WOW!!!

Wow! Can you believe that! haha! I have been accepted. That is awesome! Thanks much for the surprise. AND you know what else I love to read, is that you were able to have your first English lesson...way to GO! It always is a joy to serve. Does it not just feel relieving? That is one thing that I love about the gospel is that it brings peace. :) But I know that this is nothing new to you both, you have always been able to bless lives. 

Peace. It is so HARD to find the very substance that brings peace into this life from such a world of ongoing everything. But...it all starts with faith, then we repent, everyday of our own imperfection. As we do so, we should never lose the hope that comes with faith, and as we hope for greater things, we continue to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ...we are baptized. What happens next? WE receive a gift, one of the most important...and it is directly from Heaven, the Holy Ghost, the spirit of God. Now it is your turn to bless others lives as you strive to partake of that same process over and over and over again, until you become a God. You have found peace, and so has everybody else, we must be in the Celestial Kingdom...together. =) Yes, perfection. 

That is what has been going through my mind and stirring within my own heart, this week and many weeks past. But for this day, I can say that I am blessed. I have the love of Jesus Christ in my life, and I get to help others grasp on and own that for themselves as well. We have done that. These last few days since we talked, we were able to help others use their agency within their own lives to receive the blessings of the Gospel. That is what it is all about. 

We have two wonderful Children of God that have baptism dates right now. They are really really prepared from on high. They come to church, they do all that we ask them to do, they participate in the classes at church, and they share the gospel WITH their friends! Aahh, it is amazing. They will be powerful assets to the branch. For the rest of those 12 that we had really planned for, we are working hard to help them progress. Some have decided that the church of Jesus Christ is not for them right now in their lives, but I am sure that their time will come...it always does. It seems like we have such short time to be here with them, and yet, I know that with the Lords help, all things are possible to achieve, if it be His will. One of the Hard learned lessons that I get to work on everyday, is...is it His will or mine? Those are just some words to eat in your "Food for thought" moments. WELL, I guess this one is about over for today, but, just some things that I am a part of and thinking about at all times, and I am also thinking about you. I hope that you continue joyfully on this grand journey in life, and i know that our Heavenly Father will continue to BLESS you. It is that "one eternal round". Alright, Good Night!

Much Love

Elder Andreasen

Blessings will ALWAYS come!

HI. What a beautiful day. The sun is shining here and the dust is blowing, and it awesome! I Just want to say HAPPY FATHERS DAY, belated one day. Dad I love you, and it is good to hear that you were taken care of by that wonderful wife of yours who I call Mom. I am so happy that even Skyler and you were able to go and fish like men! ahaha. Did you catch anything? Ah, what am I talkin, of course you did! How could you not when you go with the experts. =)

Yesterday, as we were riding in the matatu, they were listening to the radio station, and there was a talk show going on. What I heard really touched my heart. They were giving time for all of these people to call in and wish there dads a Happy Fathers Day, and there were some accounts where some of these people just had all of these good things to say about their Fathers, or mothers for some of those that did not have fathers. It just made me think about how special it is that we have the opportunity on this earth to have such wonderful men in our lives, and just to have this beautiful family that loves us, and that we can love back. I was really thinking a lot about each one of you yesterday, and how much I really do love and appreciate you. I am so glad that my loving and perfect Father who is in Heaven, sent me to such a caring and supportive family that I can be with together, in the gospel, for all of eternity...that is what it is about. Those were and are just some of my thoughts. 

Yesterday, I was writing in my journal, and just thinking through the week about what has gone on, and what we have been able to get done in the Lords service, and all I could write was simply just how grateful I am about everything. I think that on the times that I do actually write in my journal, that is all I can write, and my testimony. This whole week, that is also something that I have really tried to focus on, gratitude. I was saying a few weeks ago that what I wanted the most was to be more loving like my Savior Jesus Christ, and be able to show charity as He did. I found that as I strove to gain such, I was becoming filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for all that God my Father in Heaven has given unto me, unto our family, and just to those that I have been able to meet through my life. I want to continue to love as He did, and I know that as I do, I will be able to become less selfish and become more selfless. What a change of heart I continue to desire for. I think that affects all other aspects of my life, and the work. Hand in hand with all of the other attributes of our Savior Jesus Christ, I know that I will be able to accomplish the tasks and the change that I continue to desire. This life is about continuing and making the best of every bit that is given to us. See the light, and follow it. 

This week has been full of great moments and also of some disappointments. We only were able to extend about 3 of the 12 Baptism Dates that we had planned sincerely to accomplish. It hurt to see these friends of ours not progress, and it was frustrating, but those that we did have the opportunity to share with, and extend, we found really were prepared, and ready for the Gospel message in their life, ready to act. Those others will still be ready, but we will let God also do His part, the part that we cannot even come close to playing. Yesterday at church we had one of our friends that we have been teaching for some time, and other missionaries had been teaching for some time, come to church. Her name is Catherine. It has been about two years that she has been trying to understand this message more fully. WELL, she just wanted some time to meet us. She is in her thirties, and she has a daughter. She is single, and she is really a great person. She does all she can to just follow the Bible and what it teaches, she knows all of the churches around, and let’s just say, she is ready for the True, Full Gospel message. It seems that as of late she has really been having some challenges in her life that have changed the direction of her thoughts. She has taken in the daughter of another broken family around, and that makes two daughters now that she is providing for. She was asking for advice from us....and we again extended baptism...and she almost fully accepted, but something is holding her back. She sees that so many of the things within the Church are right, but she needs to know that it is truly the Church of Jesus Christ Himself, and not just any other church out there. I love that I got that specific chance to testify to her of what I know to be true, and see her being overwhelmed with the spirit. It was amazing, and I just know that she will be baptized. She told me she wants to be baptized before I leave...so CROSS FINGERS!....and of course we will continue to pray. I would encourage that all who ever needs a direct answer from God, just to pray to Him, and listen with full intent. It works. It is true. Enjoy your week! Love you.

Elder Andreasen

I believe I can fly!....I believe I can touch the sky....

Well thanks for calling me magnificent, you are just TOO KIND! I don't know how magnificent I am, but I truly just try to be like the Savior.  I love you too, thanks. I can't even imagine how time does even fly.These are my last moments in this beautiful place, with these extraordinary people. I can't even believe...the time is coming...to fly. I don't know what I feel. Everything.

That is so great to hear of how well you are carrying on that side. I am sorry to hear about the cherries. Haha those birds are happier though right? AH! BIRDS. I can't even imagine what you two are experiencing as you are serving those wonderful people there in Spanish. That is SO sweet that you get to teach them English as well! I am continually proud of you. =D 

This week, here in this amazing and positive place, we were able to yet again see the continual blessings and fruits of the hand of the Lord in our lives. It is so powerfully great that we have the opportunity to be apart of the great gathering. I am inspired everyday to do my best, and just become better than I am. I Know that it is only with the help of the Lord that I can make that possible. WE are expecting hopefully to give out some 11-12 baptism dates this next week to those that we (with the help of Heavenly Father) have seen are being prepared from on high. Very excited and anxious to see what is in store. I would love to see each one of them get baptized...even if I won't be around to see it happen, I love them, each one, and want them to see their lives prosper in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have worked hard, and had some great experiences with the members. I love it, because we have the chance to help prepare some two potential Elders that are about to submit their papers to serve a mission. It is great to hear them bearing their testimonies of the divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ, and see them as this great help and connector to these sons and daughters of God. 

There is one experience that I want to share quick. We were visiting a very less-active member of the church. She is the sister to one of these branch missionaries that we have been working with. She is pretty young...about 23 or so, and she grew up in the church. Well, about the time that she hit her teens, she dropped out of school, and because of the bad influences around her, she became apart of the world, doing worldly things...use your imagination. We knocked on her door, and she welcomed us into her apartment for the second time in two weeks. She was so happy to see us, and even she brought two other friends. IMAGINE THAT! We started, and got to know each one of them a little better. We shared a nice scripture which is found in 1 John 4: 7-9, and then it started. We grabbed their interest. We talked of knowing God, of prayer and that specific relationship with HIM who is our Creator. We went from talking prayer to Plan of Salvation, from Plan to Restoration, and BAM blessing of the spirit came. Brod, one of the friends, brought up that he had grown up in a confusing home, and that he just did not know which way to go. And I was like, in my mind "talk about Joseph Smith right!", and we brought it forth. We were there for an hour and a half, and were piled with questions, and concerns, and we were able to answer...well, God was able to answer. Blessed yes? Yes! We are to meet them again this Thursday, and I am looking forward to all of that again. The sister who is less-active, Bridgitt, is really learning even for herself that these things are true. She is SO excited to speak out the Gospel to her friends, and even have taught them how to pray. Yea. Missionary work. It is Awesome! 

Alright. Thanks, and love you much. Hope that you have a fantastalistic day and week, and hope that you even find the spirit guiding you each and everyday to bring amazing experiences that build your testimony and someone else's. Keep the Joy within.

Elder Andreasen

The End is Just The Beginning

HI! This is Elder Andreasen. What a beautiful day right? I think very much so. I just wanted to write and tell you first thing that I do love each of you, and that you simply just make me smile. You, my family, are my joy. I am still here in Kenya, and specifically I am still staying in Athi River. What a blessing that is! It was so good to hear that you are just doing well in that place of yours, though I haven't heard from Skyler for some time, so I don't know about ALL of you.  That is great that you were able to attend that ward of yours, and meet the wonderful people. It sounds like a full challenge ahead, and that is awesome. Jesus Christ never asked us to do anything easy, but He did ask us to do that which is simple...the Gospel.

Actually yesterday in Church, we talked a lot about challenges. I wrote something down in my planner that really stuck out to me. It says "There is no next step without a challenge". Isn't that so true. We are here on this Earth to be tried and tested so that we can experience. That is how much God loves us. He allows us to gain His own glory, which is intelligence. We even talked yesterday that the one time that we should always celebrate, is not just after the big bowl game or after you have won the BINGO nationals Las Vegas...IT is when we overcome a GREAT BIG challenge, that is when we joy. There is always great success when we take time to acknowledge our perfectly loving creator and give thanks for what He has done for us. He ALWAYS will show His grace. He is waiting and willing to help us, and it is the best when we see that He does. I have seen his hand deeply within my own life as i have been here. I have grown, and become more of what He expects me to be, but I still have a long way to go before I can say that I am perfect like my Savior Jesus Christ. SO, take joy in every obstacle that comes your way, and there will be blessings that are shown, that is what I have been shown. =D

I think that the best thing that we can do while we are here on this Earth, is just love. Love everyone and everything that is from God. When we love, we will be able to accept into our lives all of the other Christlike attributes, and become as HE is. Just love, and that brings peace. Just love and that brings a smile. Where do you find Peace? I find it in Him. That is the true result of the truth. I will work harder than ever to love more like Jesus Christ this next week...will you? That is a commitment.

Enjoy, love you and keep smiling!

Elder Andreasen

Aaaahh! couch sitting...hahaha

Hi Family. I am so sorry for this late e-mail. I know I probably deserve a smack on the bum, but I at least will send this so you know still that I love you, and am thinking about you.

I just wanted to comment, mom and dad, on that beautiful picture that you sent me of both of you with missionary nametags. Did you know it brought tears to my eyes? I didn't cry, but I was so excited for you and so proud of you. I just thank you, and wish and pray the best for you in your efforts to serve in this amazing vineyard. Wow, can imagine the blessings you are bringing, to you and to those around you? And you must have really perfected that Spanish a lot! Haha, that is so amazing.

I love you and all of the family, and hope for your great success. I pray for you daily. I will update you more on Monday, or another day next week. It is transfers on Monday. Can you believe then I will be left with six more weeks of this full-time service to God!!! Oh man, that also starts to bring tears to my eyes, but I have great excitement at the same time. I just don't know, but God does, and that is what counts. Ok! Nice time.

Elder Andreasen

P.S. Ether 12:27 and 37. It never gets old. GOOD LUCK!