Tomorrow will be one year that I entered the CTM! How crazy is that? And guess what happened? So yesterday we were at a member’s house eating lunch and I got a call. It was our secretary of the branch. He said “there is a guy here who said he knows you and he wants to get baptized. He said he was interviewed and everything”. Then he said “I don’t know. Talk to him and see if you recognize his voice.” And it was elder R Ferreira! He and his wife were passing through Porto to see the sights. So we went to the church and saw them. We talked for a little bit and then we hung out a little bit today and went and saw some sights. They are doing really well, and here in a week he will start working in the CTM. He is excited. He will teach Americans. I don’t know how because his English is terrible but it’s funny.

This week has been pretty good. Thanks for the voice clip I already listened to it and I liked it a lot. I have to buy a battery for the voice recorder and I’ll try and send one (a voice clip) next week. Your mission stories do sound a lot like our mission here. That was interesting.

This week we have been working really hard but just everything has been falling but that happens. We found a 21 year old girl that likes the message and she is with date to be baptized and she said she would like to serve a mission too. She is really serious about everything. She was a really strong member of a different church for 10 years but she said when she gets an answer she will get baptized and I know she is sincere about getting an answer so I know that God will give her one.

But we are doing really well. Sounds like you guys are too. Send a hug to everyone. I'll try and send some pictures here right now. Thanks.

Love you.

May 19, 2010

Hey Family,

Thanks for the e mail. I loved it.. Dad thanks for the stories. I really regret not talkin to you about your mission more before my mission. Thanks for the uplifting stories. Almeida and I are doing good, especially for staying together for 3 transfers so that’s been good. I'm learning to love him... I don’t always like him but I love him. I told him that the other day and he hugged me, ha.

Dad I can’t believe you made it up “Open Book”... (Open Book is the name of a rock climbing route at a local rock climbing area where Mike is training the Teachers and Priests in the ward so they can climb Chimney Rock this summer for their high adventure activity.) I can’t ever remember seeing you climb... We will have to climb when I get back. I was starting to get a little tummy because of Irma Dina (the lady they baptised a few weeks ago who feeds them all the time) so I had to start doing push ups and sit ups again.. It stinks but ya just gotta do it sometimes.

Holy smokes Ben already finished his mission... that means Tim Lines has got to be close too. Nick Novokavich only has 4 more months ... its unreal. But I’m doing good. I didn’t send the flash drive yet... but at least the pictures are on it. I figure... 6 months to get the pics on it and another 6 months to send it ... Ha, just kidding. I‘ll try and send it this week. Sounds like your all doing well.

I haven’t got to the part in “Jesus the Christ” where He does the atonement but I’m really excited. But it’s interesting. I always thought that on a mission I would learn all these cool doctrines that other people don’t know or these little cool things about the scriptures but every day I study I just get a stronger testimony that Jesus is our Savior, and that everything about the gospel and salvation revolves around that man. I know my Savior better today then I ever have. I’m here working for Him. I know He lives and I know He loves us. And the more I understand the atonement the more I want to repent and do better. I hope that one day I will understand it enough that I will eventually loose every desire to sin. But I love you all and miss you. Take care!

Love,

Elder Anderson

Tim sent Konni a letter with this picture for Mother's Day. It is Dona Dina, the older lady they baptized a few weeks ago.

Hey Family,

It was really good to talk with you guys too... It’s kinda bitter sweet but this time was better than the last time I talked to you guys and I loved it, and then after we just went right back to work so it was good. My mind wasn’t at home for very long.

So this transfer...... I’m still in Porto ... and I’m still with Elder Almeida! Ha. This is my 4th in Porto and 3rd with Almeida. It was really unexpected but I’m alright with it... It’s never easy to stay 3 with the same person no matter who it is but we get along fine and we work really well and the branch needs us. So we’re excited to just keep going with our work that we have been doing.

So that guy I helped… he lives in Utah, family are all members of the church (him too). And he got robbed, doesn’t speak any Port, and so we just bought him a bus ticket and helped him talk to the police to get a visa again. Then he left to Rio de Janeiro to get his passport and then go home. His family has some friends in Rio. He is all good now.

I did buy a pin drive and put all my pictures on it so I’ll send that off this week. There are lots of pictures so that should make Mom happy.

Elder Nalder is the man. I hope he can get back out asap. Send my loves to him. Elder Sanderson went to Conquista, Elder Jones went to Jaquie (which is the hottest place in the world! It’s gotten up to 49 deg C) and Elder Weaver stayed in Salvador but he was called as a Zone Leader there. He is the man. He will be a good zone leader for sure. Oh and Jones is training. It was cool. There’s a fairly new American - Elder Larson - in the place of Sanderson. I’m excited to work with him. Well I’m really pressed for time today. I had a bunch of stuff to do but I love you guys. Take care. Have a good week!

So it looks like the video didn’t work. Sorry. I spent most of my time trying to send it but I’m just gonna have to buy a pin drive and put all my pics and videos on it soon and send them to you.

Me and Elder Sanderson found a donkey today and the donkey looked at me and said “Wanna ride?”... so naturally I saddled up ... without a saddle. It was funny. We had a little rodeo ha.

But things are going really good. I really have no time to write you guys this week. I wasted it all trying to send that video. But I’ll get to call you this Saturday. I’ll call about 8 pm my time (so i think that’s about 4 your time on Saturday) to set it all up for Sunday...

I hope you’re all doing good. I loved the photos. Looks like you’re all doing well - Kimbo and Jacob and everyone. I’ve got some good stories. I’ll try and make a list of things to tell you guys on Sunday so I don’t forget anything. But things are going really well here. I’m praying for you and love you all so much.

Love,

Elder Anderson