Week 31

Dear Everyone,

So last week I included a picture of me making juice from some bitter pomegranate seeds. This week, I have learned that "by their fruits ye shall know them". The juice was terrible. I tried different ways of disguising the taste and had no success in masking the awful taste. It kind of tasted like hair spray or rubbing alcohol, no matter how much sugar I dissolved into it. It was a good learning experience haha too bad I couldn't get some good juice out of all that work. Even if we are working hard, if it is in the wrong direction, we'll get somewhere, it just wont be where we need to be. Lesson learned haha hopefully I don't have to learn it again in a different way.

This week was great other than the juice failure. We were able to really work towards our goals and we are seeing a lot of the results of our hard work. I really like the ward I am serving in and they seem to like us too. We have gained a lot of trust here.

One thing that has stood out to me a lot this week is how we are all imperfect. A member was talking about how sometimes we lose our way and we have things to help support us like the church and missionaries and I immediately just felt humbled. I know I'm not perfect. But we aren't expected to be perfect right now. We all need to learn and grow and experience things in this life. Yes I am a missionary, but no, I'm not perfect. We know we aren't exactly perfect, but that doesn't mean we aren't exactly what someone else needs to help support them and help them along the path. It reminded me of something that one of the apostles said in the last general conference. Elder Holland said "Attack me, [if you wish,] I do this myself, but [don’t] attack … the path I follow. … If I know the way home [but] am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way simply because I am staggering from side to side?"

We were speaking with one of our investigators this week about the scripture that says "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it". And he said "when you find that path let me know!" haha and we said to him "that's why we're here!" We truly do know the way. And yes, the way is narrow, the Lord's instructions are specific. Heavenly Father wants us to return to Him, and there's a way to do that. It's specific, and concise, and it's the way. We wont be perfect at following it, but we have a Savior who makes it possible for us to keep going even when we do fall off. We just have to make sure we keep choosing to get back on and try our best not to fall off!

Thank you for everyone who has supported me with emails and prayers! I appreciate it all! I hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Anderson

1. Handstand in a tire

2. Came across a croc in the wild