Monday, October 28, 2013

Week 56: Transfer Surprises

So, I need to start out with a little shout out because it is a special day today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATRINA! It's my sister's birthday and she deserves a happy birthday! She's the one who makes this blog happen, so if I ever tell any good stories, it's probably just her changing my words around to make me sound cool haha but really, she's awesome!

Also, another shout out, I want to say thank you so much to the Katy 2nd Ward Beehives! I got your card! Thank you so much, you girls are awesome!

This week was an interesting one, that's for sure! It was the last week of the transfer and it was also my companions birthday this week! So, we got invited over a lot haha. But first...

On Tuesday we went and visited a man that we had met at the Chinese restaurant last week, and on our way, our train got cancelled. So...we called him to tell him, and he said he would just come pick us up. YES. So he took us to his house, and when we walked in he started playing an old cassette tape of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! So we listened to "Onward Christian Soldiers!" with him haha and it was old school! The lesson went pretty well, and he's a cool guy from Madagascar. It's pretty exciting how the Lord puts people in our path for us to find and help!

On Wednesday, we had a super interesting experience. My companion, Elder Lamb, had an aunt who was actually in town and our mission president gave her permission to take us out to dinner for Elder Lamb's birthday! So, she came and took us out to get some fancy pizza over by the Eiffel Tower. No big deal I guess....haha I was in awe. It was so cool! And she was super nice! She even took a picture of me and Elder Lamb and emailed it to my mom from her phone haha.

On Thursday we went over to a member's house (Soeur Ferrazza) to do a little service, and then to eat! Well, her and a thai friend made some DELICIOUS thai food! Wow it was incredible. I was so happy haha she had done it for my companions birthday, but I sure felt like it was mine haha I was so happy to be eating Thai food! I'll be sending pictures soon!

So, another miracle. Do you remember when I told the story of when we went to visit a less active member, they weren't there, so we contacted some people and found 2 people that said they would come to church? And then we found a man on the bus too? Well, this last week, that less active member (who actually is not less active, but left the church completely when he was younger) called us up and said that he wanted to meet with us. He had been reading some in the Book of Mormon and he had been watching Mormon Messages on youtube, and he felt like he needed to see us. So we went to see him, of course! It was an incredible meeting! He told us about his life, and about spiritual experiences that he had had in his life and how special they were to him. He talked about his parents and brothers and how much he loves them and respects the good examples they are to him. He told us about how he sings Primary songs with his 3 year old son before he goes to bed every night. He told us also that the night we had passed by and he wasn't there, it was a miracle. He said that the day before he had prayed for a really long time asking how he could improve his life and what he needed to do to have the life that he wanted. The next night, we passed by his house (and missionaries hadn't passed by in a year) and he wasn't there. When he got home, his wife (who is not a member of the church) told him that we had passed by, and he said he knew immediately that it was a sign. Sometimes we don't understand the reason for everything, but when we look back, we can understand perfectly. Before we left that appointment, he asked us if we could sing with him, so he grabbed his guitar and we sang "I am a Child of God" and then "The Army of Helaman" song. It was a really special night.
Also, another surprise! And a little background: this transfer I've been having some problems with my back. It's getting better now, don't worry! But until it's completely better, the mission president wants me to take it easy a little, so I'm not going to be a zone leader this next transfer. But he said that he's going to put me right back as soon as he can haha so we'll see what happens. So, I'm being transferred this week! And I'm going to be living in....Versailles! Haha not bad right? haha I guess I'm being spoiled a little, but I don't mind! I know I'm going to love it! I'm sad that I'm already leaving Antony, because I really like the people here, but I know it will be great in Versailles too!

Now for a little wisdom from the mission president's wife, Soeur Poznanski. This week she told us to never give up on our goals! She said that when we make good goals, Satan will try to stop us because he doesn't want us to succeed, and that makes it look, at times, like our goals are impossible to attain. Don't give in to that temptation! We might have challenges along the way, but don't ever give up! Get back up, and show Satan that you are better than him! He can't bring you down to be miserable like him! Soeur Poznanski is a smart lady, trust me! I mean, even Elder Ballard copied her "bring a soul to Christ for Christmas" idea! haha everyone in the mission loved that during General Conference! That has been our goal here for Christmas for the past 2 years!

Our mission motto this year is Ether 3:5, and it's a powerful, but simple scripture. Read it! And think about how much power the Lord has already shown in your life, even if they are little things. And remember always that you can rely on Him to help you!

Have an awesome week! Keep smiling!


Elder Daniel Anderson

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