Happy Unbirthday to Sister Olsen!

We played a prank this week, and it seems super lame to anyone in the outside world, but here in the MTC it was like the most fun thing we could have ever done... Here it is: to set the scene, Sister Olsen got a package this week from her family that had a happy birthday sticker on the side... we thought it was hilarious, because we were convinced that her mother had forgotten when she had birthed her second daughter. #awk. But we went along with it! We decided to tell everyone in the district that the next day was actually Sister Olsen's birthday, she just hadn't wanted anyone to know... and everyone believed it!! Seriously, everyone was convinced that Sister Olsen had just kept a really good secret, and that she was actually turning 20 on March 25. The Elders decorated the room, and bought her birthday candy, and gave her special treatment... and it was the greatest day of our lives because we got to eat so much. I've decided to celebrate every March 25, just for the heck of it. #pranksters #perfectmatch #happyunbirthday.

This week we've been meeting with a girl named Devan! She is not a member, but works on campus at the TRC. She has so many legit questions, and it's been awesome meeting with her! She is the cutest thing ever, always so excited about life. She told us the story of how her mother passed away a few years ago, and Sister Olsen told her this amazing story about angels, and how they are always around us, guiding us, cheering us on, and rooting for us- it brought Devan to tears as she thought about her mother. Sister Olsen is such a powerful missionary, and always follows the spirit so well! Love her. That was such an amazing experience. Devan has started meeting with the missionaries outside of the MTC. :) Also, our teacher Brother Thrap has been having a hard time in school and such, and felt like he needed a bit of uplifting, so he asked Sister Olsen and I to meet with him and help him gain better perspective... We were freaking out because it was so on the fly, but it turned out to be an amazing lesson. I had read Matthew 14: 27-32 the night before, and I felt like it would be a good story to share with Brother Thrap... that is the story of when Peter walks on water, but sinks when he takes his eyes off the Savior. However, when he starts sinking he calls out, "Lord, Save me!" and he is grabbed by the hand and pulled back onto the water. As soon as I shared the story, Brother Thrap was looking at me in amazement...  he said this: "I have a picture of this story hanging in my room, with the caption that says, 'Lord, save me!' and I look at it every day." Haha so that was cool.... we had an amazing meeting with him, and it helped us all for sure. He thanked me later for helping him to remember to call out to the Lord when we feel we are sinking, and not only that, but to never take our eyes off the Lord, so that we will not ever sink. That is a lesson that all of us need to remember: Always keep your eyes on the Lord. Don't let yourself get distracted by the raging winds around you, don't let yourself become afraid. Keep your eyes on the Lord, have faith that He will help you walk on water, no matter what winds are blowing around you.

Also, this shirt has a goat on it. A goat.... his head is literally in the clouds. I inherited it from a Sister in the Cambodian zone. I'm expected to pass it down, but how can I?? It's a goat! (That's why I have a sad face in my photo... leave the goat!?!) It is now a normal thing for everyone to yell at me to summon my goat powers, and I respond with my (now famous) goat noise.

This week was a good one, despite it's weirdness. On Tuesday we had a devotional that was so beyond wonderful, it was probably the best one we've ever had (Sorry Elder Cook...). I wish I could remember the name of the man who spoke... I think my memory is depleting since being here at the MTC. And also my vocabulary, so I don't even know if "depleting" is the correct word. I blame Thai. ANYWAY, he talked about 10 "steps" (I'll call them steps) to being the best missionary I can be. I won't talk about all ten, but I wish I could! What it all came down to was this: Remember who you are, and why you are here. I am here to a be a representative of Jesus Christ, and when I can get that into my noggin, I will have a much easier time loving others, sharing my testimony, and becoming a better missionary. I wish MTC devotionals were posted, because I would tell you all to go look it up. It was just so inspiring, and every second of it made me want to be better and do better. 

Also this week I became obsessed with the Mormon Message "Mountains to Climb." Every time I watch it, I sob. (Not even kidding, I prepare myself with a box of tissues every time.) It shows the lives of different people who have been given "mountains to climb," but how when each of them turns to the Lord, they are able to overcome their difficulty. Mountains are hard to climb (right, dad?!), but the view from the top is so worth it! So I've heard. Each and every one of us are given "mountains" to climb, and trials to overcome. But, as we read in 1 Corinthians 10:13, there will always be a way to escape. I love that scripture because, even though it is referring to temptation, it reminds me that there is always a way for me to overcome any trial that I have, no matter the magnitude of it, no matter the height of the mountain; I have a Savior who has already made it to the top of that mountain, and is always willing to throw down a rope for me to grab onto, so He can pull me up. There's no reason for anyone to ever give up trying to climb that mountain. It reminds me of Ether 6, how they are continually blown by harsh winds that destroy them, but they are always being blown towards the promised land because they turn to the Lord. That is the lesson I learned this week. 

This week I have learned so much! Everything here at the MTC is a learning experience, and even after being here for 6 weeks I feel like I haven't learned half of what can be learned here. But every second of every day, I feel my Savior's love. I love this gospel more than anything in the world. I love that because of it and through it, we can have the most wonderful lives ever, and because of Jesus Christ we can become the people who we want to become. There is nothing in this world that is better than serving the Lord, and sharing the gospel with all of his children! Getting a tiny taste of the outside world when we went to Rite Aide made me sooooo proud to be wearing Christ's name over my heart, and made me realize how important it is that I represent Him as best I can. 

Sister Olsen and I are meeting with a real investigator (as in not our teacher, and possibly not a member of the church- we are never sure, but we are about 75% confident he's not a member) here on campus tonight. We are nervous, but we can't wait. We are also skyping with people in Thailand tonight, and sharing a message with them. In Thai. Gloy Gloy. (Thai word for bananas bananas... equivalent to "piece of cake." Please commence using this word.) I love being a missionary, and I love sharing this gospel that I hold so dear to my heart. I love you all so much, and I appreciate all the support, as always! 

I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Everyone! Sawadii khaa!

You all are my favorite people, I just want you to know that to start. Also I'd like to announce that this computer is entirely in Spanish so I am very proud of myself for finding my way to this point. *Pat on the back.*

This week was so weird. It was great! But super weird. I'll start at the beginning. I can read in Thai! It takes me like 2 hours to read a verse from the Book of Mormon... but I can do it. Holla. These 5 weeks have finally started to pay off (just kidding, it's paid off since the beginning of course.) I'm collecting scriptures to learn in Thai, feel free to add to the list! 

On Tuesday, Elder Quentin L Cook came to speak to us at the fireside. It was so good! I love being in the same room as an apostle. Anyway, he spoke to us about how our calls are NOT random, but that each and every missionary is called of God to their assigned mission, through a prophet. It was amazing. That night we have a mini devotional with all the sisters in our zone with Sister Weaver (my favorite branch presidency wife, don't tell the others,) and we all just bore testimony of the Savior. Can you just imagine the spirit that was in that room!? It was such an inspiring and amazing moment, I love the sisters in my zone. Also, yesterday we heard from a recent convert in our devotional. And by recent, I mean like 3 weeks ago recent. She only speaks Korean, and she was coming here to the MTC as a volunteer in the TRC (where we teach in our language every Saturday) and that's how she met the missionaries! So missionaries HERE at the MTC learning Korean got to teach her and attend her baptism! I was a wee bit jealous, but I repented of my envy. It just made me SO ready to go to Thailand! I just want to get out there at preach it, baby! But I am also grateful to be here still. I'm still learning so darn much it's crazy.

 

This week was probably one of the hardest at the MTC. Humbling, challenging, and just plain hard. But I have learned so much! That is what is amazing about life; everything is a challenge but you come out stronger because of it. I have studied so much about faith this week, and my favorite chapters about faith are Hebrews 11, Ether 12, and 1 Nephi 17. Literally everything in the world is possible if we have God on our side- if we pray in faith. And sometimes it isn't what we want to happen- that's the funny thing about faith: Everything is possible, but we have to be willing to accept that through our faith, God's Will will be done, and not necessarily our own. 

I love my calling. I love it. As a missionary, every day is like Christmas. We get to share joy, God's love, and the greatest and most priceless gift in the world! I love it. This is the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth. Through Him, we can accomplish all things, we can overcome all things, we can be perfected in all things. He is the Savior of the world, the Redeemer of our souls. 

I love you all! Thank you for everything you continually do for me! Miss you all, have a great week!

 

This is Sister Anderson's second email of the day...the better email!

Okay, so I went back and re-read my e-mail that I just sent, and I'm actually embarrassed haha That was so bad. I didn't even write what I learned! SO I have begged for 5 more minutes (not really) so that I can redeem myself.

I told dad this, but I want everyone to look up the Bible video "take up thy bed and walk." It was such a great reminder of putting the past behind you and walking forward in faith in Christ. It is amazing. 

Also for devotional yesterday, we had a speaker who made the devo into a giant zone conference, and used my branch as the guinea pigs. Random sisters and Elders were called up on stage and put on the spot to answer these doctrinal questions, and it was super intimidating. 

We went to the Temple yesterday to walk around, and this morning again. I love this temple, even though it looks like a space ship.

I have memorized my missionary purpose and the invitation to be baptized, in Thai, and I'm pretty proud of myself for how Asian I sound. We are working on tones for sure. 

I have become obsessed with Mark 10: 29-30, because it reminds me of how when I sacrifice things for the Lord, I am blessed tenfold more. Amazing.

My testimony increases every day that I am here. I know that my Heavenly Father is watching over me here, and I love my Savior more and more every day, as I understand more and more what He did for me, and how He suffered for me. This place truly is amazing with the spirit that we feel each day. Even though we goof off a lot, we are truly learning and growing so much, especially me, as a I learn what I need to improve and change to become better, as a missionary and as a disciple of Christ.

Sawadii, khruapkhrua khaa!! Hello Family!!!

 Hello!! It's me, Sister Anderson! that's so weird. But yeah, I've basically been here for a million years already. And it's only been like 5 days or something. It's weird how 24 hours can turn into a thousand million when you are cram packed with so much to do. It's been a crazy week though! Good news though, I am no longer sick! I was taken good care of and quickly returned to health. It's hard to describe what this week has been like, because it's been the hardest, most grueling, challenging, longest week of my life to-date. But it's also been miraculous and fun and a blessing for sure. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

My companion is proof that Heavenly Father loves me... Sister Olsen is the greatest sister missionary ever. She is sweet, and spunky and hilarious and we make quite the team. We are basically the same. I love the junk out of her. 

I have spoken very little English since being here. You think I am kidding. But if we can't say it in Thai, we aren't supposed to say it. As you can imagine, my words have been extremely limited. But don't worry, I've found other ways to be the center of attention... ;) (okay, working on my humility... Christ is the center of our attention, I promise...) Also, we've already taught an "investigator" in Thai 3 times. Not even kidding, he doesn't speak a lick of English and we get to teach him the gospel. Mostly we have just read words off of our paper and nodded... when we asked if we could pray (or tried to ask...) he had no idea what we were saying so we just slowly knelt down and awkwardly stared at him and started to mutter a prayer... all the while he is standing and staring out a window. We are working on it...  

Also my teacher Brother Thrap is hilarious... I think. I wouldn't know, he only speaks in Thai. But I'm his fave for sure (humility........it's a struggle). He is gone in the mornings so he asked me to lead the classes... This is my leadership opportunity I was promised, glad I'm getting it over with soon. ;) hahaha. It's hard because I can only pray and bear testimony in Thai so far... and only kind of. So class is a lot of Thai-glish hahaha. But my district is so much fun! We are so tight already, we are practically best friends and pretty much inseparable. My zone includes most of South Asia. Actually, most Asian speaking missions except Taiwan and a few others. There are like 60 of us though. Cambodians, Cantonese, Korean... So yeah, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Korea hahaha that might actually be it. But still, a lot. 

We have all pretty much had break downs at this point, because it's so go go go! all the time. Actually, I've had to be the strong one in my companionship because I'm *cough cough* Senior companion. HAhahaha only because my last name starts with A. Senior comp is the person who comes first in the alphabet... hahaha I'm so humble, have I mentioned that? But my companion is actually having a really hard time, so prayers be with her. And I promise the only tears I've shed are some of joy! 

Have I mentioned the amount of classtime? A lot of class time. 12-16 hours. 5555. (5 in Thai is "ha") I get through it by drinking chocolate milk. I think the cows have been baptized and that's  why the chocolate milk tastes so good. I drink buckets of it. 

OH! Also I got the JE shot! They hearded us into a room that smelled like nasty sneeze and stabbed me with the most PAINFUL needle I've ever had injected. ow. BUT I WATCHED IT! I rewarded myself with chocolate milk. 

Okay a ton has happened this week and an hour is not enough time to write it all!!! AHHHHH oh my goodness. I have to go. But I am always inspired here, I always feel the spirit, and my testimony has grown so much already. This is the true church for sure, I know my Savior lives and Heavenly Father knows and loves each and every one of us! Everything about the gospel is amazing. 

I love you all so very much!! I BETTER GET E-MAILS NEXT WEEK FAMILY. 

maag rag! lol. Much love!

Sister Anderson