Hello Again!

Monday, December 25, 2017

Hello my sweet family,

It was so amazing to be able to share the time with you over Skype and to enjoy that special time together. It truly invited the spirit of Christmas and made my heart happy.

Also because I just talked to all of you about 2 hours ago I'll just send a general email to all of you today! Also because I'll be short on time because we are celebrating and having fun :)

I think the world becomes a little more bright and the people's hearts become a little kinder around Christmas time every year. There's something about the spirit of Christmas that can change people. I have come to know that it is more than the spirit of Christmas, rather it is the spirit of Christ.

But that wonderful feeling of the holidays doesn't need to stop just because the day has passed. I encourage each of you to continue living Christlike lives so that we can have the spirit of Christ with us always!

During the last week we got to go carrolling to a bunch of families, as a group of missionaries and with some of the members. We went around and carrroled to members and their neighbors! I was assigned as picture taker :) easy to take selfies with such long arms.

Today we woke up early and went on a Christmas Bike Ride! That was pretty fun. We definitely got matching flannels and beanies given to us by an investigator! That was super awesome. After that we went back home and opened some packages we had received. Thank you to all of you who thought of me this Christmas season! All your gifts made me smile. After that we got to get cleaned up and then Skype our families! That was the best!

Now we are going to visit and enjoy Christmas with some of the members of the Branch. They are all super excited and so are we.

I love you all and wish you the happiest of Christmases and New Year.

Elder Anderson

Attached are pictures of us caroling, dinner with Guillermo on Christmas eve, opening gifts this morning, and a cake I tried to make in the microwave! Love you all!

Hey all you guys!

Monday, December 18, 2017

What's happening!? There's so many exciting things happening for all of you!

Mom and Dad - So cool that you are all moved in and that everything is going well. I am happy to see you are repainting some of the walls. As beautiful as mustard yellow is I think the color you chose will look very nice! Also super cool that you are going to see elder Merrills parents tonight! Be sure to take and send pictures. :) Most of all I'm so happy to know that you have already seen the blessing of moving closer to family. It looks like you have been able to spend some much needed quality time with them!

Cam and Shirley - Shirley you're huge! In a cute way! That baby is so big. I guess I hadn't seen a good picture of you yet until the last one you sent, but I couldn't help just screaming "Woah! She's so pregnant!" Definitely got some weird looks from the people in Dennys but it made me smile. Let me tell you how excited I am to be an uncle. I feel like there's a lot of responsibility being an uncle. I can only imagine how you both feel with being new parents soon. You will see so many miracles and blessings from God as you lead your family in righteousness.

Chloe - Super bien que tienes este nuevo trabajo! Espero que tenga éxito en este tiempo! I don't know how to speak Portuguese so I used Spanish which is the closets I could get. But I really hope you enjoy this new experience and time to learn and grow. I also think it's cool you can use your language ability to find work, that's sweet!

So nothing's really changing with me! I haven't been buying any new cars or houses like you all have been. Arkansas is so amazing but I don't think I will be expecting a white Christmas :). I think one of the biggest Christmas Miracles I see is the way that people open their hearts to the spirit of Christmas and turn to God in this special time of the year. Missionary work becomes so natural with everyone because we are all celebrating Jesus Christ, who is at the center of our message!

Some fun pictures for all of you this week!

Got to enjoy Denny's, which is one of my favorite cheap places to eat. $4 all you can eat pancakes is definitely a miracle.

Picture of elder Merrill and I at a branch Christmas party we had! Hispanics definitely know how to throw a good party

Some of may favorite selection of the MASSIVE wall of candles they have at the stores here. They believe that if you light them and pray you will receive the things on them. Not sure why anyone would want to light Golden Death.... That one I don't understand...

That's all I have for this week but have an amazing Christmas and I can't wait to hear from and email all of you on Christmas! I also am excited to Skype you all! I think the time that would work best is 12 noon on Christmas day! That should be 11 am in Utah and sometime around 7 in Germany right? Correct me if I'm wrong but 12 noon my time would be great :). I won't have a lot of time, only around 30 - 40 min so come prepared haha! I know mom will have her list of things to talk about :) that's my favorite.

Love you all!

Elder Anderson

Christmas Miracles

Monday, December 11, 2017

Hello All!

So I'm looking for something cool to tell you all about! First thing is that Elder Merrill and I have been together as companions for a week and that has been really cool so far! We work really hard together as well as have a good time. When we bike to places we often see who can ride the best wheelies! I'm getting better! My goal is to ride a better wheelie than my dad but the time I get home. You've been warned!

As far as how the work is going, we have been working with the members in our branch a lot these last few weeks and it has been lots of fun! They have opened up to us tons and we are gaining their friendship. One of the nights we went and got tacos with Hermano Robles (counselor in branch presidency), Hermana Roper (Relief Society Pres), and Hermana Ropers brother! It was super fun and the food was good! This guy started selling tacos from the front porch, but eventually people starting coming so much it blocked the neighborhood roads and the police told him he couldn't do it at his house anymore. So now he sells them at this abandoned bowling alley! It is actually super fun to go and eat there! They out every cut of meet into the taco and the tripa (intestine) and lengua (tongue) are actually the best ones and the most popular that he makes.

I think I've fallen in love with the tacos here. There are taco trucks about every block and they sell tacos for really cheep! Usually around $1 a taco! You can go and get them loaded up with all the toppings and then put some really good salsa over the top. They are nothing like the American tacos, these put those tacos to shame!

We also are going to have a lot of dinners with members in the coming months, which is something that hasn't really happened that much since I've been here. It's going to be awesome to be able to meet with the families in their homes. We are always so grateful for them feeding us and we hope by the time we leave we have fed them spiritually. The branch here is so strong and the members really show the light of Christ in everything they do.

This last Tuesday we got to spend a lot of it with an investigator named Geovanni! He is from Nicaragua and he us super fun to be around. He works in the mall at the Chinese restaurant. We taught a really good lesson to him and his sister. We then went to dinner with him at a really good Mexican restaurant that he works at as well! He just bought a car this last week and it was the first time he drove so that was interesting! He did really good for it being his first time driving, and the food was super good.

Christmas is right around the corner and I am so excited! I think the biggest gift I will love and cherish is my family! I will be able to Skype on Christmas and I am so excited to talk to them! My family is the best gift the Lord has given me. I'm also so grateful that they all now live so much closer together. I pray for all of you daily.

So much love for all of you!

Elder Anderson

Giovanni in his new car (Honda accord)

Me and my companion playing pool! The apartment complex south of us has a cool clubhouse that we go to and use their Wi-Fi! Just took this picture.

Us at 3rd realm today for pday as well! All the people in the picture are serving in South little rock and Benton. It's a trampoline park! Super fun.

Transfer News!

Monday, December 4, 2017

So there's a lot of exciting things happening!

Let me first start off by explaining some of the changes that happened in our area and Little Rock in general. So elder Giles, who has been my companion for 3 months, got transferred to west Memphis and left this morning for there. Meanwhile I will be staying here in the same area in Little Rock. My new companion's name is Elder Merrill. He is from Logan, Utah! All you family that live over there keep your eyes out! He's an Aggie fan through and through so that will make some of you smile! Mom and dad you should totally try and see his family once you all get settled in!

In other exciting news I got called by our President and am now the district leader for all the Spanish missionaries in Little Rock. It was definitely a shock for me as well as most of the mission. Usually people are out a while before they get put into leadership. Everyone in my district has been out over 16 months and I've only been out 3. So that's definitely intimidating and exciting at the same time! I pray that God will help me fulfill this assignment though and I am sure He has plans for me. I'm thankful for this new opportunity to serve and grow.

I'm also super excited because I will be in Little Rock for probably another 3 months or so! I'll be able to spend Christmas here with the second best group of people I know. My family will always be the best! The Spanish congregation here has a heart of gold. They love and serve in wonderful ways and exemplify the characteristics of Christ. I'm also getting supper excited to be able to have a fun time with all of them, but will for sure miss all of you!

It's starting to get cold here but that's ok! It feels super nice when you are riding a bike. We had a visit from Elder Robbins this week. He is a part of the 70. I encourage all of you to look up a talk he gave this last fall at BYU education week titled '100% responsible.' Or something along those lines!

I'm super having fun though and I am enjoying the work! Crazy to know that the parents are moving and a bunch of changes with the church organization where I am from are taking place! I know that God has a hand in every single one of our lives. When you think God has left you alone, that is often the best time to realize that we need to look a little harder.

I know thus gospel is true without any doubt. I am thankful for the continual peace and comfort I receive from the sweet message of our Savior. Remember him this Christmas season!

Love you and Merry Christmas

Elder Anderson

Me and my two new companions :)

Hello Family!

Monday, November 27, 2017

Let me tell ya about my week!

So on thanksgiving we had a great time (but I totally forgot to take pictures)!

We started off the day by waking up and doing studies which is always one of my favorite parts of the day. Also we have been running every morning, so that's been really good and it feels great to get good exercise! Then at 11 we went over the the Robles family and we raked a bunch of leaves in their backyard! By the time we were done the pile was taller than I was! Along with the kids we took turns jumping into it from the porch. Then we bagged it up and left off to our first dinner of the evening. That stared at 1 and we were able to spend about an hour with some of the members from our branch! All of them speak Spanish and aren't from the US so they tried to make a thanksgiving dinner and it turned out pretty interesting! But that was way fun. Then at 3 we went over to Bishop Warners house and a lot of the missionaries met there to have a meal! He is the bishop of the English ward that meets in the same building as us.

We went to see Guillermo during the week too and he is doing awesome! He knew we didn't have a Christmas tree so he bought us one! It is so nice! We are definitely going to enjoy having it! Also we are probably going to spend Christmas morning with him and another member of our branch because they are the only ones of their families that live in the US! Can't wait!

That's all for this week but I am doing amazing and enjoying the fall and reduced temperatures! I dread the day when it will start to get hot again...

Elder Colton Anderson

Thanksgiving y'all!

Monday, November 20, 2017

Hola!

This week has been a blast! I got a haircut today! Finally! And this time it was by an actual hairdresser. It looks good I hope! She also gave me a close razor shave today for free because I'm a missionary! It was kind of scary but my face feels really smooth!

Thanksgiving is around the corner and I have SO many things to be thankful for. But I would like to talk about 3.

Family, Life, The Gospel

I will go through and explain each a little bit more specifically because by themselves they are very broad topics.

Family - My family is one of the biggest blessings God has given me. When we share the , message of the Restoration of the Gospel, one of the first points we share is that the gospel blesses families. I know that families are ordained of God and that they are the central and most important unit in society and in God's eternal plan. Right now my whole family is flying to Germany so they can be together this holiday season and my mom's birthday. I know that I have been raised in an amazing family with good parents that taught me principles of truth ever since I was young.

Life - God has given each of us body's and our own ability to choose. What a wonderful gift. I am so grateful in this thanksgiving season for my own life and that God allows me to learn and grow. He guides me and let's me make my own decisions. Also the beautiful world we have been sent to puts a smile on my face every day! Especially Arkansas :)

The Gospel - The gospel of Jesus Christ is an amazing and beautiful gift. If not the most wonderful gift I have ever been given. Every day I have the amazing opportunity to wake up with the one goal and purpose to invite others to come unto Christ.

In reality I would like to point out that these 3 things should be on all of our 'lists' this year. They are all connected and that is by God. If one of these things didn't make it to the top of the things you are grate ful for this year, look a little deeper.

Love you all!

Elder Colton Anderson

Finally got a real haircut. Cool car, but we were moving so I only got half of it. Me and Giles getting a ride to Jonesborough.

Feed the missionaries!

Friday, November 17, 2017

The following is from a a txt message we received from a church member in the area where Colton is serving:

Hi, I'm sister Nidia , Elder Anderson enjoying Salvadoran pupusas, in my house, he really love this food. They came every Tuesday.

Many people are very kind.  They love, serve, and give of their substance like Christ.  We (his parents) are so grateful.

Hey my favorite people!

Monday, November 13, 2017

I love being a missionary! I have never experienced so much joy and seen the hand of God in my life so much more than when I am serving a mission.

I can't believe I have already been a missionary for 4 months, I don't know where the time has gone! I guess the days fly by when I'm working hard and doing the things I am supposed to.

I don't ever know what to tell all of you about my week! I guess I should probably tell you more but at the same time I just wish each one of you could be right here next to me in this amaxi g place.

Okay I thought of something to tell you! I'm going to tell you about the area I'm serving in. I'm serving in little rock Arkansas (now is when you get out a map). And I'm in the actually city of Little Rock. When I think of a capitol big city I always think of something like Denver, this is not like Denver at all! First things first is it is very very flat. Not much going on here geographically. There are tons of trees, any space that has been built on is pretty much because they have cleared the trees from that area. We don't walk through the trees or fields though because there are lots of bugs and spiders and snakes. Sidewalks and streets are usually the best option! The heart of the city only has a few tall buildings and such but I'm not usually up there that much. All the Spanish speaking community lives south of the Arkansas river, and that is where we spend most of our time. The further south you go in little rock the more and more Latino it gets. We spend a lot of our time down near baseline road! Look it up on Google maps some time it's a really fun area. The people are absolutely amazing. I have grown to love them so much. Would I ever live in Arkansas, truthfully probably not... but would I live near these people? Absolutely! I would be with them wherever in the world they lived. Hopefully one day you all will have the chance to meet them.

I love the food too! Carne asada, papoosas, tacos, and rice makes up a lot of what we eat! Already those are some of my favorites. I get to try food from around the world! The people in our congregation and the people we run into on the streets ranch from a wide variety of places. Most are from different parts of Mexico but a lot are from Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Equador! They are all so unique and different!

So that's me! I'm super excited about the Christmas season that is approaching. The church is doing a Light the World (illumina el mundo) campaign. It's going to be awesome! I encourage each of you to check it out and participate with me!

I know Christ is my Savior. I love Him and choose to serve Him every day! I encourage you all to do the same and start on that path. Find out some cool ways how at Mormon.org

Love you all so much

Elder Anderson

These pictures include a picture of Jonathan, a boy from the church, when he was wearing my name tag! He will be a great missionary some day.

Julio, one of the member from the ward as well. We were reading scriptures with him.

And my Light the World cards next to the awesome candle I got from my family! It smells great. The picture on it fell off. Also thanks for all the other awesome things in there. :)

Also I promise I don't only wear the teenage mutant ninja turtle suit. Only when I get home at night before I go to bed!

Hello and Hola!

Monday, November 6, 2017

I know I say this way much more than I should but I don't have a lot of time to email this week! But I'm going to make sure this general email is really good :).

So let me tell you how much I love being a missionary. I love it so much! I think this work is one of the biggest blessings someone can receive in their life. Being a missionary and being trusted to share this message is so special.

So today was P-day and we went to Walmart earlier today to do all of our grocery shopping. While we were about to check out I saw a clearance rack with all of the Halloween costumes for kids. Right before we checked out I went over and found a adult sized Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle onesie. And it was super on sale for only 6 dollars! I impulse bought my costume and am pretty sure I am going to wear it every night when I sleep. We went to buy pizza from Little Caesars (still my favorite) and I decided to wear it there. Got some weird looks but it definitely made me happy. There's a picture of me at Little Caesars below with Elder Barron! He's another Elder that also serves in the Spanish branch, but he is in a different companionship.

We had a really good night last Saturday night as we tried to contact some people that hadn't been to church in a while. We got supper warm responses from all of them and ended up staying a while with each of the families. We are excited to work more with them and are planning on going back soon to share a message about how we can remember Jesus Christ, especially as we prepare for Christmas.

There's a really cool tunnel up in North Little Rock that's a lot of fun. We went up there a few days ago to and I got a cool picture in the tunnel!

I love this area I am serving in so much and have learned so much. I am so happy that I know about Jesus and what he did for me. Often times I think we complicate the gospel too much. When really we need to realize that Christ is at the center. Everything we teach about and believe in centers around him.

I want each and everyone of you to know, in fact I want to world to know, that Jesus is the living Son of God. He is our brother and our personal redeemer. I know that as we live His gospel we can find true happiness and peace. It is only through him that we can find eternal peace and happiness.

Love you all so much!

Elder Anderson

I gave myself a haircut!

Monday, October 30, 2017

Hello! So excited to talk to all of you!

I don't think we have any Kroger stores back home, but guess what?! You can scan the Book of Mormon when you are checking out and it gives you a discount! I'm not even joking... I didn't think it was real until I saw it. Pretty cool though! I guess the Kroger people must really like the Book of Mormon.

So last week we had dinner with Hermana Nidia, and that was super fun. She's a single lady that's older. She made us a really good dinner. After wards I asked her how she makes papoosas. She got all the stuff for it and taught me how! They are an El Salvadoran dish and are easy to make, cheap, and taste pretty good. I bought the stuff to make them and that's pretty much all I have eaten the last week! They're like latino hot pockets.

Last Tuesday we were with Julio and Yair for dinner. That was a lot of fun and then after Julio gave us a ride to English class! He came with us this week which was way awesome. He's a recent convert. He also drives really slow on the highway! We were definitely going 45 in a 75! I got a picture of it. He didn't notice and it was really funny because all of us missionaries were laughing/thinking We were going to die, and he didn't think it was a big deal!

It's actually started to get pretty cold here! I know you won't believe me when I say that but the cold here is a lot different. It only gets down to like 50, but the humidity makes it feel a lot colder! It also feels colder because we are riding bikes. I like riding the bikes though!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! We were at Dollar General last Monday and I bought some hair clippers! My hair was getting a little long so I gave myself a haircut and it turned out a lot better than I thought it would! People actually complemented it and didn't believe me when I said I did it my self! Don't have any pictures of it but that's OK.

Lastly we had another one of our music performances yesterday! This time it was here in little Rock. It was super cool. There were about 50 of us missionaries singing and the audience filled a stake center! That's always a cook feeling. All of the songs were I'm English except 2 of them which the Spanish missionaries sang. We sang "if the savior stood beside me" and "Placentero nos es trabajar" which is a hymn that's only in the Spanish hymnbook. It loosely translates to "it makes us happy to work". So that was a lot of fun to sing!

Before I sign off j want to share something from my scripture study this week! It is the whole chapter of 2 Nephi 29. I invite you all to read it this week. Many people, especially here in the south say there is no more to add unto the words of the Bible, but God still talks to his people. He communicated with and sent prophets to the Americas during the same time as the Bible. His dealings with them are recorded in the book we call the Book of Mormon. It is the word of God. I tell you all as family and friends that I know it is true and correct. The Bible and the Book of Mormon together contain the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that by reading and praying about it each one of you can receive a witness of its truthfulness. Don't just take my word for it, but go and ask God yourself. If you do this with sincerity and pure intent He will answer you.

Well that's all from me this week! Love and miss all of you! So happy to be here.

Elder Anderson

PS The picture of us in the car has me with my new haircut! I actually did pretty good.

1 transfer down in the field!

Monday, October 23, 2017

Hello Everyone!

It's official I have successfully completed 3 months in the mission! Part of me thinks whoa, that's a long time. Then again, when you look at the fact that I have another 21 months it feels like I'm just beginning. I am so happy to be here though and that I have so much more time to serve and be in this mission.

Yesterday I got to be a part of confirming Guillermo a member of the church! It was so cool because he was so excited. I performed the ordination which was really special. He was so happy and it was easy to see the physical difference in how he appeared after the prayer. I asked him how he felt after and he simply replied, "The spirit is a beautiful thing."

We also had transfers today! That means that every 6 weeks you might get sent to another place in the mission. However elder Giles and I are staying in the same area for this next 6 weeks! It will be really good to keep working with him and with this area. I have really grown to love this area and all its people. They all have such strong faith.

I figured out how to make papoosas last Tuesday! It's like an empanada from el Salvador. That's all I've been eating the last week. They are filling and very cheep to make.

I'm going to send a few kind of different pictures but I think you will all enjoy them! They're just little windows into my life.

I don't know what order they are going to be in but here is what they are!
- My desk! I study at this desk for 4 hours every day. I have grown to love it! The blue chair next to it we found on the side of the road and carried it about a mile back to our apartment. After we checked for bugs we decided to keep it! It's my favorite chair
- A picture of Guillermo's house. I don't know why but I just really like his red door! It looks really good.
- A picture of English class. We teach a free English class every Tuesday and Thursday at the church! We usually have a pretty good turn out and it's a great way to meet new people.
- A picture with elder Russell! He's an elder from the area where mom and dad are moving to! It was really fun to talk to him about Richmond.

That's all I got this week! I'll talk to you in one more :)

Elder Anderson

Guillermo's Baptism

Monday, October 16, 2017

Hello Everyone!

This week was a great one that I will definitely remember for a while. This weekend was especially cool.

Some random little things that made me smile this week:
1. I was riding through Boyle Park (refer to last emails) and I popped my tire.  It was too big of a hole to patch, so I just took the tire off and replaced the tube. Im really thankful to my dad that he taught me how to do that. He is the smartest guy I know. It was actually really nice to be able to take a break and enjoy how pretty the park was. I guess God knew that I needed a little break, even if it was changing a tire.

2. I got a package from my family! It was packed full of a bunch of halloween stuff and decorations. My mom always knows exactly how to brighten my day! Thanks so much for thinking of me.

3. We went to a trampoline park this morning!(Monday the 16th) The ward mission leader in one of the areas in our zone owns a trampoline park! Don't have any pictures but its similar to jump street! He let a group of about 10 of us missionaries in for free, since today is our preparation day we got permission to go! Only bummer was right when we got there one of the first things I did was this free fall thing. Its a giant inflatable pad that you can fall from 2 stories on to. It was super cool and the 3rd time I did it I accidentally went to far off to one side. I kinda bounced off the side and then hit the ground. Might have a little bit of a black eye in next weeks photos but other than that I'm totally ok! It'll just be a good conversation starter I guess! Don't worry mom Im not hurt :)

But now onto the coolest and funnest thing Ive done in a long time! We had the baptism of Guillermo. It was such a special experience.

We went over to his house around 8 on Saturday night just to see how he was feeling. He said he was a little nervous but still definitely wanted to do it. My companion and I bought him a nice new white shirt and tie earlier that morning. For about 30 min we taught him how to tie a tie. For the last 30 min we read the scriptures with him. It was just what all of us needed. I know that God can communicate with us through the scriptures when we approach them with an open heart.

Then Sunday came and it was branch conference! The members of the stake presidency had all prepared talks. However only one of the 3 spoke Spanish. The other two had to have translators. I got to translate in priesthood meeting and my companion in the sacrament meeting. It was really cool to feel confident enough with my Spanish to translate for someone. God has truly blessed me to help me learn this language.

Right after church ended at 4, we had our baptismal service at 4:30. Almost all of our branch showed up! We had about 20 people there! The service was so beautiful, and our elders quorum president, Presidente Ollivares, baptized Guillermo. It was really cool to see and witness.

The whole entire branch stuck around after to have food and just talk. One thing that latinos definitley know how to do is have good food, and a good party. We were all able to talk and celebrate Guillermo and his descision to follow Christ.

So thankful that the gospel has been restored in its fullness to the earth. I know Christ lives. He is our personal savior and redeemer. The scriptures are a gift God has given us to communicate with him and learn more of his Gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love you all and have an amazing week!

Elder Anderson