The Journey Continues

Hello Everyone,

This is Morgan Anderson, or in this blog Elder Anderson. I am grateful to my parents for updating the blog. I am happy to announce that my little brother is serving a mission in the Chile Santiago West Mission. Here is the link so you will also be able to view his experiences. Thank you.
 Elder Jaren Kay Anderson Blog

Welcome Home Elder Morgan Anderson, July 14, 2016

"Find Joy In The Journey!"  What an amazing journey of JOY these past two years have been!  My heart is full of gratitude for the blessing of Elder Anderson's return home and to be all together again as a family.  My mother's heart is filled to the brim with happiness to look at him and see what a great man he is.  He left home as my 18 year old teenager.  He has been molded, refined, and grown into who Heavenly Father knows he is and can be.  I have seen such growth and he will say his greatest convert was himself.  He was blessed to have great experiences inviting others to Come Unto Christ and truly know our Savior.  I love his Spanish accent and trying to find words in English again.  I love hearing him speak in Spanish and not have a clue what he is saying.  I am learning his Nicaraguan facial expressions that have a meaning all on their own. I love the connections he has made with converts and missionaries.  I have been blessed to love a country and people I will never meet.  My family has grown as we have prayed and been blessed to include companions as part of our family. I love the people of Nicaragua and the blessing of all who served and lifted my son for two years.  President and Sister Russell will forever hold a special place in my heart.  They have blessed and lifted him and continue to love him as their own. They have played a big role in helping Elder Anderson be the disciple of Christ he is today.  My joy is full to see all 4 of my boys laughing and sharing memories together again. My heart feels complete with everyone together again.  Our time together is short as Jaren will report in October to the Chile Santiago West Mission. Another great missionary journey will begin again. My heart has already begun to love the people, country, and culture of Chile. This blog doesn't end with the conclusion of Morgan's full time missionary service, it continues as Jaren will now be blessed to be called Elder Anderson.  The next chapter begins....shortly.

Week 104 - Last letter from the mission field.

July 11, 2016

Last letter from the mission field. I will make it brief and beautiful...jaja!

This week has been a week of reflection about the mission and all. I have learned a lot and I'm excited to be able to apply these new attributes in my life back home. No I'm not a perfect person and still will make mistakes, but I feel that I am a better person. I cannot fully express my love for the mission and the Nicaraguans in words or on paper. It's something that is so strong that its hard for me to express. What a change I have felt in my heart over these last 2 years. 

Remind me when I get home to tell you about the blessing we gave to a man this last week. It's a long story. I'm sure it would be more entertaining as well if I was in person to tell you all. 

For p-day today we got together as a district and played games and ate pizza. It was fun to relax a little bit and enjoy myself. I started packing a little bit this morning as well. 

I love you guys. I have so much to tell you but I would rather tell you in person than over email. I love you guys. See you on Thursday night. Don't get too excited at the airport.  There are other people there....haha!   I will probably cry, don't worry haha!

I love you guys. Keep me in your prayers that all will go smoothly and we can get home quickly and safely. I love you guys. See you in a few days!!

With much love,

Nicaragua Managua Sur for Life!!!

El Mejor Mision del mundo,

For the last time,

Elder Morgan Monroe Anderson

Rivas

Week 103

July 4, 2016

Happy fourth of July. I hope the fireworks, the parade and everything have been good this year. Don't worry though Pioneer Day is going to even be funner...ha ha!

This week went by crazy fast. I used a lot of my time this week trying to help things here in Rivas get better. I did a lot of training with the sisters in my district trying to help them become better. It was a lot of fun. 

This week while teaching a less active family we found out that they have family that lived for quite a while in the states. The grandma is from Nicaragua and speaks fluent Spanish but her grand-kids don't speak any Spanish. We are teaching them the basics of everything but I have ran into a little bit of a problem. My English is really bad...they sometimes don't understand what I say.  Awkward! But it will help me a little bit to be able to adjust. 

Everything is going well. We are working hard with a couple of young men to help them get baptized this week. I hope to go out baptizing. I'm excited for this last full week that I have in the mission and hope to make it my best week ever. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. Let me know if there is anything that you want from Nicaragua. 

I love you guys!

Nicaragua Managua Sur,

Elder Anderson

Week 102 - My little brother is going on a mission.

June 27, 2016

Wow my little brother is going on a mission. Speaking Spanish, and I even get to go duck hunting with him one weekend. Life is good....hahaha. I cannot express how excited I am for you Jaren. I called all my buddies in the zone to let them know you were going on mission and they are all excited for you too...I often reflect on the sign that is in our house above the dinner table for everyone to see that says, "caution: missionaries in training" I love that sign and I am so grateful for my family and Mom and Dad for making it truly a Anderson MTC.

Wow lots to write about, but little time. This week I spent a lot of time outside of my area. A lot of time. Tuesday afternoon I left to go to Jinotepe. Wednesday we got up early to go to Leadership Council meeting. It was special because it was the last meeting that all the zone leaders would meet with President and Sister Russell. We then worked a little bit in Managua with different missionaries then stayed the night at the AP´s and the Secretary's house. I had a chance to talk with Elder Diaz for a while that night and swap mission stories with the guys in the office. 

Thursday morning I went to Presidents office early and had my last interview with him. We talked for over an hour about life after the mission. He counseled me about working, studying, and yes finding a future eternal companion.... I loved his advice and have a lot of notes and ideas and goals for the future when I get home. I felt the spirit so strong as we knelt down and as he offered the closing prayer. I felt of his love for me as well as the love of my Heavenly Father. 

Thursday night I had meetings with the Stake Presidency along with President Russell. We have this meeting every couple of months to talk with the stake leaders about how the work is going. On Friday we had zone meeting in Jinotepe. It was fun to get together with the zone and to do some training. The mission has been really focused on working with ward members better. 

Now this week will be a week for a lot of work and to help the other companionship's in Rivas. I love Rivas. I even bought a cool baseball jersey of the Rivas baseball team. The baseball stadium is in our area and its like a high school football game when there is a baseball game. It kinda reminds me of high school.

I love you guys so much. I am excited to see you guys soon, but promise that I am still working 110 percent thank you so much. I love you guys Take care,

De lo mejor mision del mundo, Nicaragua Managua Sur,

Elder Anderson

When I saw Jaren opening up his call I got super excited when I heard the title Elder Anderson.....

Sorry no pictures this week. 

Week 101

June 20, 2016

This week has been plenty busy just like the rest and has been a little bit hotter here in Rivas. We haven't seen much rain. Elder Bustillo told me that it has been almost cold in Jinotepe and raining.

Life is good. I have a good lunch appointment, great companion, and great investigators. I have seen the area change 360 degrees these last few weeks. We have a lot of positive investigators and we have a high goal for the first two weeks of July for baptisms.

We are teaching a niece of a less active and have even seen the family become reactivated. It's fun going to their house because they get excited when we come over. Everyone wants to participate in the lessons and they all came to church this week. I have seen a lot of less active people come back to church and it's amazing to see their lives change again as well as see their loved ones come to church for the first time. It was ward conference this week so we got a good turn out at church. 

I had the chance to work a lot in different areas this week and put a lot of miles on my shoes. My area is huge as well and requires a lot of walking and the church is a little far away. There are a lot of tourists that pass through the area as well to go down to San Juan Del Sur. 

The mission is great. I know there is still a lot of work to do. I will work hard until the last minute. Thank you for everything. I love you guys. 

Nicaragua Managua Sur,

Elder Anderson

Look a monkey!

With President and Sister Russell.  They are preparing to come home!

Week 100

June 13, 2016

Wow!  This week has flown by, but has been filled with rich experiences that I will never forget. 

This week we had a multi zone. It was a lot of fun to talk with everyone and with President and Sister Russell. I talked with Elder Diaz for a while since he is now in the offices. Elder Bustillo and I gave a training on working better with the members and we both thought it went well. I also got a chance to talk with President one on one for a minute with Elder Bustillo. He gave us some great advice about the zone. President and Sister Russell are close to going home and gave some of their last talks and advice to us. We also got to take a picture with them before we left individually. I couldn't help but tear up as I gave President a hug and Sister Russell a handshake as I even saw their eyes fill up with tears....they are amazing people whom I truly love and will miss. They both have taught me very great lessons. I have been very blessed to be able to work with them at a closer level and learn great things from them. 

With going to the multi zone that meant that we woke up super early and got home pretty late after being on the bus for what seemed like forever. I also have been on the phone a lot with different people this week until late at night with zone stuff. I have received little sleep this week...haha, but I love it!

We have seen some real miracles this week. We have found new investigators and have really seen the area open up. We brought a lot of people to church and things are looking a lot better in my area. Now this week I need to go on a lot of divisions and help the district and the zone.

All is well.  I love this gospel and I love this work. I will work until the last minute and will do everything to bring these people to Christ and into the waters of baptism. I hope we can all go on some cool four wheeler rides when I get home as well. 

Love you guys. Take care and keep up the good work. I love you guys.

Nicaragua Managua Sur,

Elder Morgan Anderson

The Zone

With Elder Bustillo getting ready to leave on the bus.

After a rain storm.

With Elder Cuyan

Week 99 - Rivas

June 6, 2016

Wow! So now I have an official adult brother and two little brothers that are already better than I am at soccer.....Sounds like life is good.

So I guess the big story of the week is changes. I received a phone call from the Assistants Tuesday afternoon to inform the zone about changes. They told me to pack my bags, but that I would not need to bring them to the meeting. I was a little bit confused until Elder Hironaka called me. He explained that I was going to Rivas. It's a ward that has 12 missionaries and two districts. I am still Zone Leader and I am also a District Leader again. In my district there are three companionship of sisters. I am working hard to get these two districts going again and to get to their full potential. Elder Bustillo is now companions with Elder Presinal in Jinotepe. Every night I am on the phone with Elder Bustillo talking about the zone and planning different things. 

Rivas is a change from Jinotepe. Rivas is super hot compared to Jinotepe. Even though it has rained a ton these last few days. Getting people to church on Sunday was crazy as it rained all morning and it rained super hard. I have not been in many rain storms like that one. 

My new companion is Elder Cuyan. He is from Guatemala. He is a super cool guy and has 18 months in the mission. I am super excited to work with him.

Life is good. I'm excited for the success and challenges that are on there way these next 6 weeks. I love you guys. Take care. 

Nicaragua Managua Sur,

Elder Anderson

I apologize that there are not any pictures this week. 

Week 98

May 30, 2016

Well today is Mothers Day here in Nicaragua. As I was thinking about mothers day I totally forgot to tell Mom when we skyped happy mothers day.....So, Happy Mothers Day. You are the best mom in the whole world. Thank you. 

This week was another busy week. This week Elder Hironaka came down to help us with some of the baptism possibilities that we had in the zone. We spent the day traveling and going to the different areas to talk with the missionaries and to help them and their investigators progress. 

After that I went down to Nandaime quite a bit this week for their district meeting and to talk with more possibilities. It was a lot of bus time this week. I like traveling and seeing all the farm land and sugar cane that they raise here.

We are working hard in the area to commit people to church and to teach the needs of our investigators. This week we had a lot of success in finding a lot of people that we know we can help be baptized in the future. We are teaching a lady that has serious heath problems but loves when we come over to talk to her family and to help them receive their testimony of the Restored Gospel. 

I apologize that I don't have much time to write. Looks like you guys are having a lot of fun. Keep it up. Have fun at graduation. I like your invitation. Have a great week. I love you guys. Thanks for everything. 

Nicaragua Managua Sur,

Elder Anderson

With Elder Hironaka in Nandaime

A path to an investigators house in Nandaime

Week 97

May 30, 2016

Well today is Mothers Day here in Nicaragua. As I was thinking about mothers day I totally forgot to tell Mom when we skyped happy mothers day.....So, Happy Mothers Day. You are the best mom in the whole world. Thank you. 

This week was another busy week. This week Elder Hironaka came down to help us with some of the baptism possibilities that we had in the zone. We spent the day traveling and going to the different areas to talk with the missionaries and to help them and their investigators progress. 

After that I went down to Nandaime quite a bit this week for their district meeting and to talk with more possibilities. It was a lot of bus time this week. I like traveling and seeing all the farm land and sugar cane that they raise here.

We are working hard in the area to commit people to church and to teach the needs of our investigators. This week we had a lot of success in finding a lot of people that we know we can help be baptized in the future. We are teaching a lady that has serious heath problems but loves when we come over to talk to her family and to help them receive their testimony of the Restored Gospel. 

I apologize that I don't have much time to write. Looks like you guys are having a lot of fun. Keep it up. Have fun at graduation. I like your invitation. Have a great week. I love you guys. Thanks for everything. 

Nicaragua Managua Sur,

Elder Anderson

With Elder Hironaka in Nandaime

A path to an investigators house in Nandaime