Cari amici. Do you know what is always a depressing thought? Those "last" moments. The last bite of a carmel apple. The last sip of your 7/11 hot chocolate. Your last year in highschool. Your last goodbyes to loved ones. And yes, your last week as  a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

It feels as if it were just yesterday that I said goodbye to my family and I followed a missionary  who just arrived to the MTC only a couple weeks before I did. I never have laughed so hard in my life as when I was in the MTC. The numerous apostles that came and spoke was just incredible as well. It didn't take long until I found myself in Italy. Where I quickly learned to love the cobble stone streets I walked and listened to Italian farmers scream "UN EURO!!!" as they sold fruit from their little stands. The graffiti never seemed to go away, but I learned to enjoy it just as much as I enjoyed the historic art, ruins, and many other ruins, sometimes dating back 2,000 years before Christ. Don't even get me started on the incredible pasta, pizza, and dolci or getting to see the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, the Colosseum, and many other breathtaking views! While I have grown to love all these things, I don't think it will ever compare to the love I have for the people that live in this beautiful counrty. 

As a missionary you have an incredible opportunity to forget yourself in the service of God. As you do so, you begin to grow a love for the people you are serving that is beyond any other feeling you have ever felt. You truley understand what it means when they say "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God". I will be forever grateful to My Heavenly Father for giving me this opportunity to experience this. You see, a mission doesn't take two years of your life, but instead, gives you a lifetime worth of experiences. You give your life over to God and He takes it and does some pretty incredible things with it. 

I know that God lives, that He sent His son to die for us. I know that through Christ we can one day live with our families and our Father in Heaven. I know Joseph Smith was called to restore the church in these latter days. I know that through Russel M. Nelson, Christ leads and guides this church today. I invite all, to come and listen to the message of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Thank you for all of your support and love, I couldn't have done it with out you all! See you soon.

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

I'm sorry.... The wait has been a little bit too long. But hey, at least it wasn't as long as the great apostasy, am I right?

Wow, a lot has happened. Where should I start?  About 2 weeks ago we met  James. We had a stellar discussion with him, talking about how the Book of Mormon and Bible support each other and go hand in hand. The spirit was incredibly strong. We've many great lessons with him and he has steadily been making his ways towards the waters of baptism. It was on Saturday that he made the huge leap to accept and set a date for his baptism.  

On Friday we threw on our suits and headed to Napoli for my last Zone Conference. Man was that a weird experience....actually not so much.....it hasn't really resonated that I will no longer have any more Zone Conferences. It was a good one though, as always the spirit was present and we all learned how we can further this amazing work here in Italy.  

Sunday we celebrated my companions birthday! He is a whopping 19! I hope he had fun, I sure did. This nice sorella in the branch brought him some sweets and we all sang happy birthday to him. I also sang it to him at like 6:30 in the morning, but I don't think it had the same effect on him as the one from the branch. He is an awesome missionary and I am blessed to serve with him. 

Oh not to mention, IT FEALS LIKE FALL!!! Mamma mia, now we can walk around town and not feal like we just got out of a pool, while still wearing missionary attire. We pray that the weather, and James, continue on this incredible path. One towards winter, the other towards baptism. 

"Well it's that time of the year again....GENERAL CONFERENCE! Yes, it is still a big thing for missionaries and hopefully all of you. It is a time of reflection, a time in which we can receive revelation for our lives and answers to our questions, and most of all we get to listen to the voices of  living day prophets and apostles. What a blessing it is to live in these days. I encourage all of you to look back on the last general conference and prepare spiritually for the one coming up. I know as we do so we will be more sensitive to the spirit and we will know what we need to do to draw closer to Him."

 

Have a great week everyone! Love you all! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

The smell of salt water, a slight ocean breeze, and the beautiful view of the Amalfi coast. 

That's what we where able to experience as we ate a Napolitano pizza on the deck of a gentleman's apartment right on the coast in Salerno. As we talked about his beliefs, I couldn't help but reflect on how much I love this country and the people here. 

These past couple of weeks have been full of the normal missionary experiences. With homeless people screaming in Russian, multiple Moped accidents, along with the daily miracles of being in the right place at the right time. This week I've had the oppurtunity to do a scambio with another greenie in Castellemare. His name was also Anziano Anderson, the only difference was the "o". Now, it is important that you know Anziano Anderson is a very big, both in length and muscle. He may not seem like a strong kid at first, but trust me, he has got some power behind him! I realized this as he was completing in the "Pellone's challenge", which is to eat 3 Margherita pizza's. Now for those who have not had the divine oppurtunity to eat a Pellone pizza or even see one, let me tell ya, they are big juicy pizza's. The crazy thing about it is, is he ate them in 15 minutes! It was a sight to see. Anyway, as we introduced ourselves on the streets it was quite humorous to watch the look on people's faces as they thought we were somehow related. It was a fun  day.

Well, recently I have been studying the topic of grace, and have enjoyed it quite a bit. We learn in Titus and plenty of other scriptures that it is through the Christ's grace that we are saved. It is that literal power that helps us work towards erernal salvation, which is our end goal. As talked about in Hebrews 12 it helps us continue to serve God, and in other words His children. I am thankful for His grace and the oppurtunity I have to experience it, obtain it, and use it when the time is right. 

Anyways thanks for all your love and support! Hope everyone has a good week! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

It was at this time last year.....

Anziano Blanchard and I

 

I was listening to car horns honk every 3 seconds as sweat dripped down my face and I guarantee that I was eating what is known as the best pizza in the world. Now, you might ask, "Why are you writing about what you where doing last year"? It is because, with sweat dripping from my face and the sound of car horns in the background, I'm again eating the best pizza in the world! Yes, I am back in the bella zone of Napoli!

Monday night I got the call that I would be heading down to Battipaglia with a Anziano Blanchard, a great new missionary fresh out of America. Battipaglia is right below Napoli. It's good to be back in what is, according to many missionaries, the best zone in the mission. I am very excited to see the work we can do here in Battipaglia. It is a smaller branch with about 15-20 people. Anziano Blanchard and I are going to be working hard to make that number grow. 

Well I wanted to switch it up on my spiritual thought this week. I want to start out with the invite. Some time this week find time to read the account of the first vision. I would then ask you to ponder it and ask God if Joseph Smith really did See God the Father and Jesus Christ. I want to let you guys know, that I know Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, and that they actually did speak to him. I know he was called to be a prophet to restore Christs original church. I hope everyone has a chance to do that this week. It will bless you as you do so. Thank you for all the love and support! Have a great week everyone! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Soaring high heats, tourists from Germany, oh yea, and a baptism.... That about sums up the week. Every once in a while missionaries, because of the heat, will dream about swimming and going to the beach. Especially here in Sardegna, because it is known around the world for having beautiful beaches, but luckily for me it hasn't crossed my mind once. I think I sweat so much it just feels like I am swimming! 

The work here in Cagliari has just exploded. Anziano Findlay and I have seen miracles fall from the heavens. We have been very fortunate to talk to people who want to listen to our message! Even a couple families if you can believe it. The biggest miracle of all, however, was when Sandro was baptized! Man was it a good baptism! He had the biggest smile on his face the whole time. It was great to see, and hopefully more coming. 

Well ladies and gentlemen that’s a wrap for me.  I’ll leave you guys with a scripture that is one of my favorites. 

Moroni 7:47

"But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him."

If you continue reading the chapter Moroni encourages us to pray for Charity. In the scriptures it is expressed that charity is one of the most important things we have. So, if you haven't lately, pray for it and be willing to work for it. I LOVE you guys. Thank you for all the support you give me, trust me it does not go unnoticed! Have a great week everyone!

Anziano Andersen 🚀

Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Imagine this….hot dogs, hamburgers, an ‘Italianized’ grill, the colors red, white, and blue decorationing the space and a couple of awesome Italians trying to figure out how to toss the old pig skin (also known as a football) with the American anthem playing in the background. That was our 4th of July. It was a blast! We organized a 4th of July party for our English Course. Then when the ward heard about it, they wanted to join in, so we had a big party for our 4th of July. They all absolutley loved it! Even though we didn't end the day watching the fireworks, it felt just like the 4th. 

So last week we had transfers and I found out that I was staying and I would receive a new companion. Anziano Christensen made his way to Napoli and Anziano Findlay took his place. Then last Friday we girded our loins for zone conference. It was really good, President talked about Preach My Gospel and the importance of it, then we talked about examining ourselves and seeing what we can do to better ourselves as missionaries. It was really good. 

For pday we made our way up to a place called Barumini. Now at first glance you might say "Looks like some more ruins from 2,000 years ago, what's so special?". Well, these ruins are dated back to about 2,000 to 1,500 years BEFORE Christ. Yea, thats a long time. That would be around the time that Abraham was walking around. 

Well, I ran across a cool quote this week in my studies. Dilbert L. Stapley said "No man is free who is not master of himself.". Self mastery is ability to tell yourself "no" when needs be and "yes" when the time is correct.  Self mastery is truly the path to freedom and overcoming the natural man.

Well, hope you guys have a good week!

Anziano Andersen 🚀

Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Snow. It's truly a beautiful thing.... Well, actually weather that isn't over 100 degrees is beautiful. Now, I do not want to sound like I am complaining, because there’s no place I’d rather be or do, but for just a minute imagine your self standing on the sun, then put on a tie. 

The rock (that's what the missionaries call Sardegna) is doing great. Despite the incredible heat, the past two weeks, and a transfer actually, have just flown by. We have been doing a lot of finding because the work is a little slow, but it should pick up pretty soon. We have some potentials who we are hoping to baptize next transfer. We'll see what happens and if it's in the Lord’s plans. Sometimes you forget that your ways are not always His ways. 

Sunday couldn't have started out better with such beautiful weather; blue skies, light breeze, birds chirping, the whole package. Well after a great sacrament meeting we headed home to eat and do our studies. The time for us to get back out on the streets rolls around and within just moments we notice, at first what  seems like a big giant wall of death coming towards us. Guys, I am not kidding, these where some of the darkest clouds I have ever seen! They were about as dark as the black crayola crayon. I kid you not. Well within 10 minutes of being on the streets we find our selves sprinting full tail back to the car. The rain was coming down about as fast and thick as it does from your shower head. It was incredible! We ended up going and seeing a member after that, because it would have been easier to convert a kangaroo than find some one on the streets. 

So as of late I have been studying a lot about self-mastery. What an incredible topic…Well I came across this quote and really liked it. Ralph Waldo Emerson said this “That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed, but that our power to do is increased.” Oh how have I noticed that on my mission; talking to people on the streets or doing long hours of finding doesn't ever really become easy, but the fact that our desire to serve our Father in Heaven grows and that's why we continue to obey Him. I hope everyone has a good couple of weeks!! Love you guys. 

Anziano Andersen 🚀

Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Sardegna

Sardegna?

My old district in Taranto.

You know that feeling where you just barely get something new then someone takes it away from you? Haha yea, well that's kind of what it felt like when I did only one transfer in Taranto. Yep, I got transfered to the island of Sardegna to a city called Cagliari. So far so good haha, its only been a couple days, but so far I am enjoying it! 

Eddy's Baptism (Taranto)

We are working hard and looking ahead to see who the Lord has prepared for us to teach and share this amazing gospel with. We have some good potentials, we just have to get the ball rolling with them. Leaving Taranto was a little hard. Even though I was only there for one transfer we had a good time with the members and we had some really good work going on and I know my old comp will keep them going. I am excited to work here in Cagliari and have high hopes for it! 

Have you guys ever wondered why life is so hard at times? Well I haven't ;) but just in case you guys have, I would like to share this quote with you by Elder Ballard.

It says,

"We are sent here to be tested. There must be opposition in all things. We are meant to learn and grow through that opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same. … The Lord will not only consecrate our afflictions for our gain, but He will use them to bless the lives of countless others."

Remember, life will not always just be sunshine and rainbows. You have to have the rainy days to even see a rainbow and to appreciate the sunshine. Well hope you guys have a good week! Love you all! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

A transfer has come and gone here in Taranto, time has gone by so fast. Too fast!

Tonight we receive our transfer calls. The trio is probably not staying together, but you never know. It was fun while it lasted. Saturday our investigator was baptized and Sunday he was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was definetly prepared by the Lord for the Gospel. Then on Sunday we had the skype call! I was able to talk to my family! It was good. It feels like I haven't talked to them since Christmas 😉

My spritual thought is simple, but profound this week. The message is that families can be together forever. It is one of the most important things to our Heavenly Father, so it just makes sense that it is all apart of the plan. I challenge you guys to find ways to serve your family. It will make not only them happy but you also, and your love for them will increase! Love you guys! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Talk about a week!

There has been quite a lot of interesting stuff that has happened. Lets start from the top. Thursday we had a lesson with one of our investigators. We went over the restoration again with him and made sure he understood everything. Not only did he understand everything but he actually agreed with it all. Haha can you believe it? All thanks to the spirit. We asked him to pray about it and ask God, for himself, if it was true. Then, if he receives an answer, we invited him to be baptized. He agreed willingly. 

Also our good man Eddy passed his baptismal interview and will prepare to be baptized on Saturday. Working with Eddy has been such a  blessing here in Taranto. His willingness and desire to follow the Lord has been cool to watch. He also has a big desire to share the gospel with others, which leads me to my next story. Saturday night we get a call from him and he says that he has a friend who needs the gospel. So Sunday evening we meet with his friend and immediately realized how much she really did. We shared a really good message about Jesus Christ, the spirit was really strong. her desire to follow Him is there.It's amazing to see people want to change their path and follow Him. 

As missionaries have the oppurtunity to really work close with the Holy Ghost. In fact, we rely completely on him if we don't know what to say or teach. He does all of the heavy lifting for us if we live worthy of his help and presence. 

John 14:26 says it perfectly:

 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

 We should all strive to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, not just as missionaries. We can all use him in our daily lives to have him guide us and help us through this journey of life. I hope you all have the desire to have Him in your daily activities like we should!

 Love you guys! Hope you all have a good week!

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Fun week, Eddy and Mexican food!

I have great news this week! I don't even know where to start! So the first week I arrived in Taranto we met a guy named Eddy. We have been teaching him the past couple weeks and it's gone really well. He is so humble and willing to learn and pray about the things we teach him. He is so receptive to the spirit. We invited him to be baptized and he has accepted! So we will be working with him to get ready for baptism. He is so awesome and I have loved teaching him! 

Another fun thing that happened to us this week actually started  about two weeks ago. We were doing some finding and ran into a man from South America. He told us he was here for some carnival or something like that. We enjoyed our conversation with him, but didn't really think much more about it after we parted ways. Wednesday we were finding in the park again and there was a big South American food festival. Turns out that these guys travel all over the world and do this. Anyway, he saw us and told us come and get free food, so thats what we did! It was pretty good! We were really grateful.

This week I was listening to the song "He Sent His Son" and throughout the song it asks things like "What does the Father ask of us?" And "How could the Father show the world, the pathway we should go?" and after every question it says "He sent his son...". Jesus Christ came here and became the ultimate example of how we should live. We should all be striving to be like His Son. Thats how we can know Him. Then we can look to Him in everything. 

Thank you for all the love and support! You guys are great! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Summer....

Hello everyone! I hope you're all well and enjoying thence weather. We are here in Italy, but Summer is just around the corner. Let me tell you guys, it literally gets so hot here. Think of a boiling desert with 1000000% humidity. Its pretty hot, but the work of the Lord will not cease. This week was quite interesting. On a quiet Thursday night we were walking out of the church when all of a sudden we see this car zooming past our church at about 40 mph. Now I know what your thinking right now, "what's the big deal?" Well, the big deal is that our church is on the corner of a dead end street. So with my own eyes I watched a car zoom past us and run right into the cement road block. It was a darn good thing my mom made me get my eagle scout, because I was prepared and I had my first aid merit badge. So we ran over to see how they were doing and luckily, I didn't have to use any of my skills, because they were all fine. Anyway, that was definetly the craziest thing that happened this week. 

This week I read in 2 Nephi 27:23 

"For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

God is a God of miracles and that will never change! Today is a day of miracles and the fact that we have the restored church on the earth today is an incredible miracle. How cool! Love you guys! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

First week in Taranto

After a week here in Taranto I am loving it! It is a lot like my first city, Brindisi, but on a bigger scale. We have our own church building, which isn't very common here in the south, so that is pretty nice. This week we had zone conference. Just when you think the mission couldn't change any more; it does! This zone conference they gave every companionship smart phones. Now this could seem pointless to some seeing how we have tablets. But over here in Italy the Italians (and practically all of Europe) use an app called "whatsapp" which allows people to text and call. The normal texting and calling here is a little expensive so that's why everyone uses the app. It will make getting numbers and staying in contact with investigators so much easier. 

Our topic in zone conference was by far one of my favorites. We talked about faith. Faith is the foundation of it all, it is so important. That's why it is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ! We literally use it for every thing... the priesthood, miracles, and yes, the Atonement of Christ. Faith is pretty important!I was nice to be reminded of that and to focus more on strengthening my personal faith.

Well this week is a little bit more simple, but good non-the-less. I hope all of you guys have a good week. 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Taranto?

Well after transfer calls Monday night I found myself packing my bags getting ready to leave Palermo. 

Palermo

It was hard to leave, not just because it was a beautiful city and the ward was fantastic, but I had to say goodbye to Adriano. Saying goodbye never gets easy.... all I can say is its a good thing we have facebook in this day and age.

Kelvin and me

They ended up sending me to Taranto. The cool thing about this is I am about 45 minutes from my birth city. When I was there I came up to Taranto twice for baptisms, so I already knew some members. 

Because the branch in Brindisi was so small a member from Taranto was branch president. So on Sunday not only did I see the old branch president but, Kelvin came to church! He was my first baptism. It was so cool to see him again, he is such an awesome kid.

I am excited to see what we can do here. Although it was hard to leave Palermo I know that I am were I am supposed to be. 

Where going to go and try and find those who are ready for the gospel. D&C 29:7 states "And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;". So thats what were gonna do here. Go get those who will listen to us and welcome them back home to a loving Heavenly Father. 

Thanks for all you guys do! Love you all!

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Well another transfer has come and gone and this week we have our transfer calls once again. Atanasio and I came in at the same time and we have been here for 3 transfers, so one of us is gone for sure. I have really enjoyed Palermo and the work here, so I would love to stay. I guess we'll see what happens. Adriano is doing great, it's so cool to see how happy he is.

Of course all of us missionaries were just absolutely stoked for General Conference. We may not be able to watch the Olympics here but we sure can watch General Conference. Practically the same, right? 

Speaking of which one of my favorite talks was President Russell M. Nelson's talk at the end of Sunday Morning session. He talked about the importance of the Holy Ghost and receiving personal revelation. Even the disciples in 3 Nephi talk about the importance of having the Holy Ghost, "And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them." (3 Nephi 19:9). The constant companion of the Holy Ghost will allow us to receive personal revelation. Personal revelation allows us to sift through the junk of the world, helping us to know what we need to do to stay on the straight and narrow path.

Anziano Andersen 🚀

Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

A baptism......

I am happy to say, that even after the water randomly shutting off and then only having about a foot and a half of water in the font, Adriano was baptized! The whole conversion experience was, once again, incredible to watch. Anziano Atanasio and I both came into this area at the same time and have been together for three transfers, which isn't the most common. So we were both able to see the whole process of his conversion, from beginning to baptism. Those are the moments that make the mission an incredible experience. 

Besides the baptism, we were also able to meet a really cool kid at the english course and gave him a Book of Mormon. He has been reading and seems really interested. Hopefully well see that go somewhere. 

Well Christs church has been restored on the earth and his work is moving forward. What a blessing it is to be apart of it! 

P-Day

Love you all! 
Anziano Andersen 🚀

Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Well a lot has transpired over this past week. We've had some really awesome and some not so awesome experiences, it's made for an interesting week, thats for sure! The coolest thing is Adriano, our investigator,  is successfully moving towards his baptism this Saturday. When Anziano Atanasio and I first met Adriano we found him showing the Christmas video, and it has been so cool to watch how much he has changed. He is such a stud! The not so cool thing is that one day as we headed to the church to teach a lesson and our english course, we were pick pocketed we think. Somewhere between the 7 minute tram ride from our house to the church, our phone went missing. We literally have no clue what happened. We are like 90% sure we were pick pocketed. Whoever did it though was good....but the success with Adriano far outweighs the loss of our phone. 

The work here in Palermo is going really good and we are able to stay really busy. We both love to stay busy, so it makes for good times! We have set a goal to get another baptism. We have some other investigators who are ready to make the necessary changes in their lives and seem pretty promising.  Which is going to require us to extend a baptismal date, so keep us in your prayers! 

As a missionary we run into a lot of people who have different beliefs. Sadly, some believe that God has forgoten us or that we aren't as important anymore. Nephi said something that I love. He said "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith." (2 Nephi 27:23).  God is still there and He still loves us. Today is still a day of miracles, sometimes you just have to open your eyes to see them. I hope all of you feel the love of your Heavenly Father and see the miracles of the gospel today. Love you guys! Have a good week! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

It's Been A Long time Coming.....

Well its been a busy couple of weeks here in Palermo.

We have a simp (investigator) who is preparing for baptism in two weeks. He is such a stud! We have been working with him like crazy lately. We met him one of our first weeks here in Palermo. Hopefully everything goes as planned. We have been staying super busy with all of our investigators. We still find time to do a solid amount of finding, which is good. The ward here is awesome and I love them so much. They are so willing to help us out. I have really been able to  learn here how to work with the members, which has been a huge help. 

Besides that all is good and fun. I am still alive here in Italy and still preaching the Gospel! For I am not ashamed of the gospel! (Romans 1:15-16)

Much love guys! ✌

Anziano Andersen 🚀

Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Well it was a good couple of weeks here in Palermo!

To fill you in, we had transfers last week. Anziano Atanasio and I are doing a third together here in Palermo. Just wait.... to add the icing on top of the cake, Anziano Smith, an old friend from Napoli, was transfered to Palermo. So it will be fun! All of us are excited to work hard as well, which is such a blessing. I have continued to grow to love the city and the people here. Ecpescially our investigators. Some are moving forward a little bit faster then others, but when you watch one's desire to follow Christ grow, nothing really compares. Hopefully they continue on this path! For P day we wanted to go play basketball, but unfortunatly we got rained out. It has been like this for the past 2 weeks, so finding has been difficult, but what can you do but keep working. 

In Proverbs 3: 5-6 it says "5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths". Its important to remember that the Lord is always there, willing to guide us on this path of life. Don't forget to ask for his direction. You will not be disappointed. Much love everyone! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Rain....It sure does put DAMPer on missionary work. Yep, it rained all week. Despite it, we went out and tried to find people. Now let me tell you why, here in Italy we do street contacting. Alot. Like that is what we do all day. Why? Because it works! House to house and door knocking doesn't work as well here. However, street contacting is even less effective in the rain, so we resorted to door knocking.  Luckily, we were able to meet with some old investigators we found last transfer who have kind of lost interest. Hopefully we can get stuff going with them. It was great to meet with them again! Then for pday we played zone calcio. And you know, even though we get to see things like the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Polignano Amare, etc etc, some of the best p days are when you get to play some soccer. 

The other day it hit me how fast my mission is going. Although, I still have a lot of time left, it feels like just yesterday I was at the mtc, or even at home still going to school, hanging out with friends. Time moves quick, and if were not careful we'll miss many percious moments. 

Elder Joseph B. Worthlin said "All too soon, our time is finished. While we can—while we have the time to complete our work—let us walk in the right direction, taking one step after another." 

While we are still here it is so important that we use our time wisely, because before you know it, it will all be gone. Well, I hope you all have a great week! Much love! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

This week was a good one!

We've had line up of zone conference and a returned missionary's homecoming has kept us pretty busy. Zone conference was a great. President talked a lot about the restoration of the church. Thanks to Joseph Smith we now have the restored church of Jesus Christ once again on this earth. For those who are not members of our church you might ask, "Well how in the world do you know?!" The answer is quite simple. The Book of Mormon, Another testament of Jesus Christ, just like the bible. All of it leans on that book, if the book is true then Joseph Smith really is a Prophet of God, but if its not, then he isn't. My testimony to you all is that the book is true! Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. If any of you would like to know for yourselves, read the Book of Mormon. I promise the blessing that you see from this book will be amazing! 

 I guess well get the bad news out of the way....yes, I know the Patriots lost. The good thing though is that the church is still true. Our simp who had a baptismal date is going to need a little bit more time to prepare. He is a great guy and we are excited to keep working with him. Saturday night a member, who is a cook, fed us probably one of my favorite pasta I have had while I have been here. It was spaghetti with muscles and olive oil. Seasoned just perfectly. I kind of imagine this will be among one of the foods that is eaten in Heaven. 

Well it's busy today, so i Have to run. Thank you all for your love and support! Have a good week everyone!

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Palermo. Is. Cool. Thats all I have to say ladies and gents!

A Festivale for a Saint.

I am absolutley loving this city... A couple cool things happened this week. First, we were able to meet the family of our most promising investigator who has a baptismal date. They were way cool and could be interested in the gospel as well. We should have a appointment set up for this upcoming week. Second, Bagheria (a city in my district) had a baptism this last Saturday! We were all pretty excited. He was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Sunday morning. It was a really incredible experience. Seeing someone make the commitment to be a disciple of Christ never gets old. He is a cool kid and will do some pretty cool things. 

We also went to bishop Pulvirenti's for lunch today. They are honestly one of the funnest families I know. They remind me a ton of my family. They have a 6 year old boy who is a carbon copy of Raife. Its awesome! 

I have been able to study a the life and attributes of Christ this week. The more we are able to study His life and His actions, the more capable we will be to become like Him. Christ's invite to His apostles "follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19) is extended to all of us. I encourage you to look for ways that you can follow Him and become more like Him. 

Love you guys! Hope you guys have a great week!

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍