WELL HELLO THERE!
It’s been just another week here in Lima, can’t say much is different. I’m approaching my last days here in the CCM. I can’t say it’s really flown by, but it’s been good, great and wonderful. I have loved my time here. I have learned so much and had good times. In many ways I feel like I will be leaving home again. But I am so excited! Well, excited and scared! But really, I’m ready to get this thing started! Forget that I don’t know Spanish!
That’s actually one of the things that has been really frustrating for me. I don’t feel like my Spanish has improved much at all! I’m getting really good at conjugating present tense verbs. Lots of what we learned I knew already so it’s been kinda slow. But that’s just great! I was actually asked to “tutor” one of the elders in the district who is really struggling. I know that’ll be me in about a week though. It’s about to get real though, real quick. Please pray for my trainer. She’s gonna need all the help and patience she can get! I’ll let ya’ll know how it all goes in about two weeks. Stay tuned-
I’ll probably be leaving here early Tuesday morning and getting to work that same day!
Alright, time for the weekly report.
Wednesday – P-day. Mehh. Nothing special to report
Thursday – Hermana Scarlett and I were laughing so hard she literally peed her pants, or skirt I guess. Sooo funny. Don’t tell her I told you.
Friday – ONE MONTH. WOAH. Being away from home for 2 years, I didn’t think 18 months would be so hard! It’s crazy the things you miss! I never would have guessed.
But seriously, you’d think I was pregnant or something with all the cravings I have. The food is delicious here. Don’t get me wrong. It’s supposed to be the best in South America, but there isn’t too much variety. I describe Peru as: the people are brown and the food is white. But really. Rice. Potatoes. Chicken. Rolls. Always. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to be able to eat so many different ethnic foods. But oh well. Some of my cravings from this week include: cinnamon rolls, Swedish fish, Almond Joys, sandwiches, peanut butter, salad, Pad Thai, big burritos, DONUTS
If you ever find yourself at a Peruvian restaurant, Pollo saltado or Aji de gallina. SOOO GOOD! My favorites so far.
Saturday – Had a great lesson with a new investigator. Committed her to be baptized! Watched some killer Mormon Messages. Go watch ‘em.
Sunday – SUNDAYS are THE BEST! Great testimony meeting. Watched two taped devotionals. The second was from when Elder Holland was at the Provo MTC a couple of months ago. The same time as Sister Huffaker! So fun. I kept looking for her :( Nada. Can’t tell you how many times Elder Holland has changed my life!
Monday – Just another day at the CCM!
Tuesday – Live broadcast from Provo! President Nelson! It was so great! Never really realized how lucky we are to have the opportunity to hear from the Lord’s apostles! And to have seen them before!? That’s like unheard of here.
A collection of my favorite quotes from the week:
“This isn’t just an 18 month mission, this is a lifelong mission!” – Elder Christofferson
“I measure my life in missionary moments!” – Elder Holland
I encourage all of you to search for your own missionary opportunities. I can promise great blessings and miracles if you do so!
“Obedience is the first law of everything.” – Elder Holland
“Perfect obedience brings blessings.” – President Nelson
“Almost obedience brings almost blessings” - don’t remember
Good thing I was always perfectly obedient!
“The most destructive thing Satan can do is to bind your tongue. Don’t let him! Open your mouth! – Elder Holland
Think of Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove. Satan tried to bind his tongue, imagine what could have happened.
“You are God’s investigators!” – Elder Holland
“We are ALL capable if we RELY on the Lord.” – President Nelson
AND SO MANY MORE
Today we went to Papa Juans.
America never tasted so good. The bus driver kept saying “Ella es Miss California, No?” Sorry buddy. Yo soy de Michigan!
I am so grateful for this time at the CCM. The Spirit is always so strong. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve my Savior here in Peru. I am so grateful for this gospel and the constant reminder that this is ETERNAL WORK! And because I love you all, I just want to share my testimony with you briefly. What a month this has been. And how hard it has been. I have struggled. I have felt alone and confused and lost, but with every struggle I am lifted far above what I was. I have struggled a lot with being away from home, leaving everything behind and feeling inadequate for the task and wondering if I will ever be able to give enough. I have worried if I have changed enough, have enough power to continue, but what I have realized is that the Savior knows my struggles. He knows how hard this has been and how hard it will continue to be. But although he knows and loves me, he is not going to remove this struggle from me. But rather because he loves me he has given me this struggle as an opportunity, an opportunity to learn of my Saviors sacrifice for me, an opportunity to learn more about his gospel and who he wants me to be. And an opportunity to become more like him.
And for that I am so grateful. I know that he is aware of my pains, my worries and my struggles and he will make me worthy of the task and he will build me up far beyond what I could ever imagine. I know my Savior knows me and loves me. He has felt my pain far beyond what I can comprehend. His enabling power is real. His hand is indefinitely stretched out to us. As I am humbled and have faith it will all be okay. I cannot express my great love for my Savior and his Atonement. And no matter how hard 18 months are, I know that I am not alone.
My testimony over the past month of the scriptures of the Book of Mormon has been so strengthened. Never before have I had such an unwavering desire to read the scriptures. I know they are inspired and such a testament of God’s love for us. As we read and study them we can know His will. I have such great love for the scriptures and know that if we fervently search them we can know all things that we should do.
I know without a doubt in my heart that this gospel is the true and everlasting gospel restored on this earth. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, he lived and translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God. I know that God continues to reveal His teachings to living prophets on the earth today. I know that our Savior lives and because he loves us he came to this earth to suffer and die for us that through him, we may live again. I know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and has a perfect plan for us individually and eternally. I am so grateful for this gospel and all the peace and joy it brings to my life. I am so grateful for my family and the knowledge that I can be with them forever.
I love you all!
Thank you for your support and prayers. I’d love to hear from you!
Much love,
Hermana Anderson
And shout out to my home girl SARAH the soon to be Mrs. Mikesell! So excited for them both!
