Back from Thailand... but not really home.

I’ve always heard that every mission is different; every missionary is different, is in a different place, has different trials and growing experiences, learns something different, so on and so forth. With all the warnings I received, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the mission I served was so… well… different.

But the most different thing about my mission is that it ended after only 3 months.

I used to be one of those people that never fully understood why a missionary would come home early from their mission, and I’ll admit, I was probably judgmental of them. However, now it’s me. I am in the shoes of the returned-early-missionary. And not a single piece of me wants to be home. I want to be in Thailand, where I was called to serve! It only took me a very short time to realize that I love Thailand; I love the culture, I love the people, I love the country, and I loved my calling as a missionary! I will be honest and say that being a missionary is a hard job. It’s not all fun and games, sight-seeing and lounging around. You don’t go on a mission to travel and have fun. You go on a mission to serve the Lord, to work, and to preach the gospel (and have fun while doing it!) It’s a full-time, go-go-go job, and it is absolutely amazing. The more you work, the better you feel! Usually. Unfortunately for me, the harder I worked, the worse I got… So now I’m here. And my heart is still in Thailand. I wish I could adequately explain how much it hurts to be here.

When a missionary comes home, it’s such a joyous event! Friends and family come and visit, congratulations are given, parties thrown, proud parents begging to hear more stories of the mission, all kinds of typical celebratory measures. But of course, that’s to be expected!

When your missionary serves the full 18-24 months that they were assigned to serve. 
 
When a missionary comes home early, the reactions tend to be a little different, and I wish it wasn’t that way. Fortunately for me, I still have proud parents; but sometimes that isn’t always the case. No one can ever understand what it’s like to come home 3 months into the mission. No one can ever understand the pain, the heart ache, and the longing that comes along with returning early. And because no one understands, no one knows how to react. Did they do something wrong? Are they just giving up? Could they just not handle the hard work? Are they not worthy? Questions flood the minds of everyone that sees a missionary back before they’re expected. Sometimes the questions exit the mind and are voiced to the missionary… that shouldn’t happen. The missionary is having a hard enough time as it is. I’m just now learning this myself, and never again will I judge or question a missionary who has returned early; I don’t know their struggle. But I certainly know my own.

So here’s some advice to anyone dealing with a missionary who has returned early beyond their control- whether you’re the missionary, the family, or a friend. Let’s just clear up the awkwardness, throw out the self-blame, take courage, and keep moving forward.

1. The Mission Call: “You will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living the mission rules, and following the counsel of your Mission President. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you…”
* You served
* You dedicated yourself to the mission
* You were a worthy missionary
* The Lord will bless you
The Mission call states that as you dedicate yourself to service, become a diligent missionary, and forget about yourself and the things at home, the Lord will bless you. That’s a promise, straight from God. Do you think God will break His promise if you did your best? As a missionary, I tried to do my best every single day. Sometimes that wasn’t much. But it was all I had. God knew that. He knew it was my best, and He knew that I was holding up my end of the bargain by living the mission rules, keeping the commandments, following my mission president, and devoting my time to the Lord. There is no reason to feel guilty for coming home early if it’s out of your control and you did your best while you served.

2. Missions are Forever: “All that getting released means is that you are taking the tag off your shirt and writing it on your heart, and that will never go away if you do everything you can to serve him” –Morgan Hunsaker. (I didn’t ask for permission to quote him, so I hope he doesn’t hate me for it.)
* The tag comes off the shirt; but it’s imprinted on your heart
* Missionary callings don’t go away; you’re just released from being full-time
* YOU CAN STILL SERVE
It’s not the same, I know, but missions are forever! Whether it was a 3 month service, or a full 24 month service, the mission doesn’t end when you come home. As Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “RM doesn’t mean retired Mormon!” Keep on being a missionary! Study the scriptures, pray, share the gospel, continually build your testimony, and SERVE God forever.

3. You have potential: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
* God has so much in store for us that we know nothing about
* HE HAS A PLAN
* He knows our potential
It sometimes seems like everything was pointless; nothing was gained, nothing changed, why did I even leave if I was just going to come back? There are so many questions. This is one thing that needs to always be remembered: GOD HAS A PLAN. We do not know God’s plan. We don’t even know our own potential. But God DOES! Everything has a purpose, and everything will build us up into the people we are meant to be, if we are following God and doing His will. We just need to trust Him! Sometimes it seems like there was no point in leaving for 3 months, because God knew I wouldn’t be on a mission for the full 18 months. So why did I go? I may never know the full effects of my mission. I may never know why I was called to Thailand. However, I know there was a reason for it. Now I know there is a reason for me to be home! God didn’t call me on a mission (or back home), just to break me down and leave me at my lowest point. He is going to build me up and help me reach my full potential, if I continually rely on Him.


Coming home from a mission early is probably the hardest thing in the entire world. It takes more courage than you would think. If I had my choice, I would still be in Thailand, serving with everything that I have. However, I am home because that is the path that is meant for me. I trust my Heavenly Father, I know that He has so much in store for me, and if coming home early is how I’m going to become who He wants me to become, then fine. I’ll do everything I can while I am home to continue to serve Him. I will love and live His gospel with all my heart and soul. I will serve His children with all my might. I will do His will, every day of my life. I am devastated to not be in Thailand right now; but God’s children everywhere need to be served- and apparently I am meant to be serving from home right now.

HUMBLED TO THE KNEE....

Literally....

The story goes something like this: I was biking to a Wat (that's the problem, right? I was being punished...) and I decided that I would be cool and skid on my bike, and instead of being cool, I was super uncool and flew like clear over my bike and landed straight on my knee and it looked like a unicorn horn. fact. I could not stop laughing though, I was in so much pain I couldn't even come to grips with it, so I just laughed away all the pain...... and was taken to a hospital. Apparently, the two bones in my legs (the big one and the littler one? I'm not a doctor?...) Got smashed together somehow, making the fluid between them under the kneecap get pushed forward into the front of my knee, and my kneecap was super out of place. My knee was legitimately smashed. Hahahah so yeah, my life isn't real, and I have to stay off my leg foreverrrrrr basically and it's such a hassle because I just want to WORK and I can't because I'm stuck inside on pain meds. Thankfully no surgery is necessary.  But I am going to Bangkok on Wednesday to see a doctor. Again. Lol I can't even handle life right now. but look at that smile. ;) (I think I'll leave out the part about the pinched nerve that left me paralyzed all morning on Saturday? Sounds like a good plan. Don't worry mom, I'm fine I swear.)

On a happier note, Sister Burbank and I have been working our butts off (when we can get members to give us rides...) and we have seen miracles! The goal for the Thailand Bangkok mission is 4 baptisms  per companionship in the month of May. That will be about 340 baptisms in May. So far Sis B and I have 8 scheduled for this month and that is all because of ALMA 26:12!!!! We are weak, but God is strong, and will perform miracles when we exert enough faith! We have had nothing but faith to rely on this week, so we have become such firm believers in miracles! However, we also know that faith without works is dead, so even though we have built our faith up tremendously, we also work crazy hard every single day. Millions of phone calls, millions of people invited, millions of lessons... all of our daters have some sort of problem that they are dealing with, so they have missed their previous dates and baptisms (heart breaking, really), and we are trying to figure out how to help them with the Lords help. All things are possible through Him, even when you have a smashed knee. I know it. Miracles are happening here in Thailand, and Satan is fighting them. But he will not win, because 1. Thailand missionaries are strong, 2. Thai people are strong, and 3. God is STRONGEST. If we have faith in Him and ACT in that faith, MIRACLES WILL HAPPEN. I can not emphasize that enough, I swear. 

This week was a tough one, I'm not going to lie. It was long, it was hard, it was dreary and dragged on forever. There was so much work to be done, and yet I can't speak the language in, and I can't get anywhere in order to do it. but if it wasn't hard, we wouldn't learn, we wouldn't grow, we wouldn't build our faith, and we wouldn't see as many miracles as we have seen. So I'm grateful for the trials and adversity. Because that is how I will grow. (That sounds like such a missionary sentence. Yep, living the life!)

 

Okay, I love you all! Thank you for the prayers and the support, I honestly feel all the love every single day. You all rock, have a great week!

Sister Anderson

 

 

 

I volunteered to go into the arena, and this happened

There's a cast and knee pain under those capris, don't let them fool you. ​But look how cute the elephant is! Ours did not have a fancy basket thing to ride in, we rode them bareback like bosses.

 

HELLO PHUKHON SUAY

FAMILY!

That subject line can either mean "hello beautiful people", or "hello terrible people," depending on the tone. Take your pick ;) (It's probably not correct anyway, let's be real, I don't speak Thai.)

 

So many miracles happened this week, I don't know where to begin. The baptisms that we had scheduled for last week did not happen, unfortunately. The dates don't always keep. But we have 3 scheduled for this week, Nim, Gong, and Tong, so keep praying for them! Nim is especially solid; she and her mother are meeting with us, and her son is meeting with the Elders, and now she wants us to teach her husband! It's a pretty awesome family :) We have definitely seen the power of prayer work in our lives this week as well! We don't always know what to do, where to go, what to say, or how to do our jobs, but when we pray, things always work out how they are supposed to! Also I have seen how the enabling power of the Atonement can honestly help us overcome anything. The Atonement isn't just for overcoming sins, but also working through weaknesses and making them strengths. That is for sure.  We had 12 investigators this week, and a total of 18 investigator lessons taught with a member present, 13 other lessons, 7 recent convert/less active member lessons, and 4 new investigators for next week. We started last Thursday with 0 off all of those things. So if that isn't evidence that prayer, hard work, faith, and reliance of Jesus Christ brings miracles, I don't know what is! We are trying to double our numbers for next week. 

In case you were all wondering, I have made friends here. Yes, Sister Anderson has friends. Weird, I know. Especially since I don't speak...ever... but their names are Rose and Kat, and they are the most perfect girls ever. I just want to squeeze them. That's the picture I send home last week... they are 13 and 14. Rose is an investigator, I told you about her last week. But I brought them up today because I am so grateful for them! They show me that you don't always have to speak the language to get a message across. It's refreshing, especially this week!

 

Okay, love you all soo much!!!! Thanks for all the love and support! You all are the best!

 

 

 

COCKROACH SLAYER

Oh Good morning friends :)

I think the subject title says a lot about my week! So if that doesn't get you excited for this e-mail, I don 't know what will! 

A week ago today,  at 3:35 in the morning, I boarded a train that would change my life forever.... haha okay as dramatic as that sounds, it's definitely the truest statement I've ever made in my life. Since that point, I've been on a plane for a total of 22 hours, been on another train for 12 hours, melted a million times, eaten fermented fish paste, and killed cockroaches. All things that I never thought I would do in a thousand years. 

 

I am currently in a little town called Sisaket, with my AMAZING COMPANION SISTER BURBANK. I can't even explain to you all the love I have for this area. I LOVE SISAKET! It's adorable, the people are so kind and humble and smiley, and the food is unbelievable. Also, there are water buffalo everywhere. Doesn't get much better than that. :) Except it DOES!! Because the Branch here is so good!! Ahhh the members are so awesome. They make fun of me all the time, and it's the greatest thing ever because I have no clue what they are saying! :D When the members here are strong, they are STRONG! I mean that. We have had so many referrals from members already, and we always have at least 5 members willing to go to investigator lessons with us- and they all come! Which is good, because I have no idea how to speak Thai, but they do. So that's helpful! But the most helpful thing is the amazing testimony of each and every member. They are such pioneers, and they have such strong testimonies! Ahhhh I get chills thinking about them. :) So you could say I love Sisaket :) As for Sister Burbank! We are so very similar! We get along so well! She is the best trainer ever, even though she sometimes throws me in with the sharks and asks me to explain the plan of salvation on the fly to an investigator... Literally the hardest lesson for me to teach. (I did something cool though... I stole an object lesson idea from my MTC teacher, and compared the gospel to a pen... basically he couldn't follow my hand unless he was grasping the pen with me. Hard to explain in writing, but I felt like a total boss.) Don't worry, that investigator is getting baptized on Sunday. :) And so is his mother! I have to tell you the story of these two. Brother Ef was a referral from a member, and we had tried to call him throughout the week and had no success. We called again on Saturday night, with no success. Then on Sunday morning he called us, 5 minutes before church, to apologize for missing our calls. We invited him to come to church in 5 minutes, and HE CAME and brought his grandma and a friend! So later than night we went to teach him, and he committed to baptism (probably because he was impressed by my pen analogy ;) ...just kidding, it was all the Spirit!) After his lesson, his mom came out and sat in the spot where Ef was sitting and said "okay. Teach me." We taught her, and committed her to baptism as well! I was able to extend the invitation to the both of them, and it was the greatest feeling in the world when they accepted!! AHHH so there are 2 of the 4 baptisms we have on Sunday :) 

I have gained a HUGE testimony that this gospel is truly a gospel of miracles, God is a God of miracles! I know that as I work hard, and dedicate myself to this work, I will truly see so many miracles. And that's what I'm here for! I am here to bring others unto Christ, and to see many miracles done by the hand of God. And I have already seen so many in the past few days. Even though this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and I can't understand a SINGLE word that is ever said, I have been so happy... even in the saddest moments. It's hard to describe. But it's hard not to be happy when you're literally serving other people all the time, and serving the Lord 24/7. I have been so humbled by all my weaknesses and inadequacies, but I know that I am being qualified, because there is NO WAY I could do all this on my own. I love the strength I get from my Savior every day. It's an amazing thing.

UMMMM CAN WE SAY TEMPLE

I think since coming to the MTC I have grown 5 extra, overly-active tear ducts in each eye. I swear. With that image in your head, please just try to picture the obnoxious scene that I made over the Temple announcement! Seriously though, it went something like this: "AHH *squeals and screams* *Leaps on Sister Olsen* *Bursts into loud, heaving sobs* I LOVE THAILAND AND I LOVE HEAVENLY FATHER!" Haha.... I wish this was an exaggeration. Poor missionaries trying to listen to the Prophet... they couldn't hear him over me. It's okay, I don't think I was the only one. Anyway, how amazing is that though! I am overjoyed for Thailand right now. God is truly mindful of all of His children, and His work is truly spreading across the whole globe. It's amazing to see these miracles, and recognize how much God's hand is truly in the lives of all of us. Those Thai people will be SO blessed- seriously THOUSANDS of people- and I can't even control my emotions over it! Plus, I get to go there and help people prepare to attend the temple that will now be in their beautiful city! Ahhhhh I love this gospel. :) 

And can we just talk about how amazing conference was!? I went in with a prayer and 13 questions that I wanted answers to, and I left conference with 13 answers and a completely full heart and increased testimony! I can't even choose a favorite talk... but if I had to, it might be Elder Andersen's, because he talked about Thailand ;) haha. Actually, I really loved Uchtdorf's talk on Grace. Grace unlocks the gates of Heaven! We need to enter into the gates of Heaven, and we do that with a change of heart. We need to be converted to the gospel, and allow His grace to work more fully in our lives and help us become our best selves! I also loved Gerald Causse's talk, and not just because he has a French accent that you all know I'm obsessed with... But I LOVE how he reminded us all that we always need to MARVEL at the WONDERS of the GOSPEL. I put all those words in capital letters, because sometimes we take advantage of the little blessings and miracles that we see every day... but we need to truly find them MARVELous! And recognize that every little blessing is WONDERful! Every night I have been recording 50 blessings that I've noticed throughout the day, and it has helped me really recognize the Lord's hand in my life, and makes me want to marvel more at each little thing. That is one thing that I will change because of conference: Marvel at each little wonder, anchor my faith in the plain and simple truths, and cherish the Holy Ghost in my life. I invite each of you to pick at least 5 things from conference that you are going to apply and change in your life (it's only 5! I should make the number higher...) It should be easy peasy with all of the wonderful counsel we received!

 

Oh, on Friday we got our travel plans. No big deal or anything but I'm FLYING TO THAILAND NEXT MONDAY! 3:35am we report to the travel office... then we fly to Minnesota (how random is that?) and then straight from Minnesota to Thailand! I will be in Thailand by next Wednesday :) Oh and guess who the travel leader is? The one that has to be in charge of making sure 15 rowdy missionaries behave themselves and make it through security and onto the planes? Me. Yep.

Well family, I hope you all had an amazing Easter! I hope you remember the Savior in your lives everyday. Remember that He lives! And because He lives, we will all live again, we can all overcome physical and spiritual death, because He has conquered both. He pleads with the Father in our behalf, so that we can be forgiven and keep trying everyday. Never forget to apply the amazing Atonement in your life everyday. I know that Christ is my Savior, the head of this wonderful gospel, and the only way that we will be truly happy and return to live with Him and our Father after this life.

 

 

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!