Elder Colton Anderson: December 2019

My Testimony

Monday, July 15, 2019

Dearest Family and Friends,

This last week and the week to come are bound to be some of the most hectic and fast paced in my life. I am buckled up and ready for the ride.

I would love to stay in contact with each and every one of you. Please always feel free to reach out to me personally. My new email will be andercolton@gmail.com

To finish off the greatest 2 year sermon of my life, I would like to leave with you my testimony of Jesus Christ.

I will never be able to adequately put into words how I feel about my missionary service in Arkansas. However, I will attempt to explain it the best I can!

Over the last 2 years, the Lord has molded me into the man I am supposed to be. He has helped me have a greater vision of myself and the world. He has given me the blessing of feeling even a portion of the love that He has for the people here in Arkansas. I know that He loves them and is very aware of their needs.

The most important souvenir I will be taking home (and I don't have very many) is my strengthened testimony of the living Christ. I now realize that I have always known that He lives. Since a young and tender age I have realized that my life was truly not my own, and that I have been bought with a price (1 cor. 6:19-20). Through the peaks and valleys of life I have also felt of the redeeming power of Christs atonement. I can say boldly with the apostle Paul that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Pilippians 4:13).

As we strive to live according to his commandments, we will find greater Joy and purpose in life than we could anywhere else. I invite each of you to deeply search and evaluate prayerfully your relationship with our Father in Heaven and His son, Jesus Christ. As you do, your spirit will be restored and your soul satisfied.

In the name of Him who I proudly represent, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sincerely,

Elder C.R. Anderson

Pictures

Monday, July 15, 2019

I will write a separate email with all of the details

Mt. Nebo
Tamales and tacos for lunch
Waterfall
Cars
Donuts

Memphis Temple!

Monday, July 8, 2019

Hello everyone,

Due to limited service on the highway and a lot of driving, I'm not able to send a large email this week! I won't be able to attach pictures either or else this email wouldn't send until a few days from now.

We were able to go to the temple this morning and do some work there. I love the temple and know it is the house of the Lord. The work performed there is special and sacred. I was able to feel the closeness of heaven today. I cannot wait to come home and continue regularly to attend the temple. It is one of the crowning jewels of my faith.

This last week was a lot of fun as we were able to have many lessons and see so many wonderful people. I have a testimony that the gospel and atonement of Jesus Christ really is "one size fits all."

I will be sending off my last weekly email next week! That sure is exciting. Also a small relief to me. I'm not sure if any of you have picked up on it, but writing these is not something I particularly love. HOWEVER, I love each of you so much and want to have meaningful communication with you. That makes it all worth it!

Until next time,

Elder C.R. Anderson

Elder Lopez touched his first cow

Monday, July 1, 2019

Hello!

This week was wonderful. Although I spent the majority of it outside of Dardanelle, I feel like we were still able to accomplish a lot and saw a lot of people. I love being a missionary.

One couple we are teaching is an older married couple that have run a cattle ranch most of their lives. They are true southerners. In that spirit, they are always so welcoming and warm when we come over. They really have shown me what southern hospitality is. This last time we went by we explained that Elder Lopez had never touched a cow and has wanted to for the longest time. Right after that she got really excited and told him to follow her. She grabbed a bottle and explained to him how to bottle feed a calf. Elder Lopez really enjoyed it and was laughing most of the time. I had fun taking pictures! It's not too often you can bottle feed a calf while wearing a suit.

Even more important this week I have been able to study and learn about the Holy Ghost and his role in our conversion and salvation. He is a teacher in every sense of the word. I have come to know in my last little bit as a missionary that without the spirit I can neither teach nor learn. However, when I live worthy of and seek his presence, I am able to be an instrument in bringing the gospel into the lives of many.

I am so excited to be a missionary. My mission is just getting started!

I love you all so much.

Elder C.R. Anderson

All over the place!

Monday, June 24, 2019

We spent this week in many different locations, including two different trips to Little Rock. I think I'm starting to get a feel for what my dad did for many years while he traveled for work. It is always good to come home!

Last Saturday evening there were many lightning storms and wind that seemed to shake our apartment! Around 6 am on Sunday morning we were awakened by the sounding of tornado sirens. We didn't want to have to go to a safe house or shelter only to return hours later to get ready then go to church. We chose to instead get our suits and hygiene items and head out for the church to get ready there! Upon arriving at the church we found that the power was off there, as well in most of the county. We got ready in the dark.

A few hours later when our Branch President arrived we opened all the windows and doors to get some air flowing through the building. We ended up having a sacrament meeting that lasted about 25 min. It was really fun and sweaty to be there with everyone in the dark. It shows that the real reason we meet together on Sunday is for that sacred ordinance of the sacrament.

This week we had the opportunity to teach many people how to pray. It was really special because a few of them really came to understand how powerful a tool prayer can be. What we claim prayer to be is a direct communication with the most powerful and all knowing being in the universe, even God. When this knowledge is correctly understood and applied it can enable us to receive heavens choicest blessings. God has promised that we can ask and receive, seek and find. On another occasion in holy scripture we learn that:

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5-6)

Our Heavenly Father has opened the windows of heaven and is willing to pour out blessings on those that express gratitude and ask with a humble heart. I have found that the points in my mission and my life that have been the most peaceful and been when I find myself in regular prayer. I can promise each of you more joy and peace in your life as you approach the throne of God in regular, sincere prayer.

Love you all so much! Enjoy the many pictures this week.

Elder C.R. Anderson

John 16:23-24
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Kira's son David (he is learning to walk)
Getting ready in the dark
City celebration of the flood receding (over 7,000 people attended whuchnis more than the city population of 4,500) with monkey and kangaroo