Week 57 - A new, sweet Sister to teach - The Lords Hands at work

 August 24, 2015

So this week was a little bit of a rough week with not having a ton of investigators in church. But I was able to see a lot of miracles in our area this week.

On Thursday Elder Presinal and I were contacting in a small hallway type thing. It’s called a “callejon” and is a little passage way to other houses.  It opens up into a bigger area with a bunch of houses. I like going back in these to see if we can find new investigators. As were contacting we spoke to a lady washing her clothes outside of her house. We were expecting the same answer of; “I am busy” or, “Come by another day”. But instead we were presented with two seats outside of her home. She then gave us some fruit drink to drink then told us she was ready to hear our message. We started to talk to her and hear of her story in life. She told us of how she was looking for Christ but just did not know where to find him. She told us she had seen us and other missionaries pass by and had been waiting for one day when she could talk to us. 

She then told us of a dream she had the night before. She told us she saw two angels that were standing in white that wanted to talk to her. She told us that she felt like that this was an answer to her dream.  As we taught her about the restored gospel, I sat in awe of the faith of this lady and her willingness to follow the Savior, but she just didn’t know how. We shared our message and felt the spirit so strong. We then committed her to baptism in the next month as well as going to church. My companion and I both agreed at how strong the spirit was and how we knew that we were only instruments in this instance to share His message.  She loved church this Sunday and is going to go back as well as bring her family!

Then as I was walking from her house I hit my head on some sheet metal....and I started bleeding pretty good. But I put a band aid on it and it stopped bleeding. I have a pretty good mark on my head though....hahaha

I have definitely seen the little miracles in my life lately. 

I don’t have a ton of time to write but to make a long story short I had to go to the foot doctor today because I had an ingrown toenail. Everything is fine and there aren’t any problems. They just took the ingrown part out. Pretty uneventful. 

When I was at an interview for baptism I saw a picture on this guy’s wall and it reminded me of the painting in Grandma and Grandpas house. I think it is the same painting. But I love that picture. 

I hope all is well. Take care.

Elder Morgan M. Anderson 

Week 56. New Contacts + Life Challenges = The Atonement

August 18, 2015

Well this week was not super eventful. It was just hard work every day all day. Which I love! I really like getting in and working really hard. Last night my companion and I staggered in the door super tired and worn out. Haha I had a hard time staying awake while waiting for and taking numbers. 

Elder Presinal and I get along really well! He is a fun companion. I really enjoy being his trainer. I like getting to know more about him and his family and about the Dominican Republic. 

This week we spent a lot of time contacting new people and talking to people from all over the country. We talked to a guy from Bluefield’s this week. He speaks a language called Creole. It’s just English but a lot of different words that mean a lot of different stuff. Elder Rodriguez was in Bluefield’s for a long time so he taught me a couple of phrases. We also talked to a lady that spoke Portuguese! She started talking to us and giving us directions to find a house and we understood her!! Elder Presinal and I were pretty proud of ourselves after that. 

We found a cool new Mom and her kid this week. They are really friendly. When we passed by to pick them up they were walking out the door to go by themselves to church. They told us after church how much they liked it and asked when we were going to come by. I love teaching people that want to hear the message of the restored gospel. Another lady we are teaching just has to go to church one more time!!! She is super ready for baptism but has not been able to go to church because of different little problems. I know she will go this week and be able to be baptized soon!

This week we talked to a lot of people.  It seems that each of them is laden with their own various problems.  A lot of problems! As they told me about all their difficulties in life, the message that played over and over in my head was that of the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Each person on earth has the opportunity to partake of the mercy that we all receive through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The atonement is applicable to everyone who allows it. I have a strong testimony of the atonement and know the He will forgive us, strengthen us, and comfort us. He died so that we might live. I love the talk given by Elder Uchtdorf that he gave in this last conference about grace. 

My testimony has grown so much in these past months, well I guess a little bit over a year now. I have changed. I have seen so many other lives changed as well. The mission is the best. I love every second of it. 

I love you. Take care!!!

Nicaragua Managua Sur,

Elder Morgan M. Anderson 

Week - 55. New Camera + Some Changes

August 10, 2015

“Cambios”  a word that means changes in English. Changes are always for the good and to help the work move forward and keep going in a direction where it can grow. I did get new two new companions. Elder Hironaka and Elder Castillo both left for new areas. I will miss Elder Hironaka to be serious. He is definitely a lifelong friend. He taught me a lot about missionary work and how to be a better zone leader.

  
My new companions are from El Salvador and Belize, Elder Henriquez from El Salvador is the other zone leader here. He has been a zone leader for a while out in a zone called Juigalpa. I am excited to work with him. His companions name is Elder Rodriguez. He is from Belize. I guess in Belize they speak more English than Spanish. The first day we worked together so I could show him the area and he was just speaking English with me. I asked how he learned such good English; he looked at me then said, I am learning Spanish. I just speak English....I was pretty shocked...haha. But it’s fun to talk a little bit of English in the house with him. 

This week was a little bit rough with investigators. We did have one baptism though. His name is Eddy. He is the man I have been telling you guys about. How he has changed his life and everything. After his baptism he came up to me and told me that he wants to help us baptize some of his friends too. We are already teaching some of his friends and all of them are really positive to be baptized this month. I love the scripture though in Nephi that talks about how there is opposition in all things. Even when you have a golden investigator there is always something that Satan takes and uses against the situation. But I know that through that we all grow greater testimony. I also love the parable about the sewer and the talk from Elder Oaks. It’s so true how we need to plant our roots deep so that the sun cannot scorch us.  

We had a lot of investigators that were really positive to go to church this week but then couldn’t come because of emergencies or just weren’t home. Sundays are really the days when you can tell if someone is a positive investigator or not. When people start to obey the commandments they start to change. That is why we are asked to follow the commandments, to be obedient, be protected, and change and become more Christ like. 

Elder Anderson with Elder Hironaka

I took some pictures this week! Cause I got the camera. Wahoo!! So I took a bunch of pictures this week for your mom! Hope you enjoy them. 

I love you guys! You guys are always in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and always remember the Savior in your life. 

Week 54

August 3, 2015

Alright....wow its already August.....craziness.

Elder Anderson and Elder Hironaka

This week was a really interesting but great week. We worked really hard in our area but also had the opportunity to have a lot of different meetings as a Zone Leader with Elder Hironaka. I have learned a lot in my mission about how to be a better leader and to learn from other leaders. 

It was a good Pday. We went and got hamburgers at a local restaurant. I also got some ice cream with cake. I love Ice cream!! We then went and played a little bit of soccer then me and my companion Elder Presinal got haircuts. Good Pday! 

This week we had Stake Conference in our Zone. A Seventy came and spoke in the conference and said some very great things about how to be better converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He shared a story about how his family got converted to the gospel and it made me think about my ancestors and how they got converted to the gospel and how much of an impact they have had, and are having in my life. I feel of all my families love and support daily and keep me going strong. 

 

This next week we should have a baptism of an older man. He has made a 360 turn in his life. It is one of the most amazing things I have seen in my life. Even through the stumbles and falls of being an investigator converting to the true gospel, he has come out amazing. He is one of the most amazing people I have met on my mission. I remember the first day I met him and remember hearing him pray with true sincerity that our Heavenly Father would help him change those bad things in his life. Every time I see him I am truly filled with a great love and filled with the spirit as I converse with him about his testimony of the gospel. He will be a firm member of the church throughout his life. 

After about a week of not talking to one of our really positive investigators we finally got to talk to her yesterday afternoon. She told us she had been in another city taking care of her family. She expressed with us great sorrow and sadness through many trying times in her life. My companion then asked her a great question. He asked, what do you think will bring you the most happiness in your life? She then responded that the church of Jesus Christ will bring her the happiness she needs. I also felt the spirit so strong in that moment. I know that the only way we will find true happiness is to turn to Christ. He is happiness. He is hope.

I love you all and hope for the best. Take care and always remember the importance of prayers and scripture study, individually and with family!

Amo Nicaragua, Amo los Nicaragüenses, Amo la obra del Señor. Se que este es la iglesia verdadera. Se que Jesucristo guía este iglesia. 

I love you guys!

Elder Morgan M. Anderson