01-27-16 Facebook Post by: Autumn Long-McGhie

From Sister Long - McGhie: Had fun with our amazing Lake Marion Elders as they helped me clean out a barn today.

Season 5 Episode 1: "Bye Elder Knaphus:("

Hello everyone,

This week I hit 6 months out. I cannot believe it! Hahah it's weird. Time just continues to going by so fast. 

Monday: We found out transfers. I am staying here in Lakeville in the Lake Marion Ward. Elder Knaphus is going to Rochester to be a Zone Leader. I will miss him a lot. He is such a good Elder. 

Tuesday: We had a Zone Breakfast for our final goodbye. Our whole zone was pretty tight. It was really sad to see some of them leave. It's crazy how close you can get to someone in just a short period of time. Then we went to Buffalo Wild Wings and a few of us Elders did the "Blazing Hot Challenge" That was a mistake. You have to eat 12 wings in 6:00 minutes with the Ghost Pepper Sauce all over them. If you complete it, you get a Buffalo Wild Wings t shirt. That was my motivation. I mean how cool would that be to have that? But I did not get it, I ate 9. It was very hard hahah. Then we went and said goodbye to some of the our favorite members for Elder Knaphus. It was really sad. Some of the members here we love like they are family. And they love us like we are family! So it is difficult saying goodbye. Luckily I don't have to do that for at least 6 weeks.

Wednesday: We had the missionary broadcast. I really enjoyed it! I learned a lot from it and took some good notes. It talked about the Role of the Holy Ghost in conversion. It helped me understand more that we are not the teachers. The Holy Ghost is. We are just instruments. Then I said bye to Elder Knaphus :( My new companion is Elder Peterson. He is from Vernal Utah and has been out 4 months. So we are both pretty new to this whole missionary thing. But we are going to see miracles. We just have to work as hard as we can. He is a tennis player and loves Utah State so he reminds me a little bit of Tbeck ( Elder Beckstrom ). 

Thursday: We did service at Prince of peace. I always love doing that! I got to speak some Spanish to some people it was fun. Hahah! Then we cleaned up our apartment. Then had some lessons with some less actives, that was really good. Then we played frisbee at the church with our recent convert Taz it was really fun.  Then later that night I went to the Doctor because my skin. I have had Eczema for a few months now. I thought it would just go away. But it didn't so I finally went to the doctor got that taken care of. Don't worry Mom I am doing good. It is almost gone now.

Friday: We had a lesson with an investigator missionaries here haven't seen in a while. We got in to teach him. It was really good. It kindof funny, he has a bladder problem where randomly he will need to go to the bathroom so he will just stand up and start peeing in a bottle in the middle of a lesson. So that is interesting..  Then we stopped by a less active member and she made me mittens and a beanie with my favorite colors and my name on them and everything. It is so sweet! We have come really close. I really love her a lot. She is awesome.

Saturday: We had meetings in the morning. Then we had lunch at subway. Then we had volleyball, that was really fun. We had dinner with another one of my favorite families, the Holmbergs. He took us to Arby's. Then we had a lesson with Bro Stanich about being honest. He is 69 years old and has a lot of health issues. We try to visit him like twice a week. He is someone I really love a lot too.

Sunday: We had church which was good. I introduced my new companion to like everyone, that was good. But I barely know anyone in our ward so it is difficult. We are both new. But we will get this down. Then we had Brunch with the Richards they are like family. They are so cool! They make the best food too. Then we went to Mission Presidents fireside. That was really good. They have recent converts speak on there conversion story. It is something so good to get Investigators our to. We were not able to get any out.. :( But Bro Stanich drove us that was really good. I really enjoyed it! I got to see some of my MTC buddies. I love them! Man it was so good to see them.

I had an okay week. I was stressed a lot! But once we get in the swing of things we will be good. This first 6 months I have struggled a lot. But also grown so much! I am so grateful for trials in our lives. It is difficult to always think like that. But as we trust in our Savior and Heavenly Father and endure through those trials. We will grow so much and be able to see more happiness. I am so grateful to be serving a mission at this time. My testimony is strengthening so much. Keep strengthening your testimony by just doing the little things. Praying every day, reading from the Book of Mormon, going to church each Sunday. I promise you as you do these things with real intent. You will see more blessings in your life than you can imagine. "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass" 

THE ZONE

ME AND ELDER PETERSON

Love, Elder Anderson

Season 4 Episode 5: "Church, Nah, it's too Cold"

Hello Family and Friends,

Another week is down. Wow it's crazy! I hit my 6 month mark this week! I am burning a tie this week hahah! But we had another crazy busy week. 

Monday: We had Zone P day. We played minute to win it games! It was so much fun. I really like the Lakeville zone.  Then we at dinner at the cupkies, they love missionaries and will buy us absolutely anything. So all we have to do is just ask! Haha. Then we taught the Restoration to our recent convert named Taz. That went well, we only got through the first few principles. The Preist quorum advisor asked us to give a training on " Joint Teaching with the Missionaries" So Monday night we planned some of it, the training was on Wednesday.

Tuesday: We had Prince of Peace service. I always love that. It was just really cold outside. Then I went on exchanges with Elder Freestone one of the Zone Leaders. It was my first time taking over the area here in Lakeville. So you bet I was nervous! But it actually went really well. We taught 3 Nephi 18 to two less active members. It talks about the importance of the Sacrament and how it blesses us. I really liked it! I think I am becoming a much better teacher. Which is good! We had a dinner with the Ward Mission Leader, he served his mission in Sweden. So obviously I told him the story of Viktor. He loves Stockholm and just went there so he was talking about it. It was really sweet.

Wednesday: We had District Meeting and that went really good. Then we went to Buffalo Wild Wings as a District. Man is that place good! Then one of the sisters, Sister Jolley lost a bet so we went back to the church and she had to shove her face in a cake. It was super funny haha! Then we did some more planning for the training we were giving to the Priests. Then we gave the training, we did a role play teaching an " Investigator" and we taught the restoration in front of all of them. It was a little bit scary but it went really well actually. Then we ran over to a members home because they made us scarfs. :)

Thursday: We had service at Prince of Peace. It was really good :) Then we had lunch with a less active member.  She really opened up to us! She has been offended in the past by members so it is hard for her to come back to church. But just being her friend and listening to her and truly loving her is what is going to touch her heart. So that's Kind Of what we are doing with her. Then we had Ultimate Frisbee at the church with Taz and a bunch of other people. That was really really fun! Then later that night we had Bible Study. That is good. Sometimes it's just a little bit boring.

Friday: Weekly planning day! Then we had a few teaching appointments, but they didn't happen.. Then we went to Smash Burger with a less active family. They are like my favorite! They love us so much, it is so cool. Then the Sisters called us and asked us if we would be able to help them with moving one of there less active members that they are working with. So we helped with that! Then we went over to another less active members home. Got to know them a little bit better. 

Saturday: We had coordination with our Ward Mission Leader. Then we went to the Church to play basketball. But Scouts was going on until 12:00. So we ate lunch and hung out with the Watkins for a little bit. Then we played some basketball when they left! Then at 2:00 we set up volleyball and played that for two hours. Then we had a handoff lesson from the Zone Leaders because he moved into our area. But something we found out during the lesson is he is going to Jail on Tuesday for 3 months, So I will probably never teach him, because I will probably be gone. But we are going to work with his wife and kids. We are going to make them dinner, because they are struggling financially. Then we went to the church to see if our investigator Trevor was going to show up to soccer. But he never did, so we left.

Sunday: We got a text on Saturday that we are going to have Sacrament Meeting and that it's because it is too cold for families to get out. But for real it was sooo cold. You can feel your nose hairs freeze and it's like the coolest feeling. Then we visited some families and shared some messages with them. We had a dinner with the Davis family. That was really good! Then we visited our investigator Mike and delivered some food. We were talking outside and my eyelids froze shut for like 5 seconds, it was the weirdest thing ever. Hahah. But man it is getting so cold. Luckily I have the stuff to stay warm. Saturday we got a text that we cannot be on bikes and we can't go Tracting. It was too cold! That is insane.

But I am still doing good. Me and Elder Knaphus are getting really close. I really do love him a lot and am learning so much from him each day! Today for p day we are going to be playing a game called 3 step and Wiffle ball. So I am absolutely pumped! :) I hit my 6 month mark this week and I will be burning a tie. I will send a video for next weeks email. :) Love you all! Thanks for the emails each week.

Season 4 Episode 4 "-10"

Hello everyone. It's been another good week this week. It has been crazy cold though. It got down to the negatives this week and man it is not too fun. But I will be fine! I have a good coat and boots :)

Monday: We had district P day and we watched " The RM " Man it was so funny. Then we got haircuts and played some volleyball for a few hours. Everyone loves volleyball here! Then we went to Buffalo Wild Wings that night and I got the Jack Daddy Burger. So perfect wow.

Tuesday: We did some service at Prince of Peace. Then we went to a less active members home and made some Crepes for the Sister Missionaries in our ward. We owed them for some reason that I can't remember right now. But that was fun! I am a much better cook than I was when I left hahah. Then we went to the Richards next door neighbors home who are members but less active and cleaned her basement because they have to sell their house by a certain time. 

Wednesday: We cleaned up the apartment. Me and Elder Knaphus are pretty good about keeping it clean. But we just wanted to clean it extra good. Then we had lunch with a member. She made us some good soup with corn bread. Then we went to the Holmbergs and helped them clean out their car. Then we visited a guy named Chuck. He is a Stroke Survivor. He has been through so much but is still going forward. It's quite an inspirational story. Then we ate dinner with the Fitzpatrick's, and immediately after that we went to the Church and played some basketball. We had a good turn out! Lots of non members come, so it is such a good opportunity to meet and introduce ourselves to them.

Thursday: We had service at Prince of peace and man was that busy. But it was really good! Then I went on exchanges with Elder Hodgson from Bountiful UT. He is a Spanish Elder, we went in his area which was fun. I spoke a little Spanish, I was proud of myself hahaha. But we did not see too much success. We stopped by a ton of people and did a bit of Tracting but like no one answered the door. But the good thing about that night, we went to Smash Burger. 

Friday:  We had Zone Interviews with President Forbes. That was good! We also got a training on family history and using that in our work. It really interested me. I would encourage all of you to find some names and take them to the temple. I have a much better view on family history. It is not just for old people, it is for everyone!! Haha! 

Saturday: It was super cold, DANG!!! We had coordination with Bishop Connor and our ward mission leader. Then we played some basketball at the church, then cleaned a old ladies apartment because she can't walk. It really reminded me of my great grandmas house she lived in, it was actually really crazy. Then we went back to the church and played some volleyball with the ward. Two less actives that we wanted to come out, came. I was so happy! They are like my favorite people. Then we went to the Sisters apartment and I gave sister Jolley a blessing. She got really sick! She actually had to go to the hospital and everything. I feel really bad for them. Sister Kirkman got her wisdom teeth out too, so for them they have just been not feeling good. Then we had dinner with a family I can't remember there name haha. Then we went back to the church and planned some stuff out for a little bit. Then played soccer with the Spanish Branch. We invited some people to come out that like soccer but they did not show up.. So that sucked, but the soccer was fun. :)

Sunday: We had church. Wow was it good!! Elders quorum was one of my favorite lessons I have been to on my mission. It was the first chapter out of the Howard W. Hunter book. I felt the spirit so strong. Then we had brunch and the Richards and not much other happened the rest of the day. Just visited a few people. 

 One of my favorite quotes from this week was “If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong.” I can testify that is true. I just think that is so powerful. Nothing can go permanently wrong if we center our lives on Jesus Christ and his teachings. I am so grateful to be out here on my mission. I am learning so much! I have met some of my favorite people here. That a truly love. I am thankful to be teaching this wonderful gospel. I hope you all had a wonderful week. Happy Birthday (yesterday) Brenden. Don't wreck my car ;) I love you man! Enjoy being 16! I love you all! Talk to you next week

Love,

Elder Anderson 

These pictures were posted on facebook by Sister. Cupkie. This is Elder Knapsus and Elder Anderson were eating dinner with Sister. Cupkies' family after their p-day activities.

Fun P-Day activities with his District:

Season 4 Episode 4 "Sports, Sports, Sports" (Lake Marion, MN)

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was good! Crazy busy though. I felt like we were always doing something, which is good just tiring!!

Tuesday: We woke up at 6:00 to go shovel some driveways. Cause wow it snowed here! Like 4-5 feet of snow. It was nuts!! Everyone in the entire mission got grounded from there cars because there was so much snow on the roads. Then we went with a recent convert named Taz to workout at a place called lifetime fitness. It was fun we went in the Sauna and played some basketball. Then I went on exchanges with the Spanish elder. Elder Richins. It was super fun! He is so cool! I really like him a lot and learned a lot from him. We had dinner with a family and the rule was we could only speak Spanish so that was fun. I could actually say a few things and understand quite a bit, all thanks to Coach Kunzler.  Then we had a lesson with some guy I can't remember his name. But it was taught in Spanish obviously. I did not say anything, but I did for sure feel the spirit it was so cool.

Wednesday: We had district meeting. It was really good! We got a training on receiving revelation. I got a lot out of it. Then since we were out of miles, we were on out bikes for a few hours. It was so hard biking in 2 feet of snow. I fell like 3 times hahah, it was very frustrating. Then we had dinner with the Stallings family. They are super cool! There son just returned from Brazil on his mission and it was fun talking to him about his experiences. Then we played basketball at the church. Lots of non members came this week so it was really good to see that.

Thursday: We did some service at Prince of Peace for a few hours, that is always fun. Then we saw a few members, and shared some messages with them. Then we went to the Holmbergs and had dinner with them. They had the college football playoff on, so that was difficult hahah.

Friday: We had P day, which was really fun. We played Basketball, Soccer, Frisbee, Wiffle Ball, and Volleyball. Wow that was so much fun! I was really tired after it though. But so worth it. :) Then we had dinner with the Briggs family. They were cool! Then we went to the Richards family's home. One of my favorites in the ward. They are so cool!

Saturday: We had Basketball at 10:00- 12:00 and that was fun. Then from 12:00 - 2:00 we did some planning. Then from 2:00 - 4:00 we played volleyball. Playing all these sports are so fun. It is such a good way to get less actives, investigators and just anyone out. Our ward is very good at fellow shipping people. Much better than the ward in Thunder Bay.

Sunday: We had church which was really good. None of our investigators were there though, so that was a bummer.. Then ate at the Richards home again. They love us so they feed us a lot haha! Then we got a call from a member who had to go to the ER and he needed food. So we called a different member to ask if they could give us some food to take to him and they said yes. So we took that to him in Burnsville. Which is like 25 minutes away. So we got back to our apartment at 11:00 so that was rough. But we got permission. So don't worry we are being obedient :)

One of the messages I shared with members this week, was out of an article in the October 2014 Ensign called " The Jaedite Cabbage " I cannot remember if I already told you guys about it. But I really love it! I encourage all of you to go read it. Thanks for everything again. The weeks are just flying by, it is crazy. I love you all! Have the best week!!

Love,

Elder Anderson