Well it was quite a warm week here in Palermo. I feel cheated in a way, because I feel like winter just forgot about us and never came. I do miss the snow. On the bright side it has been some perfect weather, not too hot but not too cold. Which is great until March rolls around and your wishing you were doing the polar bear challenge you did when you were a Boy Scout.

The work it's going great! We were able to sit down with one of our awesome simps who is reading Book of Mormon, coming to church and has committed to a baptismal date. Nothing is set in stone, but we're hopeful that we'll get the chance to walk him into that font. Then I packed my bags for a night and headed up to Mistretta to do a scambio (Split). Let's just say we did some really good finding and met some really interesting people. I think I'll just leave it at that. 

In this day and age, when we are so busy and full of commitments, it gets hard to stay focused on the gospel and it's teachings. Especially with so many things that require our attention like work, friends, family, sports, etc. 3 Nephi 3:33 says "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you". If we can always remember to put God first then the rest will come! He will bless our lives and we will find the time to do the things that are important. Much love everyone! 

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

It's been a quiet week here.....

but we've had transfers once again. I'm excited I get to stay with my companion Anziano Atanasio here in Palermo. Which I am totally fine with, because he's a great guy. It's a great area and I'm loving it down here.  The other day we were doing some finding and we ended up stopping this man, who just found a Book of Mormon in the park one day. It kind of took me back. If this guy ends up getting baptized we could probably end up making it into a movie! I know, I know a lot has to to happen before that happens, bit it was a really cool experience. For P-day we took a train to Cefalù! we enjoyed amazing cathedrals and the beautiful Sicilian shores. 

Well today I wanted to share a couple scriptures that I like to use a lot as a missionary. They are among the scriptures that tie the Book of Mormon together.   John 10:16 it says "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" Jesus talking to his disciples said that He had other "sheep" that where not there that he needed to visit. If we hope on over to 3 Nephi 15:17 it says "And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." The nephites where among those other sheep, as well as others. The Book of Mormon is true! Much love everyone.

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year....

Well guys, I know you haven't heard from me since last year, but I'm gonna have to keep this one a little short. This week was amazing with Christmas, New Years and all of the good stuff in between. We were able to eat at our bishop's house both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, and I think thats where I have had some of the best pasta on the mission. It was just too amazing to describe. Anziano Atanasio and I had a good New Years even though we were supposed to be in by dark here in Palermo. People start throwing stuff out their windows and I guess President doesn't want us to get hit by anything haha.

Speaking of New Years, it's a perfect time to make some goals! It's also a good time for a self examination, a 'look in the mirror' kind of thing, to see where you are in your life, and then where you would like to be. Elder Uchtdorf once said "May I suggest that the holy scriptures and the talks given at general conference are an effective mirror we can hold up for self-examination” With the scriptures and modern day revelation we can see how we are doing along this journey of life, and if needs be readjust. This year use these tools that we have so easily accessed to us and watch your year turn into something amazing! Love you all, and have a happy New Year!

Anziano Andersen 🚀
Romans 1: 15&16    🌍

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    🌍