Week 8

Hey everyone! I hope that all of you have been doing well. We had some ups and downs this week but that's usually how it goes. We have an investigator struggling and it's tough to see that from our perspective. I come to really care about the people we meet and teach and because of that, I want them to want the gospel for themselves. I know it can bless them and their families and so when they choose not to continue to learn and grow closer to Heavenly Father it's hard. But on the flip side when we do see people choose to listen and learn and try to strengthen their relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ it's awesome. Sitting across from them looking them in the eyes and promising them blessings that they'll receive as they choose to keep the commandments strengthens my faith. Each time I tell them that they'll be blessed for keeping the commandments I know that it's not a promise that I'm making with them, but it's a promise that comes from Heavenly Father. I have a firm testimony that Heavenly Father keeps His promises, we can trust Him with everything.

Something we've worked on this week is trying to leave everyone we talk to with a positive feeling about their experience with us. Even if it's just a short interaction, we want to help them feel the spirit and be open to hearing the message that we have to share. The message that Heavenly Father wants them to hear because he loves them. Something I've seen that's been interesting is that when we meet someone, they might know who we are and have friends who are members but they have so many questions they just havent asked anyone. It's really cool to be able to answer those questions but it's even cooler when we hear that they've had questions answered by their friends who are members. One of the members in our ward brought a friend to church and we overheard him teaching his friend about the restoration. I've already set a goal to be more open about sharing the gospel after my mission because I know how much it helps when members are involved.  I hope everyone can try to share the gospel or even a simple testimony of how the gospel has blessed your life with someone you know or on social media. We can lift people up as we share with them that Jesus Christ is their Savior and Redeemer. Like always I'm so grateful for everything that is sent my way. I hope that everyone has a great week and see's the blessings they recieve from Heavenly Father.

Love,

Elder Anderson