Week Foe

So, week four. Or "foe". Not like it's an enemy or anything, it must just be the French accent kicking in haha not really, but my French accent is getting even better than it was, if I do say so myself! So, you can all look forward to that! ;) haha

Elder Larry Echo Hawk gave a devotional here last Tuesday! It was so great! He also said that a couple weeks ago he was in Houston! I don't know if any of you knew that, but he was there for a mission conference that involved 3 missions...so pretty big! Anyways, he spoke about trusting in the Book of Mormon. A very interesting topic! Very enlightening too, it made me create some new goals! I'm sure some of you will find out more specifically what they are, but they are about really diving into the book. Elder Echo Hawk told a story of how he used to sleep through priests quorum meetings when he was younger, then someone took him under their wing and helped him become who he is today. First though, he became super good football player (Markus, we should look into this. Haha we could rock some peeps! He was only 165 lbs and played 4 years starting at BYU! haha). He talked a lot about football, so that was exciting to explain to my English companion haha he started to understand it a little. He expressed that the Book of Mormon can change lives. We all know that though, right?? But do we utilize the Book of Mormon for that purpose? "Yeah I read a little in it everyday". He said that was enough! We need to really study it, like we would study at school! It's like I've been taking a "Book of Mormon intro" class my whole life, and for how long I've been taking the class, I don't think I know it as well as I should! So, as a missionary who has to commit people, will YOU commit to reading the Book of Mormon more? And pray about it's truth? Allez-vous lire le Livre de Mormon? Et allez-vous prier savoir la vérité de toutes choses dans le livre? (My French ain't perfect, so don't judge haha)

I was very surprised at how many family members tried to find that poem from last week in French for me! Maybe Elder Holland was wrong...or maybe you didnt search hard enough! I'm just teasing haha it's fine! Maybe after I master the English version, I can tackle the French version haha

Predicament: Here I am, in the MTC (and in San Francisco a couple weeks ago), with my little Canon Powershot ELPH 100HS (just thought I would clarify that hahaha) and guess what. They don't print pictures here at the MTC. Anymore. They used to. I know they did. But now they don't. I will come up with a solution, don't you worry!

I got an awesome package early last week! It was last Thursday! And it had been sent on Monday I think, so that was pretty fast! It had a bunch of pictures and a bunch of reminders from home in it, I loved it! Now I have a picture of Tye Smith, who woulda thunk that I would have a picture on my desk of him! It threw my companion for a loop haha he was a little confused, especially with the pose that Tye is doing haha that picture is hilarious, but it wasnt my favorite one :) Then I got another package from mah Moms! Those ginger snaps were sooo good. My district ate em up like they were...delicious? haha sorry, my english vocab is struggling haha they were so good!

Just a side note, no one, I mean NO ONE, ever think that you are bothering me by writing to me. It doesnt distract me! I'm given an hour at the end of everyday to read them and relax :) So, it's not a problem, they knew I would need that time. And I use it and love it! This poor boy needs them letters!

I hope everyone is rockin the world! Being awesome examples and doing the Lord's will! That's where happiness comes from!

You're all the best! I'm thinking about you!

Elder Daniel Anderson

Troisieme Semaine (Third Week)

You know the best part about being a missionary? Okay, maybe not the best part, but a super great part? Wearing the missionary tag. It's got my name on it! More importantly, it has the name of Jesus Christ (mine actually says Jésus-Christ) on it, which really changes the way you are. Before being on a mission, I honestly thought that it would be a little uncomfortable to be in public and being that upfront about my beliefs. You literally have them posted on your chest! Then I went to San Francisco. What an experience! I even surprised myself! I was more open and interested in talking to people than I was before! I thought it would be difficult, but the Lord strengthened my weaknesses, and showed me that I can do this! Another thing I learned is that not being able to wear my missionary tag is a terrible experience. I love having this tag! I'm so glad I have it! 

As I thought about it though, I should live my life, no matter what, in a way that is like I have a missionary tag on my chest. People should be able to tell that I'm LDS! Just taking off the missionary tag doesnt mean you get to hide and blend into the crowd. You can make a difference, no matter who you are or what your circumstances are! Anyone can invite others to come unto Christ, share their beliefs, do what they know is right. That's something that I've noticed with some of my friends that I have back in Texas. They did what was right and they set a good example for others, even if the situation might be a little awkward. Romans 1:16! Live by it!

We watched a recorded Devotional that was given by Elder Holland years ago, and it was an amazing devotional! One part he mentioned was a poem that basically said

"Come to the edge" he said.

"No I'll fall"

"Come to the edge!" he said.

"No I'll fall"

"Come to the EDGE!" he said.

I went to the edge. He pushed me,

And I flew.

The point of the poem that Elder Holland made was that "Man's extremity is God's opportunity." When we push ourselves to our absolute max, God will know that we have done everything we can, and He will help us reach greater heights. For example, if you were running, and you pushed yourself as hard as you thought you could, and didnt think you could go any further, but then you break through that barrier and get the best run in since the beginning of summer, that's like how God can help us power through our trials and questions that we might have. It's incredible!

The poem is actually a translation from a French poem, so if someone wants to send me the French version that would be awesome!

An interesting note, my district has turned into an acapella group. No joke. We're pretty good too! We get quite a few compliments from around the MTC...never thought I'd be involved in something like that did you?! haha

Also, I got my first handwritten letter yesterday, October 22, 2012. It was a VERY special day! I LOVE all the letters I get, but there is just something about a handwritten letter!

Everyone, keep up the good work. Never stop improving!

Elder Daniel Anderson

Week Deux!

No vacation this week. Stayed at MTC. They feed me on occasion. Surviving. Letters from the outside world are helping me stay sane. I'm sending my love to all those who have written.

Okay, so I'm doing fantastic! No, I didn't have a vacation this week, but my week was still awesome! We started teaching a new "investigator" (l'ami de l'eglise) and his name is Juan. He's from Mexico. Strange scenario, right? Who cares! We teach everyone and anyone! But of course, he speaks French just like one of my instructors here...weird haha. Anyways, yes they feed me! It's all you can eat! And I've still lost weight...don't worry Mom, I'm not so stressed that I don't eat or anything! I'm just trying to eat slightly healthy...but with out the same workout regiment, the little muscles I had are starting to go! Okay not really, but I'm gonna have to start hitting the push ups, sit ups, and pull ups hard so that people still recognize me when I get home! I'd rather not walk off the plane, into the airport, towards the welcome home party, and no one recognize me...I'm sure a few still would though haha.

Letters from the outside world are helping me stay sane. That's no joke! Not that I'm going insane, but sometimes I get stressed out a little, or worried about people, and it's always great to here how they are doing. Even if it's not always that they're the happiest they've ever been. Does that sound weird? I just love knowing how people are really doing. Maybe it's the missionary in me! I want to help everyone and invite them to come unto Christ! That's where true happiness is. So, don't be afraid to write me because you think I might have too much to read or too much going on. I LOVE THEM. I love all the letters!  So yes, I am definitely sending my love to all those who have written to me :) I want to read it all! So when in doubt, write!

So since being here at the MTC, I've seen or met with President Brown, President Brady (yeah!), President Zimbelman, Brother Mangum, and Brother Harward. They all remembered me and they all were so excited to see me! And I was excited to see them! There are some more details to each one of those stories, so if you're interested, you can write me and ask about it ;) haha. Oh, also, one of the teachers for french here seems to recognize me haha a couple days ago she said hi to me and asked how I was doing in a way that I'm sure she remembers haha. Oh, and this older lady who looked at my immunizations sheet (which I did not bring with me, so I told the lady "Uh...I think I'm already in the system...I'm just came back) was so excited for me! She was really nice haha. So my companion thinks I'm a celebrity or something haha.

Our district plays volleyball together everyday for gym, so I've gotten alright at it. At least, good enough for the elders to duck and cover when I spike it haha multiple people have come up and asked where I played at before my mission...uh, black light volleyball and after Institute? haha I just thought I'd toot my own horn a bit haha

My district was blown away when they found out how old I am haha that was pretty funny! My district is completely different than the last one. If you want some details, then write me haha I'm running out of time here!

While I've been here at the MTC, a ton of praying has been going on. Fo real. Praying for people here, praying for the people I'll be teaching, praying for people back home, praying praying praying. And you know something that I've learned a lot about? That prayers are answered. Without a doubt. We just have to keep our eyes open, and we will see the hand of the Lord in our lives.

Did you know, when you watch the Little Mermaid in French, that the chef is Italian, instead of French? We didnt watch it, that's just a tidbit that our teacher told us haha

Oh, another interesting tidbit. So, my companion is from England. Guess who his young men's president is. Martin Reed. Say whaaaaaaaaaaat! Crazy.

We watched "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" on Sunday night. It's an incredible movie. Go watch it, I'm pretty sure it's on the church website. Then write me and let me know what you think :)"We're not just building the Lord a temple, the Lord is building us." and "Perhaps I am meant to swim in deep water. Better deep than shallow." were just a couple of many amazing lines. The Spirit felt during that movie is incredible!

Lastly, a very dear friend of mine challenged me this last week to go up to the first person I saw, and talk to them for a few minutes and get to know them. Well, the challenge was accepted, and dominated. So that person will have a challenge coming right back at them when they get the letter that I write to them today! Not only did I get to know that one person more (Elder Johnson from Holladay, UT) but I've gotten to know many more people. Not that I wasn't a friendly person before, but I was a little reserved. That's not how missionaries are! So now, I try to be a friend to everyone I meet :) But of course, these new peeps aren't going to replace the incredible friends that I have already :)

Well, I gotta wrap it up! I hope everyone is doing fantastic! Spread the Gospel!

Keep your head up and keep smiling :)

Elder Anderson

Week Numero Uno

Note From The Editor:  I totally lied to you yesterday!  His P-Day is Tuesday but it looks like he was busy...like missionaries tend to be.

For the second time...I got a DearElder this week that pointed that out haha it made me laugh really hard! Anyways, the first week was awesome! Just so everyone knows, my P-day is on Tuesday's. Why am I writing an email on Wednesday you might ask?

Well, it's because they decided to send me on vacation on my P-day to Saaan Fraaaancisco! Price is Right style. I'll get to that in a bit though, I'll give a quick update on the rest of my week first.

So the first day was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be...I was expecting to handle it like a champ! Instead, I handled it like a baby. Okay not really, but it was a whole new experience, which was amazing. I love the MTC, it's seriously such an awesome place. Anyways, my companion is Elder Stobbs, he's from England! He's a really cool guy and we get along great! Not to mention we teach like champs! At least we try to haha he's picking up the language super fast! I'm doing my best haha I guess I know enough.
My teachers have said a couple times "How many years of French did you take?" It's a nice pick-me-up!

My district loves to play volleyball together, so we have fun with that every gym time. Once again, I just do my best haha. General Conference was amazing...can I get an "Aah yeah!"?! Wow, what an experience to hear an announcement about missionary service ages changing to 18 for men and 19 for women! Especially while being in the MTC! Hearing 2,500 missionaries cheer is pretty cool! Not to mention the Spirit is felt so strongly here, it's so amazing. General Conference was great, I loved Elder Christopherson's talk, President Eyring's in Priesthood, and President Monson's in the Prieshood session...I think. "Be a man!", the carving talk, and "seeing people as they can become, not as they are."

 So, San Francisco. I was told on Monday that the next day we would be going to San Francisco, and to be ready by 5 am the next morning. No problemo! It was a little rough getting up at 4:20, but it was worth it! I travelled with 4 other elders and getting to the French Consulate was a cinch. Funny tidbit: the driver was the same one as last time haha. Anyways, so we go in to get our visas, and we're sitting and waiting. I'm writing a letter while I wait, and I get a feeling like I should put it away for now because I can write more later. Right as I put it away, a woman behind me taps me on the shoulder and says "I have a question I think you can help me with." Saaaay whaaaaat. MIssionary dream!  So, turns out she is from Jamaica, and is in her 30's, and she had a cousin that was having a rough time. So I talked to her for a while, telling her that God loves all of His children and other gospel principles. Then I had to go up to get my visa, so other missionaries took over, but she kept looking up at me while I was at the visa counter as they talked. So when I was done, I went back over to her to talk some more, and then before we left, I gave her a Book of Mormon. With a pass-along card in it. For the first time in my life. What an experience! She said "This is for me? Really?" and I said "Yeah, we'd like to give this to you. I know that as you and your cousin read and pray, that God will answer the questions that you have." And that was that. Then we had to leave. But she was super nice and grateful for it! So, in the MTC for less than a week, one Book of Mormon given out. A few more people came up to me to talk yesterday, it was really cool!

Then we went to eat lunch at Pier 39, had some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, and then hit up the Golden Gate Bridge, took pictures, and talked to some more people! Amazing.

Then we came back to the MTC. Kind of sad, but kind of nice. I mean, otherwise I wouldn't have a way to write this! But, I'm gonna have to cut it off because I'm running out of time...sorry! You'll be hearing from me in a week! Just a thought, sometimes life gets tough, and things don't go our way, and it seems like there's no hope! Like when you first get to the MTC, there's a lot of adjusting. BUT, D&C 121: 7-9. "Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment", "if thou endure it well...thou shalt triumph over all thy foes", "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." I have a lot of people in my life to thank for those same things. So, thank you. A la prochaine!

Letter From the Editor

This is Katrina (Daniel's sister) checking in for him!  It looks like his P-day is Thursday and we didn't get an e-mail from him this week!!

Don't worry...I'll have words with him!

Until then, I've updated his address in the MTC so that you can go ahead and send him letters and things while he is in there!  I'm sure that he would LOVE to hear from you!

I speak for all of us when I say that we are so proud of him!!!

His current address is:

Elder Daniel Grant Anderson

MTC Mailbox #231

FRA-PAR 1203

2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793