IDMM

This week started off with basketball at the YMCA last P day again and that had to have been the best ball there since I have gotten here! Lots of good ballers, so it made for an awesome exercise! As we were walking out we saw Sis Ralston the Branch Presidents wife, so we talked to her and she invited us over for Dinner! So we had a great night there!

Tuesday we left right after studies to go to the Leon Elders area and do some work there! They haven't found any new investigators all transfer. These Elders have not been very motivated cause they know they are in a tough area and it seems that when I try to motivate them, they get Demotivated. So kinda tough but we hit it pretty hard and were able to find 2 New Investigators that day. Sadly we had to go in early at 5:30 because of the freezing rain.

Wednesday we left from Leon up to Osceola and had District meeting. I didn't have hardly any time to prepare a training, but I had some thoughts and just winged it and it worked out. The spirit just took over. It was on planning and how to better plan our days and use our daily planners more effectively. So we’re all striving to have Golden Planning sessions. Then right after District meeting we took the long drive down to Centerville to go on exchanges with those Elders! It was a great exchange and we found 5 New Investigators! We also had a lesson with a couple they have been working with and since Centerville, Iowa is apparently the Meth capital of the World, he told us about some of his past and the crazy things that are always happening there, as he was drinking out of his giant king mug full of Whiskey and Tea, and he went through a couple of them! lol Also last night when I called to get a weekly report from the Centerville Elders, they told me that while they were out knocking they heard a bunch of Gun Shots and then a lot of sirens just a block from them!

Thursday we finished Exchanges and were planning on going to Indianola for exchanges with the Zone Leaders but we had to call if off cause of the bad weather. So we took the long drive home. The rest of the week was filled with knocking and not much success. Lots of rejection this week. But my studies this week have been great, I have been reading a lot of the Bible Dictionary along with the Book of Mormon. I love the mission and the time I have to study! I learn so much everyday! I encourage you all to find time to study the Word of God!

Love you all!
Elder Anderson

                                          

Exchanges in Leon

The District

Rathbun lake over by Centerville. As we drove by it we saw like 6 eagles out on the Ice and flying around!

Some good ole Whitetail! We saw a whole heard driving home from Lenox yesterday. The one in the bottom left has already shed his left side!

Missionaries

This week was full of missionary work! haha as always! Nothing too crazy, we had Zone Pday last week in Waukee and Zone Conference in Des Moines. I learned a lot in this one on specific things I can be doing with my Investigators.

Wednesday we had dinner out in Mt Ayr, IA and that's about 45 minutes away so we went early and hit some small towns on the way, we knocked every door in Benton, IA with no success. We stopped in Diagnol, IA and went by a referral from our Branch President. His name is Robert Ikenberry, he has been a member for a long time and has lived there for a few years but his records have never been in our boundaries. So apparently he was last active in Colorado and the church called him and found out where he is now and sent them his way. Really nice guy and has a family of 4 he is the only member. He said he has been planning on getting active again. They also said they would be willing to feed us anytime so were hoping to see some success there! Had a good time at dinner with the Recent converts and taught them about Families and Temples and hoping to get them both to the temple soon.

Thursday while knocking we came across a baptist pastor and he let us in and we had a good chat, lots of questions and answers. Not really a bash, he believed in the trinity and couldn't accept that God and Jesus Christ are separate. Nice guy tho.

Well the work carries on and we continue to try to meet with our most solid people but things keep coming up keeping us from meeting. Satan is very real and is very against this work because of its truthfulness. I know with all my heart that this is true and everyday through my studies and experiences my testimony grows! This is by far my toughest area, I have been doing much fasting and prayer with the Lord to hopefully see some kind of success. I know that we will get an investigator to church this week! The Lord will provide! Keep our area in your prayers.

I love you all! Go to Church and Read and Ponder the words of the Book of Mormon everyday no matter how busy you are!

Love, Elder Anderson

Level B roads are everywhere out here and since it is warming up they are so muddy. My GPS took us to this one and you can see how far our tracks went.

RLDS or Community of Christ here in town.

Iowa Sunset

Saw tons more eagles this week.

8 Inches of Snow

Hello Family and Friends!
We got about 8 inches of snow this week so we did some shoveling! The Community is pretty good with the snow removal out here.

Tuesday the Leon Elders came to our area to go on exchanges, Elder Alton and I went out to Kent IA and knocked on every door there! We found some cool potentials and met an older couple that let us in to warm up and they enjoyed our message and want to learn more. There names are Doc and Linda and Linda has our Branch President as her doctor and she said she just loves him! So we’re hoping to start teaching them.

Wednesday we went out to Indianola IA for Interviews with President Badger. Sister Badger had to stay home since she was sick. For District meeting that day I had everyone give a short training. So last Sunday night I asked them all what they would like to hear me give a training on and whatever they told me I asked them to give a training on. Haha It went great and I think they were all able to learn a lot.

Thursday we had the Centerville Elders over for Exchanges. Elder Orme (from Utah) and I went on Exchanges and taught a few lessons and gave one of our investigators a blessing.
Friday and Saturday it snowed a lot and we went out to the smaller towns and did work. Met a lot of great people and hoping to have some great lessons this week.

Sunday we had a good time at Church and Afterwards the Elders Quorum had set up a bunch of appointments with Less Actives so everyone went out and had great Visits. We met with the Gottemoeller's and that was fun. The Husband there isn’t a member and is still angry at God because he watched his Dad pass away in a farming accident. But the Branch loves them and hopefully one day he can get baptized.

Love you all! Elder Anderson

Blessed

This week was amazing! We did so much it flew by!
So last P day we balled at the YMCA again with a Less Active priest from the Branch, he is really good, but couldn't beat us in 21. haha

Tuesday we left for sharpsburg Iowa, a really small town and we knocked on every door there! Met some really nice people and got a cool new investigator! That night we went to the Price's for dinner, a really nice family that is cousins with the Nybo’s from back home so that was cool! We got permission from our Mission President to spend the night at there place to save miles and go to more areas we haven't been. They had a nice separate living place for us so that was great! They were super nice and had breakfast for us! So the next day we did some work in 3 more small towns, Bedford, New Market, and Gravity. It was a lot of fun!

Thursday we had District meeting and I trained on how to work with your Ward/Branch leadership. A lot on how the Church is to Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable! And us missionaries are the afflictors for the Bishop and others. haha We’re the comforters too I guess. But it was a lot on having a good relationship with your Bishop/Branch President. And how to be a better blessing not a burden. Also made sure they were all having Ward/Branch Coordination and council, and how to make those better and to use them. Us missionaries go to so many different areas we see so many different things so we can bring lots of helpful things to strengthen the area we are in and be more involved with the Branch. I made up an object lesson with Ping Pong, so we played Ping Pong. haha The Bishop was one paddle and the person holding that paddle was satan making bishop look intimidating. The other opponent was the missionaries and the ball was responsibilities and the net was fear. So we had to keep the ball going to keep up on our responsibilities and get over the net or over our fear! Hahahaha It was awesome we all took turns and it turned out super great!

We also contacted a Referral from Sister Ralston the Branch Presidents wife, her name is Mindee and she is so awesome, she has 3 kids and they want to learn more so we are going over there this week with Sis Ralston to teach them!

We also finally got back over to DJ Steeles house and spent the night with his family and had dinner! I love going over there, they are so much fun and we have the best conversations! But he is apparently still offend by the last missionaries so he won’t come to church, but we will get them!

Yesterday we were driving around in the richer area looking for Superbowl parties and the first one we found we went and knocked on the door and they weren't interested but they let us in!!! They had tons of good food and snacks, so that was a MIRACLE we watched a little bit of the game but not much.

We prayed hard to find someone who would be willing to come to church but no one showed. But the lord is blessing us and we will get lots of people there soon! I love the work so much and my testimony grows each day! This is hard work but the Lord is blessing us as we are striving to be exactly obedient!

I love you all! Spread the love this week!

I hit a skunk the other night! lol

Crazy 3 horned sheep, Iowa haha

I took this pic of some Eagles we saw driving home from church!

Christianity

This week was good, a little slow but super good!
We taught Ralph Rodriguez with Bro Austin Monday night and that was great! But we tried to contact him on Saturday and couldn't. SO that was sad, we were hoping he would come to church.

Wednesday while knocking on doors we knocked on the house of one of the ladies we met at the food pantry about a month ago. She is a really nice older lady, didn't seem interested in the church but she invited us to her church and we decided we would go, cause it was that night. It was the First Christian Church! We went and it was great, super nice people! All 15 of them were probably over 80, except their pastor. I have never been there for another churches communion and they were having communion that night. Really interesting and a great experience. We were able to get to know a lot of them, introduced ourselves, and got to know the pastor pretty well.

Thursday we had our District Meeting. We have a lot of young missionaries in the District and we’re all in tough areas, so finding is something we all do a lot. So I decided to train on finding and making it more effective. Also different things to try in their areas and things to help the spirit guide them to who is prepared! Also a lot on going out and making friends and teaching them the Gospel! And to invite everyone to Baptism! We also changed it up a little bit. Since the brethren received revelation to meet in a council for the first Sunday in third hour of church. That made me receive revelation to have District Meeting as a council. Making it more of a discussion. I think it went great!

Also had exchanges with the Zone Leaders in Indianola, that was fun and we got to go play ball with the branch there at the Middle school so that was a ton of fun!
Friday we had dinner out in Blockton, IA. So we went out there early in the day and worked the small town all day until dinner. We found some great people and picked up a part member family.

Yesterday we had church and we got to speak! They texted us Saturday night and said they forgot to assign speakers so we got to speak haha. That was fun! I talked all about John 21: 15-17 about gathering the sheep and member missionary work! After that Bro Allen took us out to some of the surrounding towns to visit less actives or people whose record have been moved to the area. That was a success! Then we went to the Stake Priesthood meeting in Des Moines and that was super amazing! The spirit was so strong and the talks that were given were amazing! Lots of how to become better men, Priesthood Holders, and bringing Christ into Marriage. haha There was a great talk on that! Didn't really apply to us missionaries but it was awesome!

Things are going great out here and my testimony is building! We continue to have great experiences and good times! I love the work and am striving to have no regrets! Everyday is P day!! (Positivity day)

Love you all!
Elder Anderson

Some things we see while knocking on doors

Awesome sign that said go away unless you're giving out beer, so we brought him Root Beer!

Sadly he wasn't home but we will try again!

Exchanges!

Transfers

Well I stayed here in the Lenox area and got Elder Williams! He has only been out for 3 months, so he just finished up being trained. He came from Kirksville Missouri and Elder Lamborn went to Kirksville Missouri. I was also called to be a District Leader.

Last Monday the Leon Elders, Elder Crook who is from Salem came here on exchanges! I went with his Companion Elder Alton and we had a good time! Elder Crook and Elder McCabe the only other Elders in the mission that were from Salem went home last week, so I am the only one now! At least that I know.

Thursday I picked up Elder Williams and we went home and got to work. We found 3 New Investigators and one was Ralph Rodrigez, a really nice man who let us in. We had 2 lessons with him last week, one on Thursday when we found him, and another on Saturday! He was supposed to be at church but didn't show. We have a lesson planned with him for tonight so we will find out.

Friday we had District Meeting and that went great, we have a good District. There are four companionships, the Zone Leaders, and the Sister Training Leaders.

The mission is going good, it is a lot of fun. I learn so much everyday! I love studying from the Book of Mormon everyday it strengthens my testimony! I love you all!

Elder Anderson

Freezing Rain

This week was a Roller coaster!

So last Sunday night I got a call from Elder Decker, he is serving back in my last area Cedar Rapids. He told me that Reggie Cartee got permission to be Re-Baptized!! She found that out on a Saturday and the next day her and Mike flew to Logan, Utah so her Dad could Baptize her! Crazy! I am so happy for her! And that will help Mike quit smoking and get Re-Baptized because she has the gift of the Holy Ghost!

Also if you guys remember when I was in Marshalltown teaching Luis Mora he was dating a Member that lived in Honduras! He went to Honduras and got Baptized and then Married her! Super cool! I am so happy for Reggie and Luis and how I had the opportunity to teach them and help them come unto Christ!

So some highlights from the week:
Tuesday was a really slow day and DJ and Tandy had to cancel Ribs and games that night for some reason and we haven't been able to contact them since! We are so sad but we hope we can get back over there. Then Elder Lamborn got a prompting to go by the first person he ever gave a Book of Mormon to, she lives out in Lenox which is 30 minutes away. But we followed the prompting and she was actually home! We talked to her for awhile and gave her another Book of Mormon cause she lost the other one! haha She said she will come check out our church soon! She lives pretty close to the church building. She is 92 and is still driving! She gets around really well!

Wednesday we went to Centerville, Iowa for a triple blitz, where 3 companionship’s hit the area hard. It was a lot of fun! I went with E Gardiner and we found 3 new investigators! The next morning when we went to leave we were told not to by President because of the Freezing rain, it was super cold with a super bad wind. And everything was ice! So we blitzed that area again. We were able to help them out quite a bit!

Friday was District meeting and we got to watch the Funeral for the Prophet Thomas S. Monson! I am gonna miss him so much, he set such an amazing example for us all and grew the church greatly! I know him to be a prophet of God! If you didn't watch the funeral I encourage you to do so! Watch it for Family Home Evening or something! It was awesome!

Saturday we spent time rounding up all of our investigators and trying to get them to church! We were able to see a few people but no one came to church! :( Church was great though, I love Branch Council! I have been trying to bring things that I saw were successful in my other areas to this Branch. Which has been great! I think this branch is starting to do really well with the 4 new families. Now we just need to get Investigators to church!

Love,

Elder Anderson

​​​​​​​​our Church Building that's in a house!

A really cool frozen lake we went to when it was randomly like 45 degrees one day!

me with a cool wall. haha

some deer sausage we got from DJ steele from a buck he killed

Some beautiful ice skating =)

Another lake and a bit colder! 

Iowa Weather

Yo everyone! Hope y'all had a good holiday season and set some good New Year's resolutions!
So this week we spent a lot of time going by former Investigators. Since it was so cold they didn't want us knocking. But it warmed up pretty quick, it’s like 35 now. Super nice. So I will just talk about some people we found.

DJ and Tandy and their family! So they used to have missionaries come over a lot and they loved them and would have them over for dinner and what not. But they stopped going because apparently some missionaries came and told them they couldn't come anymore because I guess he wasn't progressing or something. They told him that's what their District Leader told them. haha I don’t know why you would say that to someone investigating the church. Anyway we went by, he let us in, and is super nice. Right off the bat I saw some big bucks on the wall and started asking him about them. We talked about hunting for awhile, he and his wife had shot some good bucks. Then his wife and his son Johnny came home and we had a good spiritual discussion. DJ is an ex marine Sniper, Cop, and is now a Rocket Scientist! haha super cool. We believe he needs forgiveness from the lives he took at war. But they fed us dinner and he showed us some awesome card tricks haha. They are so cool and they invited us over for tomorrow night. There having DJ's famous ribs and it's game night! Super excited.

Also found Lindsey and Nathan and their little family. They had the missionaries over a couple times and ended up not being interested. But it had been a few years so we decided to stop by and see if they are prepared now. We went by the address but no one was home. But I decided to look at their teaching record again and it said 404? So we decided to knock the houses around there and the first house was them! She let us in and told us, she really needs it now and has been thinking about it. Didn't meet Nathan but we should be going back this week.

We also found Kari and Kris and their 4 kids! We found them just knocking in Corning, Iowa about a half hour from Creston. Their really cool and wanting a church to go to! Hopefully we can get over to them this week too!

Update on Tim and Tammi. They are going through a tough time with their family. They have an abusive son who doesn't have any respect for his Mom. We set up an appointment and went over with the Second Counselor in the Branch Presidency, because he knows them. So that’s super cool, but we walked in right after an argument or something and Tim was leaving. So that was sad, pray for them, they need the love. I think their so cool and I think their son is awesome. He is like in his late 20's and needs to grow up and be on his own. They are super great I'm hoping we can help them.

We’re still teaching Rich and hoping he can get the work schedule changed up so he can come to church. And he needs to quit smoking. We’re gonna teach him the Stop smoking workshop this week.

Super awesome week, we saw a lot of success and found some awesome families! We're seeing great success finding people going through former investigators. There’s still a lot to go by, so we have a lot of work to do and have a very busy week this week! But I am super excited!

Love you all! Go to Church and read The Book of Mormon everyday! Even if your "not a church goer" haha. That's something we heard a lot this week and it bugs me! So many people aren't "Church goers." But we go because it is so important to partake of the sacrament and feel the spirit at least once a week!

Love, Elder Anderson

2018!

Hello everyone, I'm short on time so I'll make this quick. Last Thursday was Interviews and that took most of the day, after that we went on exchanges with the Leon Elders and went and did some knocking in Lamoni, IA. It's a big place for the RLDS or Community of Christ, as you can see by the name. So we talked to a lot of them and it is really awkward trying to invite them to hear our message. They pretty much now it, but don’t. Really weird.

Friday we helped a lady move in Lamoni, and that went well. We then did some knocking at the College Dorms and that was fun. 

Saturday we were back in our area and did service at the Food pantry and did some finding, but had to be in by 6 because of New Years.

Sunday it got to about -20, but they didn't want to cancel church so that was good! All the other churches around canceled. Glad we were able to partake of the Sacrament. Also went early to shovel snow at the church. Then the Zone told us to stay inside if it was below -3, and we were at -1 at that time. We weren't allowed to go knocking though. So we went and shoveled snow for less actives and members, and did some try bys. Also had to be in at 6 that day.

Monday on New Years Day we had an all day P-day with the Zone! So that was a blast!! We basically balled all day! Yesterday we had another Zone Conference, and it was good we heard a lot of good trainings, and had a good time! I hope everyone has an awesome week! And an awesome 2018!
Love, Elder Anderson

Amish parking & the Amish Store in Lamoni. We also saw a lot of Amish riding their horse & buggies

Zone Pday 1-1-2018

White Christmas

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I'm pretty glad that this is my last Christmas away from home. Definitely missed home. But now I can say, I'll be home for Christmas! So today is our P day because Monday was Christmas and they let us have P day today which is nice.

Last Monday we got to play ball at the YMCA with Austin Bloyd, he is in the Branch and has been a little less active even tho he is only 15. In the town of Creston where he lives there is a lot of racism. He is African American and he has gotten death threats and everything. It’s so bad that he has to get home schooled now. So we have been trying to lift his spirits. We had a great time playing ball with him, he is pretty good too so that was fun.

Tuesday we had a Christmas Zone Conference, basically just sang songs and heard some training's on the birth of Jesus Christ. That took up our whole day, long meetings.
Wednesday we had a lesson with our investigator Rich, he is about 65 and works at Mcdonald's. Nice guy, and he works on the weekends so he can’t come to church right now. We'll see where he goes.

Thursday was exchanges, I went with Elder Baldersten, that was a lot of fun. Elder Baldersten is from Utah and we have served around each other for over 6 months. Friday we finished exchanges and weekly planned and did some finding.

Saturday we did service for the Creston Food pantry and that was great! They fed us lunch too! Also did a round up to get people to church but no one showed! It was only an hour too! But it snowed 5 inches that night so they probably got scared! Also was my Dad's Birthday so Happy Birthday Dad!!

Sunday we went to Church then went out to Blockton Iowa and had lunch at a get together with a members family. Pretty much their entire extended and immediate family makes up the city of Blockton so they were all there. That was fun and they sang some karaoke! Then we went to the Bloyds for dinner, and had a good time there.

Monday we got to sleep until 9:30 so that was great, but I couldn't even sleep that long, I’m so used to getting up at 6:30. Then we went to the Bloyds again for lunch and played Clue, then we went to the Branch President’s house, and got to Skype home! It was great to see the family. That was fun but ended up being really hard. On that skype call home I heard that my Uncle Dan had passed away. It was such a shock it was hard to take. I loved my uncle Dan so much! I'm so sad that he had to go so soon, but I know he is in a better place now and will help us from the other side. I love and miss him and the Floyd family is in my prayers.

I love that I get to take the Plan of Salvation to all these people and bring to them comfort by letting them know that they can be with their loved ones forever and will see them again. There are so many people that believe after this life, it's all over. A lot of the time when we’re out knocking, that is the first thing I tell these people, is that Families can be together forever in happiness! Because it is so true and people need to know that.

I love this Gospel and the comfort and happiness it can bring to us. Especially the Book of Mormon, that book can heal us, as we ponder it's words every day it will heal us and bring our lives joy!
I love you all and your all in my prayers!

Love, Elder Anderson

With President and Sister Badger

Its freezing!

Lots of these signs marking where the saints went through, and lots of these towns I cover are from people who decided to stop, and they lived where they stopped, and now there towns. So lots of church history.

This is where we live and that's our car! haha

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe it is already here again! It doesn't feel like it though, we’ve been having good weather for a while now and the sun is still shining! Normally it is grey and cloudy for months out here in winter. But I guess it's not here yet. No snow yet either.

Well I'm getting used to the area. This week we spent most of our time going by members or Former Investigators and then Knocking all around their houses. We were able to pick up 12 new investigators, so we will see where they all go! We are excited for a couple of them. Also did service at the YMCA and a food pantry. That was fun.

Our Zone here is pretty cool but we never see them besides at District meeting. Church was good, we had a lot of people show, so it was a full house! Literally, it was because we had a branch potluck, so that got out all the less active families. ahaha.

We’re still lighting the world by giving plates of cookies to random people haha. Elder Lamborn loves to cook and bake so he makes me good food! He makes cookies and what not and we will take them out and put them on peoples doorsteps and run! haha

That’s about it for this week, at least that's all I can remember! I did finish the book of John and I loved it! I learned a lot from it, definitely helped me grow closer to my Savior. I encourage you all to strive to grow closer to your Savior by lighting the world this week! Spread the light and love of Christ!

#lighttheworld #MerryChristmas

Love, Elder Anderson

The Boonies

Yes they finally did it, they sent me to the middle of nowhere! Haha I am in the Lenox area, we live in Creston, IA. Super small town. And we cover tons of super small towns all around here, but there all like 45 minutes away. We drive a 2017 Toyota Corolla, our apartment is super small. It was hard adjusting to this place since I came from Cedar Rapids, but it's growing on me.

It was hard saying goodbye to everyone:

Monday I kinda wrapped up training Elder York, and did some work. We talked to a Basher and Elder York kinda lost his temper, he was like slamming the Bible on the table and stuff. Haha pretty funny.

Tuesday we went and said goodbye to Camron, then later that day we got our transfer calls! Then we had a good lesson with Rosie and said goodbye. She cried and it was sad! Also said goodbye to Reggie and Mike, the excommunicated couple we have been working with, their so awesome and I’m gonna miss them. They have come along way and Reggie sent in her letter to the 1st presidency to hopefully get re-baptized!

Wednesday we played a lot of pool with the Zone at a members house, that was fun. Then we had my last Ward Coordination meeting and dinner with the Espinosas. Also went to Red Robin and Camron got us free milkshakes and a mud pie to go! Love that man!

Thursday I got here and visited the Branch Mission Leader and the Branch President. When I got here I called them and got lucky I was able to get to know both and hear about the Branch and what kind of help it needs. Yesterday we went to church in Lenox. They meet in a small house! haha pretty different! but cool.  

Love you all! Elder Anderson

Goodbye to the Ward mission Leader Bro Sherwood

Me and my new companion Elder Lamborn

Nativity

This week consisted of Last Monday, we went to a cool state park with big cliffs and the Cedar River. Tuesday we went on exchanges, I went with Elder May he is super fun, we had a lot of fun together. We even went and got cheap blankets from Walmart and went and put them on peoples porches and knocked and ran off. We set up his GoPro in the bushes next to the peoples door and so we have them on video! haha it was awesome. We could tell the people were super thankful. On one door some kids came out and thought it was awesome, and they yelled "YOU EASTER BUNNY!!" haha It was super funny!

On Wednesday we had apartment appreciation day, a day the mission has set aside to clean the apartments all day and donate all the left behind clothes and what not. So that was crazy, but our apartment is way clean now! That night was ward coordination and it was Rosie's first time, but she did awesome and told some stories about how she is already sharing the Gospel! SO awesome!

Thursday was District meeting and Zone lunch. That took up a lot of the day but we had some time to find a new investigator and go by some of our Investigators. Also, we had Dinner with THE Sis Thornbloom! Friday we spent time with Cameron, had lunch and a lesson! He is still awesome and said he is gonna take us on a vacation out of the country when we get home! Haha I can’t wait for that he is awesome! Only had about 15 minutes to go finding this day but we found a cool New Investigator that was friends with the Bishop’s daughters! That night we had a great lesson with Rosie and we showed her the Restoration video and the spirit was so strong and everyone in the room felt it! Then we went to Applebees with Sis Krsek. She is awesome and takes us out to eat every week! After that we went to the Nativity at the Stake Center. So at the church they have about 800 nativities set up, mainly on tables, lots of small ones, and they are all sooooo cool! But the main one is about life size and used to be in a popular store in Downtown Cedar Rapids, and a lot of the public loved it. However it got damaged in the flood in 2008, but Church members took it in and fixed them all back up and now they have them on display every year! So tons of the public comes to this awesome event! And while you look at the nativities, there are choirs and bands playing. I even sang in the choir for a little bit of it, and an awesome bell band from the Methodist church in town! So tons of non members come out to the event, and there has been a lot of miracles and stories of people telling everyone about it, and feeling the spirit so strongly there. We got to share the gospel with a lot of the people there! Over Friday and Saturday there were about 1500 people that went! Such an awesome event to get people in the Church building to feel the spirit there!

On Saturday we spent a lot of time at the Nativity talking to people and showing them around. Sunday was great as always! We got another Potential Investigator that lives in a mansion! haha And had 2 dinners, I ate way to much at both of them! The Second one was Filipino food, super good but I can still smell it on my jacket. haha.

Tomorrow we get Transfer calls and I am most likely leaving! I love it here so much and don't wanna leave but I will do what the Lord wants me to do! I'm excited to see what happens! Because the wards are all changing on Dec 17th and lots of missionaries are gonna be leaving this area so we will see who stays. I love this Gospel and I love being able to serve the people of Iowa. I love getting able to share this Unique message with people every week!

Love you all! Elder Anderson

Palisades State Park!

Nativity at the church