Last Week in East Moline?

Hello Everyone,

Transfers are this week and I most likely will be getting transferred, we find out tomorrow. This week was a good one even tho I got a really bad cold out of nowhere! I don't know why I always get colds. But Hopefully it’s gone soon.

This week we spent more time knocking to save miles, and we did a ton of knocking. We found a few new investigators and had a few guys get really mad at us for coming to their house. Some people have some serious hatred towards us for some reason, and they use colorful language! Haha

The best thing from this week is that we got an awesome new investigator on Saturday and he came to church on Sunday! We knocked on his door and he let us in! He is a black midget and he is awesome! I think he is in his 20s and lives alone, never really gone to a church before but is really willing to learn. He came to church for all 3 hours and stayed for the ward pot luck afterwards! Same with our other investigator Francine, I was so glad to have both of them there! Demetrice is the new guys name and we set a baptism date with him for the 9th of September! Now I wanna stay here in this area, but I don't think I will make it another transfer.

We played a little more ball with some guys on the streets and that was fun, I sure hope a lot of guys show up for ball on Tuesday night! Have a Great week Everyone!

Love, Elder Anderson

John Deere World Headquarters

We saved this racoons life

Me and some corn

Heat Wave/Corn Wave

This week was so hot! The humidity is killer, constantly dripping sweat! On top of that they have cut down on our miles for the car, we get 1,400 a month. Which is crazy, I'm normally used to like 1,800. We also have a really big area so we can’t get to the outside towns anymore. We have been walking a lot lately in this heat, which means a lot of knocking. There has also been a ton of rain here this week which just makes the humidity worse! The corn out here is getting so tall and there is so much corn, just waves and waves of corn for as far as you can see once you get out of the city. Its nuts!

We have been meeting with an investigator that moved into our area about a month ago, we go over a couple times a week to teach her. She has a bunch of little kids, she is from Africa, and she has a newborn that she is trying to help to sleep through the night. So she doesn't get much sleep, she hasn't been able to come to church yet. She also smokes and drinks so we will have to help her with that.

Francine is doing good we met with her once this week. We had Sis. Hirst there with us and it was awesome. Sis. Hirst comforted her and we talked about how missionaries will leave but members will be there. So now she has another familiar face at church. She didn't make it to church yesterday tho, Sis Hirst went to go pick her up but I guess Francine was busy. Sis Hirst also took them some big fans to help cool off there house because their A/C doesn't work.

We also had exchanges and Zone Conference this week, so that was fun. On exchanges all four of us went and 2 of us were on one side of the street and two on the other, and we just both worked down the street haha it was fun. Knocked out a few streets doing that.

Last night we were knocking a street and we talked to a cool kid that plays basketball and we just gave him a card, then kept knocking. But he went outside to play basketball in the driveway and we were heading in for the night. But the Spirit kept saying go play with him and invite him to Tuesday night basketball at the church. Haha I just kept thinking of how cool the conversion story would be haha. But I was like no lets just go in, then I was like wait! Then like nah let’s go in, but then the Spirit slapped me and told me to go play with him, haha so we did. It was a nice outdoor court, we were in a nice area, the kid was about 17 yrs old probably. We started playing 21, a fun game. He was pretty good at ball, he plays for the local high school, but I was dancing on him and breaking his ankles! Haha I won, and you could tell he was embarrassed and thought it was pretty funny that he just got beat by some missionary! haha but I told him to come to Basketball on Tuesday nights so I really hope he does! Haha I love playing street ball with people out here, they all think it’s crazy that I play in church clothes, but then they get beat. hahaha Super fun sharing the gospel that way!

Love,

Elder Anderson

Me and some corn

Helicopter ride over Nauvoo

Nauvoo Pageant

This week was filled with a lot of lessons and knocking. We found several new investigators and set aside several investigators. Monday night we had Dinner with the Snyder family, they're an awesome family who live out in the fields but have an amazing yard with a pool and lots of land. Their house is kinda up on a hill, it’s their dream house and really cool. So many fireflies flying all around out there too it was cool.

Tuesday we went to the Food Pantry out in Geneseo for the last time since the mission has cut down on our miles. So we have been very careful of how far we drive everyday. Wednesday we got to hit the pavement and went knocking most of the day. We found several new investigators and taught lots of lessons.

Thursday we had District Meeting and the Zone Leaders talked for a little bit and told us how we can better help get our investigators to church and it was awesome, I learned a lot. They talked about explaining what goes on at church with people and relating everything we teach back to church and starting off with church. Friday was another hit the pavement day!

Saturday we got to go to the Nauvoo Pageant! The Snyder Family gave us a ride down and it was awesome! We went to a few plays during the day that were really good and cool. They are performed by missionaries that get set apart for 4 months to do it and they are really good at what they do. Then we walked around the temple and got some fudge at the fudge shop! At night the Pageant started and right as you walk in there is a guy that passes out a newspaper. Then you walk a little further and theirs senior missionaries that say here is the real one throw that one in the trash because it is anti mormon. Talks about tons of stuff. SO crazy that those guys have nothing better to do, and they call themselves christian, that's not very christian like. I'd love to sit down and teach/show those guys the truth.

Anyways awesome time in Nauvoo and awesome week! It truly is a miracle what the saints did, the Lord was with them every step of the way! And He is with us every step of the way if we are willing to use the Atonement and strive for greatness everyday! I love you all!

Love, Elder Anderson

The Nauvoo Pageant 2017

America

Hello, This week was fun! Tuesday for the 4th of July we went to the Wards Pancake Breakfast which was good, then we got to work until 4. We got in a few lessons and one new investigator! No members invited us to do anything with them so we stayed in the apartment for the night. Suuupppeerrr boring! I sure missed all the fun things we would do for the 4th back home!

Wednesday we got a few lessons and 3 new Investigators! A Recent Convert took us out to what was apparently the first Dairy Queen, just one of the small ones where you sit outside. Pretty cool! That night we went by an investigator we found the week before and he said he was praying for truth and then we showed up. We talked for a while and we gave him a Book of Mormon and he said he would do some research which is never good, it just means they will get antied. Sure enough, we’re pretty sure he did since he had a lot of really crazy deep questions. Like Kolob stuff, haha but we cleared it up and he said he was gonna give us the Book of Mormon back but he said he will give it another try and pray about it. We told him to make sure he is studying from the source and praying about it.  

Thursday we had Interviews with the Badgers, those are always great! We were able to find 3 New Investigators that day also. Friday we had exchanges, I went with Elder Fox to his area we had a lot of fun. Elder Fox and I have served around each other almost our entire missions so it’s awesome! We were able to find a few New Investigators for them.

Saturday we were trying to round up Investigators and get them to church. I always make a big list of everyone we can go by and invite to church. I also find a lot of former Investigators from the Area book and go by them. It helps a lot and a lot of People say they will come but most don't.

However on Sunday morning we had scheduled to go to Francine's to remind her about church, so we went by but no one answered. We went and took lunch then I felt prompted to go back one more time right before church, so we did and her mom answered and said she was asleep. But she went and woke her up! haha and she said she wanted to come! So we hurried and went to the church and got a member to pick her up with us! She stayed for all three hours and said she liked it! Francine has lived in the USA for 10 years now, she is 20 years old and very shy. So it was awesome that she came to church fighting the shyness. We hope she will continue to progress.

Well it’s been an awesome week! Keep studying from the source and praying! Overcome your fears and follow spiritual promptings! Those are some random things that I saw this week from our Investigators haha! Didn't get any pictures this week, maybe next week sorry! Have a great week everyone!

Love, Elder Anderson

Hola Familia!

Hola Familia,

Another week down! It was a good one! I hit my 8 month mark! I have been baptized!! haha Time really flies! This week was great! We have had the Zone Leaders stay at our house all last week and all this week because their car is in the shop. So that has been a blessing because my comp and I don’t get along too great but it’s not to bad!

This week we found 7 new investigators and I was shocked at how cool some of them are! I really hope we can start working with them this week and meeting with them regularly! We have just been knocking on a lot of doors everyday and talking to as many people as possible. A goal that I set for this transfer is to go by 2 members homes a day just to build trust and hopefully get some sweet referrals! It has been going good but no referrals yet. We also never get dinners here, we only had one or two last week and nothing this week. Nobody even signed up to have us over for the 4th, kinda a bummer.

Most everyone in the ward is gone on vacation, probably to Utah where their all from lol. None of the bishopric was there yesterday so the Stake President had to come. Things are good out here tho!

I love you all and happy fourth!

Love, Elder Anderson

Transfers!

Hello, I am staying in this area for at least another 6 weeks and my last comp Elder Olsen left after just 6 weeks and he is now in Dubuque, Iowa. I received Elder Frew, he is a very interesting fellow and gets on my nerves sometimes. lol It’s all good though it should be a good transfer, the district is cool. Should have some good ball on P days!

Tuesday we got our Transfer calls while we were at the Food Pantry. I was wanting to stay, I don't know what Elder Olsen was hoping for. But then they said where Elder Olsen was going but we didn't know who he said at the time and Elder Olsen was laughing so hard and looking at me like I’m in trouble for my next transfer. lol I was like oh great! But then I asked him who it was that was getting transferred and it was Elder Olsen so I started laughing at him! haha His new comp is apparently going home this next transfer so he was scared that he was gonna be lazy haha.

Since Wednesday was P day we went to the John Deere Pavilion again! That's a cool place! Then we balled a little but we had a lot of guys that like to play board games so that was really boring.

Thursday Elder Fox and I went on Exchanges while our companions got transferred. Then we got our companions and went to lunch. I let Elder Frew get unpacked while I cleaned the apartment, then we headed out. We taught our Investigator Dawn, she is in her 60s and is pretty cool. She’s interested and even kept our commitment of reading the Introduction to the Book of Mormon. She said she will be at church this week. We’re gonna try and get a member out with us to teach her so she can have friends other than us. Also on Thursday Tom Parsons our Recent Convert called and said he is resigning from the church. He left all the books and pamphlets at the church with a letter to Bishop Johnson, I couldn't believe it! But after talking to him on the phone and visiting him, all he told us is that he thought we were taking things too fast and he was stressing to much and it’s bad for his health. I thought for sure he told his Methodist pastor or something, which we have encouraged him to do but he hasn't. He has been working on getting the Priesthood and the Priesthood in our church is a lot different in others. Because they have to go to schooling to get it and we believe it’s for any male member worthy of it. But Bishop went and talked to him and he told us he was stressing about some misdeeds he had done in his life. So they cleared all that up and Tom took back his books and said he will come to church. So that's good!

Friday was a pretty normal day, just working on finding new investigators. We also got to play some street ball with a bunch of guys. It was a lot of fun, even though they tried playing dirty, I still danced on them and broke some ankles. lolol

Saturday we had D meet and on the way home we got in a crash! We were parked at a red light and truck flew into the car that was parked behind us, causing them to fly into the back of us. No one was hurt, our car wasn't even hurt to bad.

Levi Hamby is leaving on his mission. He is in our ward here, he is a great young kid and is serving in the Las Vegas West Mission. He gave a great Farewell talk, and he will make a great missionary!

Well it’s been a great week! The work has been slow but we’re working hard on working with members more so hopefully we can get some solid referrals this week and find a ton of new investigators! I love you all and have a great week!

Love, Elder Anderson

Elder Frew

Hot & Sweaty!

Transfers are this week! We find out tomorrow. I hope I stay! Tuesday we did service at the Food Pantry again. After that we took studies at the Library out there in Geneseo, then we stayed all day out in Geneseo working. We went to Subway for lunch, we walked in and a guy was like "Wow I just ran into the Elders!" At first we thought he was gonna yell at us or something like some of the mean people we meet out here that hate us. But nope, He said "I’m Bro Swan from Michigan!" Long story short he bought us lunch and we talked for a little while and he is a truck driver that was just passing through. Super cool and a Miracle cause I'm broke! haha That night we had Dinner with our ward mission leader. Afterwards we went and balled at the church for the Wards Tuesday night ball.

Wednesday it was really hot and we were knocking on doors most of the day! I was drenched in sweat all day long, it was bad! But I found an address in my planner and I didn't know what it was, but we went and tried by and the guy wasn't really interested and we were in a sketchy part of town. But after him we decided to knock some of the small apartments by his apartment. We got a few new investigators right off the bat! Then we knocked on a door and the lady was not interested but I offered her a mormon.org card even tho she said "Sure idk what I would do with it" haha. But then her son came out and started talking to us and he said he would come to church. He's Handicapped but he said he would bring his uncle too. So we told him to go get the card from his mom and it has the address on it. So we walked away but then he came running back and told us his mom ripped it up so he needed a new one. We gave it to him and he told us his mom practices Whichen. They do Spells and curses or something like that. He said he has been mistreated most of his life, but he loves Jesus. Then we were sitting in Sunday School and no one came to church even tho so many people said they would! But someone came in and grabbed us and said our Investigators showed up! So we went out and it was him, Daniel and his Uncle Lee! His Uncle is pretty cool, we were able to teach them the Restoration at church and it was awesome!

Then back up to Thursday when half the mission met in Iowa City for a meeting with Elder Keach of the 70. It was awesome and he taught some great things and did mostly a Q and A so that was cool!  

Friday we helped an Investigator from another missionaries area move into our area. We assumed she was just using the missionaries for help because she doesn't seem interested but it was good!

Saturday we spent time going by less actives and members and knocking around their houses. This week was kind of a long one, its getting hot out and the work is rough, but it just makes the success so much better! We were able to find 7 new investigators so I hope we can start working with them this week.

This morning I read in Ether when the Brother of Jared talks to the Lord and instructs him on building the barges, I can't imagine the faith he had. I know that as we strive to strengthen our faith and our testimonies we can be closer to the Lord. I have seen it help me in the work recently as I study the Savior and His life. I encourage you all to do the same and you will be happier! I love you all and God is good!

Love, Elder Anderson

Said goodbye to Elder Anitok, he goes home to Hawaii on Friday!

Blur

Hello everyone! These weeks go by so fast that they’re just blurs! Good thing I write in my journal or else I wouldn't remember anything! Nothing to exciting this week, just normal things happening, lots of knocking and lots of lessons.

Tuesday was normal we went out to Geneseo and did service. I forgot the phone so we couldn't stay out there all day so we came back and worked in East Moline.

Wednesday we had a great day we met with Lee, he just graduated high school and is from Taiwan. He is really cool and loves it when we come over. He hasn't come to church yet but we are working on that. We found 3 new investigators that day, some were super cool people. I hope we can meet with them more this week. None of them made it to church though, but hopefully after we meet with them more they will be more comfortable.

Thursday we had exchanges and they were out of our area. I went with Elder Jenkins and he goes home in a week and a half! He’s from Rexburg, Idaho. It was a fun exchange.  

Friday was good and that evening we went back and talked to Ed, the guy that flagged us down on the street last week. We had dinner with him and then we asked him if he had been reading out of the Book of Mormon. He said no, but he did some research. Which means he got into a ton of anti mormon stuff and he showed us some of it. It was just crazy! haha we tried to clear it up the best we could. But we figured that since he is old and very lonely, that’s the only reason he wanted to talk. We might go by again in a few weeks.

Saturday we helped a lady in the ward move and that went good. We were able to meet with some cool people. We knocked on a former Investigators door and he is super cool and gave us ties. Sundays are always great! I love going and refueling my spirit! We have an awesome Sunday school teacher who always teaches great lessons, usually some great doctrine. Sometimes people almost start arguing haha its pretty cool tho. It’s always a great discussion!

Well I hope you all have an awesome week! Things are going great out here! Choose the Right and study the scriptures! God loves you!

Love,

Elder Anderson

P.S: I was on T.V. the other week for the big service project, pretty sweet! That's the second time on my mission, I guess you could say I'm Famous!

Happy Birthday to me! Sweet 19!

My new haircut

The Mississippi River

Driving fun =)

Sites from around town

7 Months Down!

Monday night we had a BBQ with some members and witnessed a motorcycle accident. The Motorcycle flew into the side of a truck that ran a stop sign. He was on a 2013 Honda Crf250r Enduro no helmet, short sleeves, and shorts. Haha not to smart, but he was ok and it wasn't too bad, he may have broken his leg. Then the guy that ran the stop sign was high and had weed so he got arrested.  

Tuesday we did service at the Food Pantry and spent the rest of the day working in Geneseo. Geneseo is a half hour a way so it’s good to get out there. We did find a new investigator so that was sweet. Wednesday we had District meeting, it went well. Then we went to Pizza Ranch and had some great food. It’s just like Pizza Pie Cafe but they have an Ice Cream machine. After that we helped Sis. Hirst plant some flowers, then she took us out to Whitey’s!  I love Whitey’s! Then we helped Bro. Penfold with his home teaching, and that’s always fun.

Thursday we had exchanges with the Zone Leaders in their area, it was a good time and we found some new investigators. Friday we weekly planned and were finally able to get out and talk to our investigators and go knocking.

Saturday we did service for a Kids Against Hunger service project all day,  it was awesome. I taped the boxes full of food then took them out to the truck all day. hahaha It was fun but I was sweating sooo bad. There was like 1000 people there throughout the day and probably 600 non members so we did it in our proselyting clothes. We set up a table and put BOM’s and pass along cards on it and gave away 7 BOM’s so that was cool.

We didn't get anyone to church yesterday. Had some close calls, we will work on them this week.  

Have a great week everyone!

Love Elder Anderson

No pictures again, sorry next week.

19!

Thank you everyone for all the Birthday wishes! I had a great Birthday. We went on exchanges and I was able to go with Elder Fox. I served around him in my last area, so we had a great time. I bought a big Ice Cream Dairy Queen Cake, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup!  Ahaha Oh man I gained a few pounds from that! It was so good tho! I will send some pictures!

This week we have been working with a lot of people but none of them came to church, we had so many say they would be there. I even talked to one on the phone right before church and they said they would come but never showed. It was sad.

This week we did some service at the food pantry and helped a non member build a retaining wall. We also had Interviews with the Mission President. It’s always great seeing him, he is a great guy! He took us out to lunch after so that was fun!I Also played some more street ball and told them that if I win they have to come to church, I won but none of them came to church.

We had dinner with the Stake President, he is the CEO of Genesis, he has a super nice house. They also gave us a huge Chocolate cake from Costco. It was sooo good. Then we knocked some houses in their neighborhood and it was cool, I love knocking mansions. haha The Mansions and the Ghetto are the best! I’m out of time this week, I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love, Elder Anderson

I will send pictures next week.

Where Are the Solid People At?

This week we was pretty normal, nothing too crazy happened. Tuesday we went and did service at the Food Pantry in Geneseo then spent the rest of the day out there knocking and trying by Less Actives. We met some cool people.  

Wednesday we had District meeting and that's always fun, the District is awesome. Then there was a big storm, super windy, cloudy, cold, and raining. And of course we didn't have anything to do so we went knocking haha. Everyone was telling us " Were heading for the basement" or " we’re in the basement what do you want?" haha crazy stuff, it was raining so hard. It's always fun in the rain though, sometimes, haha.

Most of the week was spent knocking and trying by people. We dropped a lot of investigators this week because so many aren't progressing and aren't willing to act. So we’re hoping to get more people soon. Trying to find the solid people! Saturday was the day we try'ed by a ton of people and ended up dropping most of them. Then we played some street ball with a ton of kids and it was way fun. I have made a lot of friends from playing street ball. Hopefully some will start coming to church. We talked to Alique this week and he said he would come to church with his mom. So we were excited, but they didn't show up. Good week tho!  Have an awesome week everyone!

Love, Elder Anderson

Transfers!

This week was transfers, I am staying and my Companion Elder Obray left to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I got Elder Olsen on Thursday! He is from Saratoga Springs, Utah and has been on his mission for a year! He is pretty awkward and quiet but that's okay, we will work hard together and hopefully see success!

Tuesday we got our transfer doctrine and then went to the Geneseo food pantry. We’re gonna start doing service there. On our way home we picked up a sick mini pool table that was on the side of the road for garbage, it’s also got air hockey, foosball, chess, etc. So we took it home! Its sick! haha Then Elder Obray spent some time saying goodbye to people and started packing.

Wednesday was P day so we went to the John Deere Museum! It was pretty sweet. Just a bunch of sweet tractors! Then we played a lot of ball and what not. Thursday we dropped off Elder Obray and picked up Elder Olsen! Elder Olsen and I hit the streets right off the bat and found some new Investigators. This week is gonna be a lot of knocking. I wanna get a ton of new investigators because all of ours are falling off, so I wanna get a ton of people to work with this transfer and hopefully see some success at the end! We will see how it goes.

It was so nice being able to skype home yesterday!! Always very bitter sweet! haha but I’m grateful for it! I love you all and hope you all have a great week!

Love, Elder Anderson

John Deere Museum

Goodbye Elder Obray

Hello Elder Olsen!

Mothers Day Chat with the Family!

6 Months Down!!

Hit 6 months this week! Crazy, time is flying! This week was good, Tuesday we went on exchanges in our area. The Zone leaders were gonna come to our area but then one of them got called to be AP (Assistant to the President) so only one of the Zone leaders came down and another Elder that is in a Trio. I went with Elder Baxter the Zone leader and we found 4 new Investigators. Hopefully they will stick around and we can help them progress.

Really not too much happened this week. A lot of our Investigators are falling off the deep end. This week we’re gonna try to start fresh, but still keep a couple of the Investigators we have. Were gonna work hard to find those solid Investigators. This week is transfers so we’re hoping we both stay.

Saturday night we did run into some really funny guys, they were having a small house party and they were drinking and smoking. One guy came out and tried to be funny and said "What are you guys selling today?" But then another guy came out and was like go inside guys and he pulled us a side and we both thought he was gonna cuss us out, but he said " I wanna compliment you guys, I know this isn't easy work"  and he went on and on that and it was awesome. They were all holding a beer and smoking but they were cool haha. They were just a bunch of young guys that seemed to have a lot of money. They were super funny and they really liked us.

Oh ya and we went to Whiteys twice this week. Whiteys Ice cream out here is amazing, it is soooo good! We also played some street ball with a bunch of guys and invited them all to come out and play at the church on Tuesday nights. Hopefully they show, we normally get some good competition there. That's about it for this week! I hope you all have an awesome week!

Love, Elder Anderson

Whiteys ice cream