Week of Service...

Servizio.....That's what we did.

I don't think I have ever done more service on the mission than this past week. It's amazing how awesome the week has been, service makes a huge difference in our lives! We were able to go out to the country and move some lumber from the side of a mountain. It had a gorgeous view. It made me realize how much I love the mountains. Although it's very mountainous, it's still very warm. Like 'sweater weather' type of warm, which makes for a weird Christmas, but still a good one! I mean I can't complain.....I spent my Christmas in Sicily!

 Sunday we were able to go out and have a pranzo with Salvo who is a member in our ward. Haha he is hilarious. He knows some English words so every once in a while he'll throw them into his Italian, it's awesome. We have some investigators that are doing good. We found a really cool guy, we showed him the Christmas initiative video and he really liked it. Today we headed to some catacombs. These catacombs had the remains outside of there coffins. There were a ton of skeletons, it was pretty cool. Sorry no pics, they were not allowed...

Seeing how we did so much service this week I think it would be appropriate to talk about service. A cool scripture I really like in Matthew 10:39 says 

"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." 

That's why Christmas time is so happy. We often are serving others, they decide to forget about themselves and see what else they can do for others. So my invite, for the week leading up to Christmas, is to lose yourselves in the service of others! Love you guys! Have a good week! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Old Faces...

Old Faces.....

The week of zone conference. It's always a good one, you get a free lunch, see friends and grow spiritually. I was able to actually see some old comps, like Anziani Jackson and Fryer. Both of whom I really enjoyed and wished I could have done more than just one transfer. Thursday rolled around and I realized I hadn't eaten a pizza in a week and started hyper ventilating. It's kind of sad, none of the pizza I will ever eat again will be the same as Napoli pizza. However, Sicily is known for their deserts, like Conolo! Man that is some good stuff. The work is going along great, hopefully we'll find some success this transfer. We met a really cool guy last Sunday showing the Christmas video the church has put out and he ended up coming to church and is doing really good. Here in Palermo we have a pretty cool ward. Yep, a ward! First one I've been in, and the members are really down for missionary work, so I'm excited about that. For P-day we went on a super fun hike and ended up seeing some sheep. So that's that. 

During zone conference this week we talked a lot about the fall and 

Adam and Eve. A lot of people who are not of our faith think it was a bad thing, something that has cursed all mankind, but in reality it was all apart of God's plan. 

In 2 Nephi 2:22-24 it says:
      "22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.
23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things."

It is because of the fall that all of us are here. It's because of the fall that we feel happiness in this life. Pretty cool huh? Anyways hope everyone has a good week! Much love! 🤙 ‎

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Sicily, the land of cannoli, brioscia, arancina and hopefully a couple baptisms.

Yep, I have now made my way to the island of Sicily! I didn't really think that it could get better than Napoli, but some how I lucked out. I'm in the city of Palermo. Saying goodbye to the members, investigators, pizza and the city of Napoli was hard, I'll never get used to leaving a city or the people I meet, but I am stoked to see what Sicily has in hand this transfer. I have a great companion who likes to work hard and I can already tell I'm going to love it here. 

So, side note, Italy doesn't sell eggnog.... Weird right? Well, I really like eggnog, so I decided I was going to try and make some. So with optimism in the air, a heck of a lot of eggs and the song 'Joy To The World' playing in the background, we put on our aprons and started. The further in the process we got, the more worried I became, it wasn't easy! What should have been a complete disaster turned into some pretty good eggnog! I don't really know how, but it actually tasted like the stuff you buy from the stores. 

In my studying this week, I came across a scripture talking about the love of Christ, which is something we are trying to share this Christmas season. In Romans 8:38, 39 it says 

"38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It's pretty comforting to think that nothing can separate us from that love that Christ has for us. No matter how many times we mess up, He is still there and still loves us! I hope all of you can feel that love this Christmas season and share that with others. Thanks for all that you, much love coming over here from Italy!

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Hello World!

 Well what can I say? It's been another good week here, with another transfer coming to an end. That's right, we have transfer calls coming tonight, which is probably one of the most anticipated nights for all missionaries. I have been here for almost 6 months so there is a good chance I am out of here, but we'll see what happens. I hope everyone had an awesome thanksgiving! I know we did here! We had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and even the cranberry sauce that somehow always makes it to the table but is never eaten.  I guess the only thing that was really missing was the football. Oh well, there is always next year. Then for our last 

P-day we went to the American base! Had to get those last American supplies for the transfer! 

This week I want to focus on the Church's #lighttheworld! That's right, the church has put out 25 different ways we can be that light that Jesus was when he was here for 25 days. It's easy, you don't even have to make any of them up, they are literally given to us! So let's go out and be that light for others! It starts this Friday, so make sure all of you have your calendars (found on lds.org or mormon.org) and start off strong! I believe in you guys! Much love coming over from Italy!

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

A Year.... Huh?

Hello everyone! Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, not only have we had another great week here in Napoli, but rather, an amazing year here in the mission. Yep, as strange as it sounds, I have now been out more than a year, I have reached the top of the mountain, gotten of the ski lift, and I am now skiing my way down the mountain. This is when is gets really fun, but, unfortunately doesn't last as long as the first part. Let's not get too focused on that, after all, I do get a whole other year in this country I have grown to love, and that is a very good thing.  

This week was a fun one! Just a lot of good solid work, and even a wild goose chase! Yep, we received a referral to go find and help someone with some genealogy. Well, little did we know how far it really was. We ended up walking for close to 5 hours, all for them to tell us that right now probably wasn't going to work, but maybe another time. Well with heads hanging low we started our long trek back. Haha, all part of the experience, right? We actually were able to really help out a couple who were having some marriage struggles, though, and that was a great experience. I cannot lie, I was never the one to really be in a serious relationship in high school, let alone know what it's like to be married. Luckily, my parents are perfect examples, so with the help of the Holy Ghost and their example, we worked out some issues. It actually turned out surprisingly good! Haha. 

With the Thanksgiving coming up, I thought I might use this time to thank all who have helped me along this path. I could not have done it with out you guys. I would also like to thank my family who do so much for me. I would not be the person I am today with out them, and words can't even express how grateful I am for them. I am grateful for Christ and His Atonement. I am grateful that we have living prophets and apostles today, but most of all I am grateful that we have a loving Heavenly Father. I encourage everyone to take a moment and think about what you are grateful for. Love you all! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Food From Africa.....

Another good week down and it's been a great one! We took a break with pizza this week and tried some African food. Tuesday we had the opportunity to go to and African restaurant with one of them members who has just moved here.  Wow, it was something else! I'll tell you what, Africans just have different food. Let me explain, for most African dishes they will eat a soup with either rice or something called pounded yam, otherwise known as Fufu. Fufu is a classic African dish, so of course, I ordered Fufu with a soup called Okra. Now, how you eat this food is very strange. Remember when you were little and you just ate everything with your hands? Well, we're going back ladies and gentleman, with a big fat ball of Fufu on the plate and bowl of Okra soup on the side, I ate my whole meal with my hands. That's not even the crazy part, when you put the Fufu in your mouth you swallow it whole, yep that's right, no chewing. Haha, it actually wasn't too bad! For P-day we found are way back down to Positano! Yep, and this time it was even better! We were able to hike along the Amalfi Coast it was way cool! 

This week I came across an amazing talk given by Gordon B. Hinckley when he was the first counselor in the First Presidency. The talk was called "Don't Drop the Ball", and he talks a lot about the character of someone. He said something that really stuck out “You can’t tell the character of an individual by the way he does his daily work. Watch him when his work is done. See where he goes. Note the companions he seeks, and the things he does when he may do as he pleases. Then you can tell his true character." Anyone can work hard at work or when asked too, but what he does when he is on his "off" or leisure time can show his true character. How do we act when we are with our friends or after a long hard day and we are tired? If we live with a "loyalty to God" "at ALL times" then we can become true disciples and be the light that shines forth in every situation. Love you guys! Hope you guys have another good week!

 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Sorrento, the City of Lemons......



Well, this week was a little bit slower than normal. We did a lot of finding, which isn't really new. Facebook has been a huge tool in the missionary work here, maybe not necessarily the actual app, but the messenger app that we use. We're able to stay in contact with a lot of people that way. It's so neat to see how the Lord uses so many different tools to hasten His work. It's amazing to be a part of it! 

Today for P-day we went to the beautiful Sorrento. I'll give you guys the quick little history lesson on Sorrento. Sorrento is known for 2 things, lemons and music boxes. Wow, the music boxes are just beautifully crafted and the lemon candies and ice cream are to die for. After roaming around Sorrento all morning we happened to run across a place where they sell lemon granita and then you can walk the lemon orchards. It was pretty cool to say the least. Definitely a beautiful city. 

Today I would quickly like to talk about the sacrament. The sacrament is one of the most important things we do every week. It is through the sacrament that we renew those covenants we have made with God, promising to take upon the name Jesus Christ, always remembering Him, and obeying the commandments. It is the most dramatic way we show that we want to be a disciple of Christ and that we are, in fact, willing to do what He asks. When we do, we gain a better understanding of the Atonement and the sacrifice He made. I hope that everyone realizes how important the sacrament is, and that we allude our best to partake of it each and every week. Love you all, and hope you guys have a great week.

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍