Week 41

Dear Everyone,

I hope everyone had a great Easter Sunday! I definitely did!

I learned a lot this week. I feel like a grew in some different ways. I'm progressing as a missionary and it feels good to be able to notice that. I think one of the most important things in life is to continue progressing. I've definitely fallen into the trap of coasting in my life before and it didn't help me. Our Heavenly Father blesses us with so many opportunities to learn and grow. Do we use those opportunities? Do we make necessary changes? I think one of the hardest things to do is recognize those opportunities. This past weekend was a great learning opportunity and it was hard to not recognize. This weekend was General Conference. It was a chance to hear Prophets and Apostles speak to us by the power of revelation and give us instruction and guidance for our day. It was such a great conference with many changes and a lot of instruction. There were so many great messages but one of my favorites talked about failure. We all fail, but we don't have to lose our enthusiasm. Keep pushing forward, keep learning, growing, adapting and never give up! Jesus Christ is on our side! He wants us to succeed! That was one of the many messages that stuck out to me. I hope you were able to listen and if you weren't, you can go back and listen!

General Conference was the highlight of my week but we also had a Zone Conference this week. We talked about setting powerful goals that don't bring you anxiety but that bring you peace. "Set goals that give you peace". Another thing we talked about was the power of pure doctrine and the importance of using the scriptures in our teaching. I have a lot of stories, but the Holy Ghost doesn't have to bear witness of my stories to anyone. But the Holy Ghost does promise to bear witness of the truthfulness of the word of God. One of the most powerful feelings I've had in my life is a feeling that I receive quite often as a missionary. When I or someone else bears testimony of a truth of the Gospel, the Spirit is there. The feeling of the Spirit has become so dear to me as I've had the experiences I have had with it. It brings me a joy that fills me. A recent convert from the Palmdale 1st ward that I had been teaching when I was there would describe the Spirit as "a loud whisper, or a cool warmth". Haha it doesn't seem to make sense but for those who have heard and felt the Spirit, it's a pretty neat description.

Thank you to everyone for your support!

Love,

Elder Anderson