Week 47: Awesomeness

This week was an awesome week! Why? Well, I've got some explaining to do!

To start off, I mentioned last week a man that came to a ward BBQ and he also came to church last week. We had an awesome lesson with him and he prayed for the first time in his life, and right afterwards he said that he felt very relieved and good. Well, if that wasn't awesome enough, he just keeps getting better! He had come to church and asked if he could have a copy of Gospel Principles (because we used it in class), so we gave him one. Well, he has read a ton of it and loves it! And he loves coming to church! He told us that he agrees with the Word of Wisdom, and without us even teaching it to him, he had already stopped drinking tea! He had read up in Gospel Principles, he's been praying, and he just loves the church! So in our last rendezvous with him, we asked if he would be baptized and he said yes! Then he said it again at church yesterday, so things have been going preeetty good over here! Maybe this is why I've been kept in Charleroi for so long! Interesting point: Dogan lives in a house that we have knocked before. I had knocked it with Elder Burgess when I first got here. Well, apparently Dogan just barely moved there a couple months ago, so that's why we didnt find him sooner! But now we've found him and thigns are going great!

This last week we also went over to a member's house to eat and it was delicious! The Dad works for the bus system here, so he gave me the bus driver uniform clip on tie! It's a cool one for the collection haha. Oh, and then a girl gave me a little heart cut out that she made...she was 5 years old haha.

We gave a lot of blessings this week, and people were very appreciative. It's amazing to see the power of the priesthood and also the respect that people have for it.

Jean Pierre is back! We finally got to see him again! It's been a little over a month now, but he's doing pretty good! He's found some friends, so he's doing a little better and he said that he's going to get his car in working order soon so that he can come to church! We're really hoping for the best for him!

We got a couple member referrals this week that were incredible! They were given to us from two families that we have been helping to strengthen lately, and now they are sharing the Gospel with their friends! THAT is what missionary work is all about! Our prayers have definitely been being answered!

I was sick on Saturday, which was a bummer. Then yesterday I had a migraine. Then today I woke up with a sore back haha but I'm okay now. I'm falling apart! Okay, not really haha I'm doing good now, don't worry! But even with those set backs, we were still able to get a lot done! Nothin's gonna tear me down!

A little scripture for the week, I read 3 Nephi 19:23 this morning and it was awesome! Christ prayed for everyone who would believe in the words of the apostles, so that means he prayed for us! That's some good motivation if I've ever had any!

Here are some pictures that I've taken recently!

Check it out! I'm back in Texas!

 And now I'm in England...

And now I'm in a hurricane haha

Okay back in Europe at a members house haha

I hope you're all doing great! Keep working hard!

Elder Daniel Anderson

Week 46: Baptisms Are Always Great!

Yep, baptisms are always great! And we got to see one this week! This last Saturday the sister missionaries here had a baptism in our ward! The girl's name is Forgive and she is 20 years old. She's from Ghana and her mom is wanting to get baptized in a couple weeks too! It was an awesome baptism and everyone was so happy! It's amazing to see the change in people's lives and how when they really apply the Gospel fully, that they REALLY DO see the blessings! That's something that I got to learn in my life, and it still amazes me when I see the same changes in other people! The Gospel is true!

So I kind of just told the most exciting part of the week, but there were still a couple other cool things that happened!

We had our district meeting with the whole zone this week, so we went to Liège again! I don't have any new pictures haha sorry! But to remind you, it was the place with the super cool train station haha. The meeting was super good! I learned a lot and it really inspired me to want to do the very best that I can! I love meetings like that haha that's what they're for! The assistants also came, and that was cool to get to know them a little bit. One of them grew up with my last companion, so that was fun to exchange stories!

This week we also had a BBQ! Say whaaat? In Belgium? You betcha! And it was pretty good! Not exactly the same as back home, but it was still pretty good!

We had invited a lot of people to it, but other than a few less actives (who came!), no one else had said that they would come. The day of the BBQ we had a rendezvous set up for 11, but the person wasnt there. It was a fake address haha oh well! We had only walked for half an hour in the rain haha. So then we decided to head to the BBQ because we had gotten a call that morning from someone that said they were going to show up! An ami! So he showed, said he couldnt stay long but he wanted to talk to people and see the church. Long story short, we taught him the first lesson, answered questions that he had, and taught him to pray. And then he prayed for the first time in his life. Right afterwards he let out a sigh and said "I feel so...relieved. I think there is something to this." YES! So it was an alazing rdv! He also came to church on Sunday and loved it! We have another rdv with him this week and hopefully some more after that! Oh, en plus (french for, "and there's more") he already knows some people in our ward from work! Just perfect!

Just chillin at the church eating some meet!

So, it was an awesome week haha and we're really hoping it just keeps getting better! I'm still here in Charleroi for a reason! And I'm gonna find it!

Just a couple pics from this week:

Look at the second floor window...weird huh?

This is my attempt of taking a picture when it was super sunny and still raining haha

I hope you're all doing fantastic and that life just gets better and better as you make it that way! That's the best way to do it! The grass is always greener where you water it! (yep, I just used that reference haha)

Elder Daniel Anderson

Week 45: New Companion

Well, my "son" is gone. He's been transferred away and left me here. I'm not bummed that I'm staying, but it was sad to see him go! He's awesome, and I know he's gonna do awesome things on his mission! So, I had thought that I was leaving, so we made sure we took pictures with everyone. So here are some!

This is our "amis class" at church. We teach Gwendoline right now, and Jhon is a recent convert!

This is me with the "most interesting man in the world" and his family! They're super awesome!

After saying all of the goodbyes, we headed to Brussels so that my companion could catch his train, so of course, it was picture time again!

This was a phone charging station that was free...as long as you made the energy yourself!

This is Elder Staples, I've known him for a long time!

It was sad to see Elder Stucki leave too, he's one of my good friends on the mission now!

So, after they all got on their trains to leave, I had to wait in the train station all day waiting for my new companion. And guess who I saw?

The branch president from Poitiers and his wife!

They had been on vacation and just happened to be at the train station at the same time as me! It was an awesome surprise!

My new companion is Elder Young and he's from Rigby, Idaho. He's a cool guy and we're hoping to see some awesome stuff this next transfer!

We were able to teach Gwendoline this week after she got back from vacation, and it went okay. We're still trying to figure out how to motivate her to apply all the things that she has already learned about the Gospel!

We received a ton of referrals this week, which was super nice! We're hoping that those all work out pretty well! We also have a BBQ at the church this week, so we went around inviting everyone possible to it! We're really hoping that there is a big turn out! I know I'll be there!

I know this was kind of short and to the point, and I'm sorry! I just ran out of time! Next week I'll give more updates!

Keep it real, and stay strong! And enjoy this next week!

Elder Daniel Anderson

Week 44: Transfers

It's that time again! Transfers this week! Exciting news to come!

So, during this past week, I knew that my family was on vacation. Yeah, maybe I felt a little jealous, but what about it?! I still put in work! I still need to throw out some shout outs, like Happy Birthday Grandpa!!! I hope it was an awesome birthday! And also, congratulations to Katrina, Aaron and Zach! I wish I could have been there for the baby blessing! I'm sure it was awesome :)

It might sounds like I miss home a little bit right now, but don't worry, people are taking good care of me here, that's for sure!

They feed us good over here! The other half was for my companion haha

This is the Tricot family, they're super nice!

This last week, we got a text from a recent convert named Jhon. He seemed a little worried about something and wanted to meet with us pronto, so we hurried over to the park to talk to him. He seemed like something was on his mind and so we shared a spiritual thought with him, and then he opened up. We were prepared for the worst, and then he says "I'm really nervous, because I want to bear my testimony on Sunday, but I'm not sure if I'll be brave enough to do it." What a relief! THAT I can help with! We gave him a good pep talk and he was ready to go! That was a little miracle that happened this week for us :)

Oh, I also went on an exchange with Elder Stucki this week, one of the Elders that I live with. It was awesome! He's gotten to be one of my really good friends out here, so I'm pretty sad that he's being transferred. But I'm sure that I'll see him again before the end of my mission haha so no worries!

So, transfers. We got the news! And....I'm staying in Charleroi! For a 4th transfer! I'm actually pretty pumped about it haha I like it here! I'll be getting a new companion though because the companion that I just trained is being transferred to another city. That's kind of sad too, but I know he'll have a blast!

I know I don't have a lot to say today and I'm sorry! I promise that I'll write more next week! Oh, and I'll have more pictures too haha don't you worry!

Have an awesome week, and I hope you're all praying and reading your scriptures every night! It's important!

I hope you all have an awesome week!

Elder Daniel Anderson

Week 43

This last week was pretty awesome! I'll start from the top so that it all makes sense. haha

Patrick, our ward mission leader, took us out again on his last Monday of vacation haha he's a super nice guy! He took us to some caves! They were awesome! They were kind of like Carlsbad caverns, minus the crying part (only a select few will understand that reference, so if you don't, you can ask around hahaha)

Editors Note:  I'll fill you in because I know what he is talking about.  One summer we went to Carlsbad caverns...and it had been a particularily long couple of days driving out there.  On the day we went to Carlsbad caverns, all the kids wanted to kill each other.  Ermmmm....were TRYING to kill each other.  By the time we got out of the car to go to the caves pretty much everyone was in tears and ANGRY.  There are pictures to prove it.  If I had them with me, I would post...sorry.  End of Note.

Here are some sweet pictures from the caves!

I'm not gonna write captions for them haha they explain themselves I guess haha they're rocks!

During the tour, everyone in the tour, except for us, spoke dutch. The tour guide spoke both french and dutch, so it wasn't a problem, but what was cool was that they referred to us as francophones, or french speakers. I don't know if I would count myself as a fluent french speaker, but it was nice of someone else to tell me that haha. I learned a lot during the tour too!

After we got back from the caves, we did our emails, where a surprise was waiting! We received a referral from the church website! And it gave us an address, phone number, and a little message that said (In french) "I wish to be put in contact with the Mormon missionaries because I wish to become Mormon. Thank you." Does it get better than that?! I was pumped! We have been working and working and not understanding why we hadn't been having much success, but someone had seen our work and brought the people to us! We got in contact with the referral and went and taught him! His name is Romuald, he is 28 years old, from Togo, and he is very interested in our church! We're really excited about him, and he said that when he knows that the church is true, he will be baptized! That was definitely an exciting part of the week :)

I also went on exchanges this week with one of my old companions haha that was a little weird! It was only weird because it took me back in the day haha the exchange went well! We met a lady, taught her, and she accepted to have us come back, so the other companionship will be in charge of that haha it was a good exchange!

My companion and I got let in porting the other day too, and the man told us that he had seen something on the TV about our church and wanted to talk to us to see if it was really true. He had also seen us around town all the time and asked himself why we would do such a thing, so he let us teach him. He ended up not being interested, but we were able to clear up a lot of his questions, so it wasn't a failure!

That was my week! I also found a few pictures that I forget to send the last couple weeks, so here you go!

Check it out! Root Beer!

It was delicious. There is a military base in another city in our district, and the elders there brought it for me. It's all about the people you know! And yes, I shared it with everyone haha.

 This is Bernard! A less active that we would visit that has been coming to church for the past 2 months now!

So I like poopies and light tan, what about it? This was at a less active's house haha

I hope you all have an awesome week! Oh, and for a little scripture study, read Helaman 10 and 11 and check out how much patience Nephi has!

Keep it real!

Elder Daniel Anderson

Week 42: Vacation!

So, vacation times hasn't been super kind to us over here haha I know "Vacation" is usually a time for celebration, but not when all of your amis leave town for 2-4 weeks haha but it's okay, that has given us some time to find new ones! So hopefully we'll find some pretty soon!

One experience that we had this last week was that we had been out all day long contacting people in the road and knocking doors, without much success. Then a super nice car pulls over in a neighborhood and a 30 something year old guy is leaning over wanting to talk to us. I wasn't too surprised, because people ask us for directions all the time, but this guy asked "Do you know Elder _____ (I don't remember the name). I want to know if he's still in Belgium or went back to Italy." I replied that I didnt, but asked how long ago he had met him, and he said that it had been 10 years. So, I told him that he was most likely in Italy. He was a little bummed but still talked to us for a minute. Turns out he wants to get in contact with this missionary because this guy used to be homeless, and the missionary would give him some food to eat every once in a while. They had talked about religion and the importance of changing ourselves in order to change our lives, and he wanted to thank this missionary. He assured us that he was able to change his life and make money legally, but that he really appreciated what that missionary had done for him. Now this guy has a family, good job, and a super nice car haha. He said he was interested in doing geneology, so we'll see how it goes!

Like I've mentioned before, we've been doing a lot of work with less-active members, and it's been working pretty well! One man we had gone to teach, and he told us about how his life was in shambles. We shared a message about prayer and how we can get responses to prayers at church. Well, we saw him in the road a week or so later, and he appraoched us, all excited to tell us how he has been praying a lot more lately and how his life is all in order now! It was awesome! And the icing on the cake? He was at church yesterday!

So, last week our ward mission leader took us to see another sight! It was an American Military Cemetery from World War II. The stories that they shared with us were incredible, and it made me realize just how brave and heroic those soldiers were.

The cemetery

A great quote in the memorial

 An unknown soldier

All of us at the cemetery

My feet on American soil!

It was a great trip, and a very memorable one!

This week our ward mission leader also taught us some french proverbs haha one is "Les chiens aboient et la caravane passe", and the meaning behind it is basically "Haters gon' hate" haha people are gonna say stuff, but we gotta keep on rolling! Life goes on! So no matter what, do what you know is right, and don't worry about what people say! Choose the Right!

One more cool pic I took this week in a members backyard haha

I hope you all have an awesome week!

Elder Daniel Anderson

Week 41: Another Travel Week!

So, this was a big travel week! And it's still going! Well, now that I'm back from a little travel today, it'll be a little calmer for a bit.

Last P-Day, our ward mission leader took us to do a cool activity! It was a bicycle rail riding thing hahah the pictrues will make it easier to understand haha basically we rode a bike contraption on a railroad track! It was awesome!

This was our weapon of choice.

And this is how it went haha

We saw some cool stuff along the way!

This is where we ate lunch.

This house is for sale! So if there are any takers, let me know! haha

It was an awesome day! Patrick, our ward mission leader, is great! It was super nice of him to take us!

Then the next day, I had exchanges with Elder Stucki, one of the other elders that lives in my aprtment, and we were working in my area. It went really well! We taught a few lessons and I had a great time getting to know Elder Stucki!

This is nearby where Elder Stucki and I knocked some doors haha

On my mission, I've given the Church's How to Stop Smoking Program to 2 people. And the two people have taken it different ways. It was interesting to see how one took it, read it, understood it, but then decided to only do and follow parts of it. The other person took it, read it, understood it, and committed to follow it exactly. The first person is still struggling to quit, while the second person has been going strong for 2 weeks and even has introduced the program to their neighbors and is quitting with them too! When I compare the two examples, it's obvious that it's the same with everything in the Gospel! We're given the guidelines, and whether we really apply them or not is how we end up with the results that we get! It was a really eye opening experience for me!

This week I also went to Paris, because my companion had to do his legality, so while he was doing that, I paired up with another missionary and we had been given a missionary scavenger hunt to do by the Assistants! So we headed out into Paris for the day! It was awesome!

No big deal.

Eiffel Tower

Me again

Some weird monument...

My mission!

It was a really exciting day! And it was amazing how many Americans and members of the church that we met! We're everywhere....haha

I have to wrap this up, but we've been doing a lot of less active work lately, and we've been seeing miracles! I'll write about them next week! People are just coming out of the woodwork and it's awesome!

I hope you all have an amazing week! Keep being awesome!

Elder Daniel Anderson