SIX MONTH MARK

Week 27
December 19, 2016

First of all... MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Hello Friends and Family, 

I hope you had a great week.  This week's letter is going to be  little different because I hit my six month mark in the mission.  I would just like to share my feelings about these first six months.

Wow six months already, that is absolutely crazy... the slowest but fastest six months of my life.  It's crazy that in these last 6 months 

• I have been learning 3 new languages, 2 of which I'd never heard of six months ago.  
• I moved to a new country.
• I haven't watched any TV. 
• I haven't played even one round of golf.  
• I have given up almost everything I had before my mission, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  
• I have lived with 4 different people  24/7.  
• I have learned a completely new culture and lifestyle.  
• I have learned how to work hard even when I want to die because I'm so tired.  
• I'm not picky any more.   I eat almost eat anything.  
• I've lost 40 pounds
• I have stopped taking simple things for granted...toilet paper, plastic bags, my mom, a washing machine.  
•  I got hit by a drunk driver. 
•  I sweat 24/7.  

Best of all, I have noticed how blessed I am, and how the Lord blesses me.  I have literally seen the Lord's hand in my life.  I have seen so many peoples' lives change from this amazing gospel.  I have seen people change and make extremely hard choices and be blessed because of those changes.  I've realized this church... The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints really is the only true church today.  I know we have a living prophet who has the same power as prophets of old such as Moses and Adam.  This mission is definitely  the hardest thing I have ever done, or even tried, but it is by far the most rewarding thing I've ever done.  I love being  missionary and I love sharing my Savior's gospel every day.  I'm so glad that in six days we will get to celebrate His birth.  I'm so thankful for my family.  I have the best family in the world.  They are perfect examples to me and have been there for me every point in my life.  Plangga gid ko kamo tanan Halong Kamo.  

Love,

Elder Andersen

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Add caption

Budah-fight 

Budag-fight with a lechon

Culasi Branch Christmas Party

Six Months Baby- burning a tie!

Sis Months Baby!

Views of Pandan

Culasi Branch Christmas Party

6 Month Mark- burning a tie

Views of Pandan

Views of Pandan

Golfing in the Philippines

Birthday Party

Birthday Party

Views of Pandan

My new BFF...Moymoy the Monkey

Gonna miss this place

Last night in Dumangas

Last night in Dumangas

BIG CHANGES!!

Week 26
Monday, December 12, 2016

Hello all,  

I hope you have had a great week.

So, my new Area is.... Pandan,  Antique!!!. (It's literally the very northwestern tip of the island.)  The areas is dope, it is just super far away from anything...  The area is beautiful though,  and I love it.  

I'll just kind of go through the week...  On Tuesday, Elder Richards and I took a jeep to a terminal in Iloilo and met our Zone Leader, Elder Cobabe at the terminal.  Then, we went to a different terminal where we caught a ceres (bus) to San Jose, Antique (That was about a 3 hour ride.)  When we got to San Jose, I met my companion,  Elder Zabariza.  He's way awesome... he goes home after this transfer though.  After that, we hopped on a another ceres to go to Pandan (Another 3 1/2 hour ride.)  We finally got home to the apartment at about 8:00pm,  I unpacked and them  we went to bed,.

This week was good though.  Elder Zabariza got here about 3 weeks ago so we're both really new and trying to figure out the area.  This area has been "dead" for a while, so it's our job to get it going again.  We spent a lot of the week tracting and just talking to everyone.  We have gotten a bunch of new investigators and the area is starting to to get "lit".  

I already know that I'm gonna lose a bunch of weight in this area... we walk a ton.  Our area is huge, and our house is so far away from everything.   if we're out past 6 we have to walk an hour and a half back to our house. 

Here in Pandan,  there is just a group with an average church attendance of around 20.  So, it's very small, but great!  The missionaries talk in church almost every Sunday, so that'll be a change.  

The Language:

So the language (Karaya) is not too different at all.  I pretty much understand everything anyone says and they understand my Ilonggo.  I will also learn a lot of Tagalog here, a bunch of our investigators speakTagalog. I am happy about that. 

One bummer about this area is the internet connection.  It is terrible... so I wont be able to send pictures very often.  I'll try, but it does not look to good.  

Well, that's all I have for this week.  I hope you all have a great week.

Much Love, 

Elder Andersen

WE DIDN"T GET ANY PICTURES THIS WEEK.  (Logan said that his plan is to send a bunch of pictures each time they go into the city.)

A FEW ANSWERS TO  QUESTIONS FROM OUR PERSONAL LETTERS:

"They call this area the place where the mountains meet the sea.  It is way cool."

"The new apartment is alright, not even close to as nice as my last one, but whatever!  I know there's at least one rat that lives with us though."

"We have to travel three hours to get to Zone meetings, etc. and an hour to our District Meeting...which is one thing I forgot to mention...I was made a District Leader. (WHAT...HE FORGOT TO MENTION THAT????)  I'm really glad that Elder Cobabe and Richards got transferred with me.  Since I'm a DL, I get to talk to Elder Cobabe a lot which is great."

"I'm 3 hrs away from my Zone Leader, and I'm not sure how far away from Elder Richards."  

"The place shuts down at six, so theres no trikes after that, it's rough.  We can catch one before 6. but we get back way too early, so we never do."  

"My goal is to also become fluent in Tagalog  I really want to be able to talk with Elsa (his Aunt.).

"The new area is really good, I love it.   The new language is super similar, not hard at all.  I just have to replace about 100 vocabulary words, and that's it.  

"My new area is like five times the size of the last one, but there is only a group at church here (about 20 people at church ...so this area is  about as different from my last area as it could have gotten."  

"For Christmas, we will go to San Jose to Skype, that'll be great.  I'm sp excited, but that's all i know as of now."

GEORGE COSTANZA AND MY LAST WEEK IN DUMANGAS

Week 25

Monday, December 5, 2016

Friends and Family,

Last week in Dumangas, and George Costanza

The title of my letter is my crazy story of the week...

For those of you who do not know...Seinfeld is my favorite show.  When I watched it, I realized so much of that show relates to real life.  So,  this past  Friday we were walking to an appointment, and as we were getting close to the house, there was a branch hanging down that I didn't see (it was dark).  The tree hit me so perfectly in the face, that it ripped my contact out.  Also, for those of you who don't know... I'm completely blind without contacts.  So I had one good eye and one not-so good eye... haha.  We got to the house and while having one contact in absolutely stinks, i needed it.  The whole time I was winking because I could only see  out of one eye, and during the entire appointment I could only think of George Costanza In the one episode where he gets lemon juice in his eye.   He winks at everything and ends up getting a guy fired.  I thought it was pretty funny, and our investigator was probably wondering WHAT i was doing!.  

I found out yesterday that today is my last day in Dumangas.  Tomorrow I will be transferring to the Antique zone!!!!! I'm really excited, but a little sad becauseI have really grown to love Dumangas so much.  One of the first questions I asked when if found out i was transferring was "What language is spoken there?"  This is  probably one of the only missions in the world you have to say that... haha! The language that i will be speaking  Karay-ah.  I have heard it spoken a little here, but not much.  A lot of the vocabulary is different, but the grammar is the same.  My dad in the mission, Elder Paxton, described Karay-ah in a great way. "Ilonggo (the language i speak now) is known as the language of love. Karay-ah is the language of hate.  There will be two best friends that just saw each other for the first time in 20 years and they will be so happy, but it sounds like they're about to kill each other." So, that's it...the language i will be speaking. 'm  excited though.   Elder Richards is also transferring to the Antique Zone as well as our current Zone Leader.  He will be the Zone Leader in our new area too. I'm really good friends with both him and Elder Richards, so it'll be tight.  We won't find out who our companions will be or which area in the Zone we will be in until tomorrow. 

This week was pretty good.   This area is about to catch fire...It's going to be a great area for whoever replaces me.   

Well that's all I have to report for this week. There'll be lots to talk about next week.  I love you all and I hope you all have a great week.

  

'Til we meet again,

Elder Andersen 

Quesions answered from our personal letters: 

 (When asked if he knew anything about his new area that he will be serving in) 

"The whole zone is a bunch of beaches.  It's supposed to be beautiful.  Most likely I will have a native companion, but i really have no idea."

Elder Andersen asked me to send him some pancake mix  and syrup.  Elder Richard's family sent him some. They had their native companions try the pancakes with syrup.  

"They don't have syrup here.  It was funny when our companions tried it because the just put a little bit of syrup on their pancake, then after they tasted it...they put a boatload on...haha!"

"The Ilonggo is pretty natural now, but i guess it doesn't mean anything now that I'll be speaking another language.  One night this week, I woke up and said something to myself in straight Ilonggo.  haha.  I was like..."Woah...why did I do that? Also, Engish is starting to not make sense anymore...haha

I

We made the cake my mom sent me for my birthday.

Two of my favorite members in the Ward.  They are always laughing and having fun.

Half my size

Last Sunday in Dumangas

Last Sunday in Dumangas

The Boys- at the Transfers

The Boys- at the Transfers

TYPHOONS, THANKSGIVING and TURNING 20

Week 24

Monday, November 28, 2016

(Logan turned 20 this week, celebrated Thanksgiving and had a typhoon hit his island...quite a week.  I am so thankful for family and friends here in the states that wished him a happy birthday and for all those in the Philippines who made his birthday great when we couldn't be there!  Thanks to Elder Richard's family for the Thanksgiving Dinner...looks like they loved it!)

Hello family and friends, 

Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes... I really appreciate it.

This week's crazy story: 

Typhoon, Birthday, and Thanksgiving... what a week!  So this past Thursday was great we were actually able to kind of have a Thanksgiving dinner thanks to Elder Richards and his family.  We made instant potatoes, stuffing, chicken, ice cream, rolls and a lot of butter.  It was amazing ...I'm pretty sure our Pinoy companions were a little confused and thought we were crazy!   Next the typhoon...on Friday, a typhoon hit Iloilo.  When we woke up it was dark.  it was so dark it felt like one of those days where you just really wanted to stay in bed.  We of course got up anyway and got ready.  After we got ready and started our studies, we got a call from our Zone Leader saying we couldn't work and we had to stay inside, so our "Black Friday" consisted of doing laundry and chillin' while we studied.  Next my birthday... My birthday was great, even though it didn't really feel like my birthday because we of course worked all day.  Birthdays are a big deal here and almost every member has wished me a happy birthday this week.  I was given a cake by a member and another cake from the bread shop that we love and have become good friends with the owners. It was awesome.  We had dinner at Sister Nava's which was fun, and surprisingly... I tried SQUID (don't throw up mom).  It was actually really good.  Who would have thought I would ever eat squid. Thank you to everyone for all the birthday presents and packages.  I love everything!

The work:

This week was a good work week as well.  One big focus in the mission right now is extending a baptismal invitation during the first lesson.  We did that as much as we could this week and it was awesome.  The coolest moment happened yesterday.  We were working with a few members from our ward...all older youth.  One of the members, JM had a friend that lived close to where we were working, so we decided to go visit her.  She's awesome!  We ended up sharing a short message and extending a baptismal invitation, and she accepted!  The best part was JM though, he was so excited!  Everywhere we went he told everyone his friend had a baptismal date!   WAY COOL!  Another cool experience this week was contacting one of the OYM's I talked about.  His name is "A"  He is way dope.  When we contacted him, he told us he was almost done with 1st Nephi...also, WAY COOL!   He also accepted a baptismal invitation.  

The Language:

The language is coming a long really well, I am getting better and better each day.   

Thanks you everyone for all your prayers, birthday wishes, and support.  I love you all.

Elder Andersen 

Thanksgiving Feast...Thanks to Elder Richard's family

Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving Feast with ice cream

Free trike ride on a trike that's meant for pigs

Trike Ride

Birthday Dinner- Squid

Squid

Birthday Cake from the bread shop we frequent.

After church yesterday

MISSIONARIES SHOULDN'T BET!

Week 23

Monday, November 21, 2016

Hello friends and family hope you all had a great week!

Crazy story this week...(there's always a crazy story in the PI.)

One night this week we stepped outside our apartment and there was this huge lizard called a Toko (I sent pictures of it.) It was kind of scary because it was huge and they bite.  I made a bet with Elder Planilla...I bet him that if he could catch it, I would give him half of my chocolate covered raisins.  I didn't think there was any way he was going to be able to catch it.  Let's just say after a lot of laughing and being scared, half of my chocolate covered raisins are now in Elder Planilla's possession. It was a great fight though, and TOTALLY worth it.  

Investigators:

This week was kind of a struggle with our investigators.  I'll start with Brother "M".  He is really struggling right now.  He has some tough trials and and has lost his testimony.  He keeps telling us he wants evidence that Joseph Smith is a true prophet.  We tell him that he is literally holding the evidence in his hands and all he has to do is read it.  it's very tough, hopefully he comes around.  Next, "R",  I'm not sure if I have talked bout him before, but he investigated the church about 3-4 years ago.  We contacted him, and he is awesome.  He knows all about Joseph smith and he really wants to be baptized. the only unfortunate part is that he is going to Thailand really soon and will not be here anymore.  So, I don't think we'll be able to baptize him.  "C" family- They are doing really well they're really interested about learning more.  The big news this week was about one of our investigators, "K"... I'm not sure I've talked about her either.  She is a long time investigator (as in 3-4 years)  She knows the church is true and is ready for baptism, but she is not married to her "live in partner" who is a member, just less active. She told us that they are getting married in February...so dope!

The language:

Funny experience this week with the language.  We were talking to this guy this week and he asked how long I have been in the Philippines.  I actually miss understood him and thought he was asking how long we are here in the Philippines for our mission.  I responded 2 years.  He and a couple others were like... WOW... you already know so much Ilonggo and you've only been here for 2 years.  I was like...oh... I've really only been here for 4 months.  That was pretty cool. There were some other people that were around during that time and asked if I knew Ilonggo, he would pipe up  and say, "YES!"

The work is great and I love the Philippines.  I love serving my Lord and I have been extremely blessed because of it.  

Til we meet again,

Elder Andersen

Other pieces from our personal letters:

It's crazy that i am almost 1/4 done...my 1/4 mark is really next week at transfers.  It is so crazy and has gone by so fast for me.  I was reading my journal the other day and had written at my 2 month mark.  I hit five months a few days ago...where did time go?

Elder Richard's mom sent a package for Thanksgiving.  We aren't really doing anything special, but we are going to come home after working on Thanksgiving and have a feast.  She sent him some instant potatoes, turkey spam and a bunch of stuff...haha!  

The language is really good.  I'm comfortable to the point that i can have a normal conversation and not worry at all about the language.  I'm feeling okay about transferring (if that happens) and possibly learning another new language.  Elder Richards and I were talking and think that this is probably the one of the only missions that when you get transferred you ask, what language you will be speaking...haha!  It  would be nice to stay in this area so I can be here for Christmas, but I will do whatever I'm asked.

I"m great and loving the Philippines.  I absolutely LOVE this place.  I can't believe that I have been gone for 5 months.  The time has really flown!

Toko- A lizard here that makes a really loud sound ("TTTTOOOOOOKKKKKKOOOOO")  This one was huge.  we walked out of our apartment and it was right there on the wall.

Zone Conference 

The best sign a business could have.

FHE at the "L" Family's home.