November 4, 2010

Dear Family,

So we were at a meeting in Salvador the last two days. I’m getting used to sleeping on busses sweaty and sticky but that’s just part of it. We got back to day. It was cool. President Vecchi told us about a program that they are going to start in Brasil. It’s to make Brasil self sufficient. They now are asking young men here to leave for a mission with 18 years, and they are asking wards to pay for these missionaries. It will be announced in our stake conference here in a week. What this means is a little bit of sacrifice on their parts. We are talking a big sacrifice. Our job is going to be going to all of the members and asking them to give 200 reis for two months. But that is about half of their salary. So to us that doesn’t sound like a lot but to them it’s going to be a true test of faith. We are excited to see what will happen as we read in the scriptures that miracles happen when we sacrifice.

This week I read two really good talks that Elder Jones showed me. One is called “Believing Christ; a Practical Approach to the Atonement”. It was really good and if you guys can you should read it for a Family Night or something. Sometimes out here on the mission I just beat myself up about stuff and realize that I’ll never be perfect and I think about how much my Savior did for me and I still make mistakes and it makes me mad. But something that this talk said that I liked is “you believe in Christ, but do you believe Christ?” It was a really good talk. I love my mission. I love the fact that I am in tune with the spirit. I didn’t know what I was missing. I love helping people. I love the fact that I want to be better. Justin if I could re-live high school I would be nice to everyone. Be a friend to everyone. Put your arm around those who don’t have someone by their side, because at your judgment they will stand up for you. I know you are good about that but I’m sure you could do better.

The ward here is great. We are going to try and work harder with the members to baptize more references. We have some good investigators. We have a man who is with date for this week and wants to be baptised so bad but we will see if he is ready for this Saturday. Well I love you all. I know that Jesus is our Savior and that He lives. Take care.

Love, Elder Anderson