2) Love the people. 3) Love your mission president. I already love all those people, even though i have not met all of my companions, the people, and the mission president!!! From her talk, I also gained a bigger testimony of this church. . . How can this church not be true? No matter where you go in this world, the church is the same. . . the same teachings, ordinances, and so much more. There is not another church on the face of this planet that is the same no matter where you go. If you tell me that this church is not true. . . then people need to open their eyes a little more to see the fullness of the gospel and the restored priesthood blessings through the Prophet Joseph Smith. . . If anyone knows of anyone that does believe the Book of Mormon to be another testament of Jesus Christ, they just need to ask: Why ain't you baptised? Because, if you believe the book then you believe everything else we teach and know this church to be true.
I feel the power of the gift of tongues coming as I am able to communicate somewhat better and I know so much will come to me in these last few weeks that I have. . . I have less than four weeks here at the MTC and I feel as if I am so behind at times.
My feelings were hurt this week as I went to class Sunday morning. . . It just snowed and I walked into class and said, "Where is Texas when I need it?" just joking a little bit and not being at all really serious about what I said. . . one of the elders looked at me and said, "Sister Anderson, If you don't like snow than you 'deserve' to go to spirit prison." My heart just sank and my smile faded. I was deeply hurt by his words and was not able to focus or carry on my learning for the rest of the day as his words rang in my mind. I know i don't deserve to go to spirit prison, but I was deeply hurt by his words. After realizing what he had said. . . later on that night . . . he apologized to me and I told him it was ok, but still feeling a little down on my self. This week I have been working on the Christ attribute of faith and have seen it grow in my life throughout this week.
To leave my testimony. . . here is a Primary song that I have always deeply loved. . . A Child's Prayer.
Himmlischer Vater, bist du wirklich da? Und wenn Ich bete, gibst du Antwort, bist mir nah?
Man sagt, der Himmel sei weit von hier,
doch fühl ich beim Beten
Er ist nah bei mir.
Himmlisher Vater, Ich er innre mich,
was Jesus lehrte seine Jünger, gilt für mich
Lasset die kinder
doch her zu mir!
Vater, ich komme im Gebet zu dir.
I'll write more in a letter!!!
I love y'all and I have some stuff I need, but that will be in the letter.
Sister Anderson
Another December 2nd (sent in mail)
Dear Familie,
Last night was freaky. Sisgter Browne (I forgot what she has), but she had an attack ... 10:40 PM. Sister Smith and I went up to the front desk in our pjs to get some help as Sister Peltier stayed with Sister Browne, as she laid on the floor in pain not able to move or get up. At 11:00 Sister Browne was picked up by me and Sister Smith into a wheelchair and taken to the hospital. It was so scary as I prayed to the Lord in tears. Everything is going good now. She has to go back to the hospital today though.
It was funny what you said about Neil ... seems he really loves Grandpa's house! They have the Christmas lights and trees set up here at the MTC ... makes it feel more like the holidays.
The spirit is wonderful and I really do feel the role of the gift of tongues playing an effect as I teach the gospel.
Sister Peltier have grown closer as companions and are becoming really good friends. I for sure feel the Savior's love for me here and testify that Heavenly Father is a loving father ... which is the very first thing we teach investigators.
I love y'all!!!
Sister Anderson
A Day of Thanks (Nov. 25th letter)
Dear Familie,
Normally I spend my email time of 30 minutes talking about all the devotional talks since the last time I emailed and then some other things I get in before my 30 minutes is up . . . then the rest goes into an actual letter. . .
But it is 11:48 a.m. at the MTC on Thanksgiving day and I just got out of our morning devotional. .. On Thanksgiving we have two devotionals and then humanitarian projects. . . This morning I sat six rows back from the pulpit and as we sat there this whole entire family came in and sat on the first two rows. . . little did we know that those were Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's Children and Grandchildren. 5 mintues til 10:00 I got to witness yet again, a third apostle of the Lord walk into the room at the MTC and I have only been here four weeks. Elder Holland and his wife wanted us to consider them as our own grandparents this day and Elder Holland said that whenever we see him we need to think, "That's my Grandpa." I don't think there was a single dry eye during the Morning Thanksgiving Devotional and Elder Holland had all his 13 grandchildren come up to the stand and sing a "Whenever I hear a blue bird. .. " It was more exciting than anything to see little children. . . Elder Holland told us that as they sing, think of them as your younger siblings or nephews and nieces. .. I couldn't help but imangine little Garrett up there singing his heart out. Elder Holland told us that he mostly wanted his grandchildren to see all of us because he wants them to become like us. . . in fact, he said every little boy and girl are watching us missionaries right now because we are perfect in their eyes. Sister Holland also spoke some and the spirit was divine as she shared her favorite scripture with us Luke 12:8. Elder Holland also told us to think about what we're eating today and to remember most of the world is starving right now. He said that if today we get Homesick to COWBOY UP! because we are here with our family where we belong and our family won't like it if we decided to come home.
I am so grateful for all that I have. I have a great appreciation for my family and the support they give me. . . everyone in my district thinks it is crazy that I get a letter or two every day from one of y'all, but I am so gratefull that I am in a family that has the restored gospel and can and will support me in this great call. . . the Lord called me on this mission to Germany before I even came to the earth. I was once with all those people in heaven and now I am here to return them to heaven with me. Don't take what you have for granted. Remember, children are going to bed starving and hungry every night.
I know this is the true church and I am gratefull for the ones who joined the church in my family that I can be born in the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. . . I am grateful to my Grandpa Anderson for marring Grandma, who was a member, and soon after joined the church that I may be born in an eternal family and have everyone here with me.
Last Thanksgiving I spent with Grandma and Grandpa Matthews. . . how gratefull I am for the opporunity I had to spend one last time with my Grandpa Matthews here on the earth and rejoice for the day I may see him again. I know families can be together forever and it is through Jesus Christ that we can all be together.
Elder Holland said that at the end of Christ's life., our Father in Heaven had to sit back and watch His son suffer and be alone for a few minutes as he suffered for all of us. . . We are on a mission, so the Lord Jesus Christ does not have to do it alone any longer. .. He has us forever.
Thank y'all for the love and support. . . thank y'all for teaching me and being converted in the gospel that our family can return to our Father and be for eternity.
I'll talk a little more about devotionals and the rest of today in a letter that I usually write after I email.
Yesterday I had a really hard day. . . we were in class and doing an activity when my teacher, Brother Devale called on me to teach something of the plan of salvation in front of the district in German. . . I at once broke down crying . . . The language has been my biggest challenge and I couldn't bear to even try to speak, let alone teach in the German tongue. . . I slowly spoke some german and ended, still creating a flood with my eyes. .. After the elders all left the room to take a water break, Bother Devale came over to me and comforted me as I was still crying. He told me that he knows I can speak german and that he knows I know more than I think. . . After some talking and knowing to put full trust in the Lord. . . Brother Devale told me to fast with him on Sunday that I may be able to recieve the gift of tongues and to be able to understand and speak german .. . . So on Sunday I am fasting for the gift of tongues along with little Lydia who will be having surgery.
I know the Lord is here throughout my struggles and I have faith that I can speak german. . . I have five more weeks left at the MTC and I know I will be ready when It is time to go to Germany.
Again Happy thanksgiving to all y'all.
I love everyone in my family and I just want y'all to know this is the Lord's work and I have been called to proclaim it to the German people. I wear the name Jesu Christus on my name tag to represent the Lord and I will do such.
May God be with y'all and enjoy Thanksgiving one with another.
I love y'all
Ich Liebe Dich!!! <3
Schwester Anderson
Letter received in the mail
Dear Famiilie!
So I know that Kimberly went to Washington and mom and dad went to El Paso ... but what did everyone else do on Thanksgiving?
So far my Thanksgiving is alright ... eat Thanksgiving lunch was not really Thanksgiving for me .. jusst b/c I was sitting once again in the cafeteria. I can't wait to get out of here ...
We were supposed to get hit by a blizzard, but it didn't come down this far, so I'm happy. There isn't really any snow yet, but it sure is cold!
So alot of pretty funny stuff has happened this week.
Sister Browne loves to scare me ... she hid in my wardrobe one day and then she hid under my bed. My goodness.
But Saturday as Sister Peltier and I were doing our weekly service ... cleaning bathrooms...There was soap on the floor. I mopped the floor and it spread all the soap so the whole floor of the bathroom was soapy. Not knowing what to do, I turned off the light and just as I was closing the door Sister Peltier came up and said "Are you done?" as she asked she flipped on the light to see that the entire floor was soap. It's hard to describe what really happened, but it was funny.
I don't have my VISA get and I'm getting my last shot on December 23.
I sure hope they have eggnog here for Christmas. I really hope so!!!
Is everything alright with Caleb. Lindsay said he grabbed the radiater. He is the trouble maker. lol
So the fireside was good. President Smith spoke on the story of Thanksgiving., And the Christmas lights are on now! I love you!!1
Schwester Anderson
Normally I spend my email time of 30 minutes talking about all the devotional talks since the last time I emailed and then some other things I get in before my 30 minutes is up . . . then the rest goes into an actual letter. . .
But it is 11:48 a.m. at the MTC on Thanksgiving day and I just got out of our morning devotional. .. On Thanksgiving we have two devotionals and then humanitarian projects. . . This morning I sat six rows back from the pulpit and as we sat there this whole entire family came in and sat on the first two rows. . . little did we know that those were Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's Children and Grandchildren. 5 mintues til 10:00 I got to witness yet again, a third apostle of the Lord walk into the room at the MTC and I have only been here four weeks. Elder Holland and his wife wanted us to consider them as our own grandparents this day and Elder Holland said that whenever we see him we need to think, "That's my Grandpa." I don't think there was a single dry eye during the Morning Thanksgiving Devotional and Elder Holland had all his 13 grandchildren come up to the stand and sing a "Whenever I hear a blue bird. .. " It was more exciting than anything to see little children. . . Elder Holland told us that as they sing, think of them as your younger siblings or nephews and nieces. .. I couldn't help but imangine little Garrett up there singing his heart out. Elder Holland told us that he mostly wanted his grandchildren to see all of us because he wants them to become like us. . . in fact, he said every little boy and girl are watching us missionaries right now because we are perfect in their eyes. Sister Holland also spoke some and the spirit was divine as she shared her favorite scripture with us Luke 12:8. Elder Holland also told us to think about what we're eating today and to remember most of the world is starving right now. He said that if today we get Homesick to COWBOY UP! because we are here with our family where we belong and our family won't like it if we decided to come home.
I am so grateful for all that I have. I have a great appreciation for my family and the support they give me. . . everyone in my district thinks it is crazy that I get a letter or two every day from one of y'all, but I am so gratefull that I am in a family that has the restored gospel and can and will support me in this great call. . . the Lord called me on this mission to Germany before I even came to the earth. I was once with all those people in heaven and now I am here to return them to heaven with me. Don't take what you have for granted. Remember, children are going to bed starving and hungry every night.
I know this is the true church and I am gratefull for the ones who joined the church in my family that I can be born in the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. . . I am grateful to my Grandpa Anderson for marring Grandma, who was a member, and soon after joined the church that I may be born in an eternal family and have everyone here with me.
Last Thanksgiving I spent with Grandma and Grandpa Matthews. . . how gratefull I am for the opporunity I had to spend one last time with my Grandpa Matthews here on the earth and rejoice for the day I may see him again. I know families can be together forever and it is through Jesus Christ that we can all be together.
Elder Holland said that at the end of Christ's life., our Father in Heaven had to sit back and watch His son suffer and be alone for a few minutes as he suffered for all of us. . . We are on a mission, so the Lord Jesus Christ does not have to do it alone any longer. .. He has us forever.
Thank y'all for the love and support. . . thank y'all for teaching me and being converted in the gospel that our family can return to our Father and be for eternity.
I'll talk a little more about devotionals and the rest of today in a letter that I usually write after I email.
Yesterday I had a really hard day. . . we were in class and doing an activity when my teacher, Brother Devale called on me to teach something of the plan of salvation in front of the district in German. . . I at once broke down crying . . . The language has been my biggest challenge and I couldn't bear to even try to speak, let alone teach in the German tongue. . . I slowly spoke some german and ended, still creating a flood with my eyes. .. After the elders all left the room to take a water break, Bother Devale came over to me and comforted me as I was still crying. He told me that he knows I can speak german and that he knows I know more than I think. . . After some talking and knowing to put full trust in the Lord. . . Brother Devale told me to fast with him on Sunday that I may be able to recieve the gift of tongues and to be able to understand and speak german .. . . So on Sunday I am fasting for the gift of tongues along with little Lydia who will be having surgery.
I know the Lord is here throughout my struggles and I have faith that I can speak german. . . I have five more weeks left at the MTC and I know I will be ready when It is time to go to Germany.
Again Happy thanksgiving to all y'all.
I love everyone in my family and I just want y'all to know this is the Lord's work and I have been called to proclaim it to the German people. I wear the name Jesu Christus on my name tag to represent the Lord and I will do such.
May God be with y'all and enjoy Thanksgiving one with another.
I love y'all
Ich Liebe Dich!!! <3
Schwester Anderson
Letter received in the mail
Dear Famiilie!
So I know that Kimberly went to Washington and mom and dad went to El Paso ... but what did everyone else do on Thanksgiving?
So far my Thanksgiving is alright ... eat Thanksgiving lunch was not really Thanksgiving for me .. jusst b/c I was sitting once again in the cafeteria. I can't wait to get out of here ...
We were supposed to get hit by a blizzard, but it didn't come down this far, so I'm happy. There isn't really any snow yet, but it sure is cold!
So alot of pretty funny stuff has happened this week.
Sister Browne loves to scare me ... she hid in my wardrobe one day and then she hid under my bed. My goodness.
But Saturday as Sister Peltier and I were doing our weekly service ... cleaning bathrooms...There was soap on the floor. I mopped the floor and it spread all the soap so the whole floor of the bathroom was soapy. Not knowing what to do, I turned off the light and just as I was closing the door Sister Peltier came up and said "Are you done?" as she asked she flipped on the light to see that the entire floor was soap. It's hard to describe what really happened, but it was funny.
I don't have my VISA get and I'm getting my last shot on December 23.
I sure hope they have eggnog here for Christmas. I really hope so!!!
Is everything alright with Caleb. Lindsay said he grabbed the radiater. He is the trouble maker. lol
So the fireside was good. President Smith spoke on the story of Thanksgiving., And the Christmas lights are on now! I love you!!1
Schwester Anderson
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