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