Nice Time!!

Time seriously does fly! It is crazy how fast it is going, and This week is already gone! But the best part of it is, sO much can happen in one week. So many experiences are covering the days, and that is what makes it just go SO fast. Everyday we get to close for our day, and I seriously get to see how much the Lord has been able to help us, and now it is just normal.

The week has ended so nicely also. We were able to go on exchanges. And it was Super nice because, I was able to go into one of my previous areas of work, and see some of the members, and old investigators that I was teaching. It was awesome, and really a spiritual experience. It also was nice, because even I was able to meet new people over there, and gain a love and appreciation for them. The area is still just doing well. There are going to be so many nice improvements in the future. There is a HUGE push for there to be a stake here, because it has been a district for 22 years now. They are thinking of maybe combining some of the small branches around, to be together. It will help a lot with the priesthood and home teaching and visiting teaching. Eventually this year throughout Kenya, there will be about 3 stakes at least if not four, and can work towards that goal of having a temple here. I would hope that would happen. If it did, I would definitely come back and go through. =D

Yesterday we had a nice experience. This sister that is investigating the church, and it was nice to see her gaining the knowledge that we are not devil worshipers, or Illuminati, and to see her being touched by the spirit. She was able to speak to the branch president, and he was able to answer some questions, and testify of his experience of going to the temple with his family. She says that she is really thinking about   

That is about it for this week again. We are happy with the weather, even though it is SO HOT. We are getting all of the maze from the fields, and we are just eating SO many beans! Also, when we go to most of the members places, they have wild blackberry trees around. They don't use the berries for anything, so we EAT. Ni tamu kabisa. Alright. Well, I love you, and hope that you have a nice day, a wonderful week, and may the spirit guide you all throughout.

Elder Andreasen

Sorry So Late!!

HeY you great and wonderful people, who are my loved ones. I love you. It is good to be able to hear what has been happening in life this past week! I look forward to another exciting letter soon. I know that I am writing SO late, and I do apologize for that. Do to some serious network connections here in the bush, this modem has not wanted to work, and so we finally got some time today to write. Wow, and today was so powerful. It is pretty cool to be writing to you in the middle of the week on a day that we have been proselyting

We were actually able to give someone a tour of the chapel today, and were able to explain to them about the sacrament, and about everything that goes on in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was such a nice experience and really we felt the spirit and know that she felt the spirit as well. She is really thinking of being baptized in the only true church of Jesus Christ on this earth, so we are really trying to help her gain a sincere testimony about the Gospel. This week has really just been so nice. It has been spiritual, and we have seen the Lord helping both of us. As we teach and testify of this true Gospel, we see that the hearts of the people are being softened and we even see that trust has been built. This has made it possible for our missionary efforts to go forward with greater power. We had one of our families of the Branch President just get back from going to the South African Temple. They are like another family here to us, and we LOVE them so much and are just super excited for them! He was just newly called as a branch president, and what a blessing it has been to see his efforts in striving to love the members and set a powerful example. He really knows what he has been called to do. Our other branch is also progressing as well a lot. We have really been focusing on trying to help out the leadership and love them and just make sure that things are being done according to the guidelines that have been given. We are working now to learn how to council together with everyone we talk with.

This has been inspired by a book that we have been given to read called Counseling with our Councils. It has been a really good help with learning how to become better leaders. They have this huge goal of this mission to progress. They just put out the new mission plan for this year, and if we all take it seriously, there will be some awesome improvements in the areas. I Love this gospel, and have a growing testimony of Gods divine plan and purpose for His children. These are things I know, and will cherish for the rest of my life, and even in the life to come. I hope you have a powerful rest of the week, and may God be with you and protect you.

Elder Andreasen

Bring Peace 1/12/15

HI! Good Morning! Much love and stuff to you. Good to hear from a you. And your just great it sounds. I also am great! Life is just great yea?

I am still here and I am still a missionary. Things are really GOOD. They are just going on well. We are feeling the spirit, and continuing the Lords work. I am reading my scriptures and praying…A lot. We are being blessed by the association of the beautiful people here every day. WE love this Gospel of Jesus Christ. The truth will always go forth and forward; it will prevail! I will always share the Gospel because I know that it is true. (Romans 1:16) I will always allow the Lord to direct my paths because He will do it better than I can do it alone.  Go on and go forth this week, to do the Lords work. I love you so much, and so does our Heavenly Father. This is my  message to you this week. Keep smiling with a great love and fantastic Joy of this life!

Elder Andreasen

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!

HEY! I am SO sorry for the delay! It HAS been some time since one of these letters has actually been able to go through. I finally am able to write, and am just happy to do so! It was really super great to talk to you and to hear your voices, and just see how life is moving on back there. I will admit, it is always just a little weird for me to have to talk to my family through the phone...but I am grateful for that every minute that I get to. I am excited to tell you of some of the things that have been happening these past two weeks. It is really good to know that things are settled back down in the old home. Has it snowed much more there?

As the dust has been settling there, it has been arising around here in the land of Chyulu. It has become hot and dusty and things are starting to turn yellow. It took quite the toll on the fields that were planted, but it is normal to these wonderful people. They have such a sense of dedication to their shambas, and a love for gardening! We, in all of this heat, have truly seen beautiful things happening as our efforts have continued this past while. In one of our branches, less-actives have just been coming back in full. It is an answer, and a miracle to so many prayers. We are seeing that since their presidency has been changed up, people come back to see "how things are going" and we are meeting more and more. Everyone had a wonderful spirit from the holidays, and are also giving church a shot this next year. It is a resolution for many to follow Christ better.  Along with that, I have seen some awesome progress in my speaking and understanding Swahili! It is also a miracle as I and if I keep working to progress it, but if I don't study, I can definitely see a difference. I prayed for the gift of tongues. 

These things about transfers seem to just be there. I am here, and it is week 3 of the transfer, and who knows but God Himself if I will be getting transferred or not. It would be nice to see some change, even if I do stay here, but I would like to go and impact another area as well. We are becoming well known in this area for sure though. It is nice to see fruits of labor. Anyhow, I am just happy to be serving the Lord! It is my favorite thing!  I love you, and wish you the best the rest of this week. Smile big, I know I will! Have a coke!

Love:

Elder Andreasen