Hey family!

Well today was kinda a bummer opening up the mailbox and finding something for each one of the member in my district and nothing for me hahaha no its cool also no emails except from karen.. hmm.. is anyone alive? thats fine though I know your probably busy. So ya I was made distrcit leader on sunday and ive had some really awesome experiences. There is an elder who was born in the Philipians in my district who is 5 foot tall. He is awesome. His name is Elder Santos and he grew up in philipians for 9 years and then moved to america and lives in idaho now. so I thought tim would like that. He speaks tagolog and I want tim to remember if he remembers any. Anyways so he is like super shy and has alot of self esteem problems. So ya I just kinda started talking to him and definatly had the spirit work through me and I dont really even remember really what I said but just that he is an awesome missionary and that the things he thinks are weaknesses of his are really strengths and he lite up and like i dunno i felt so awesome I guess it was like my first real time I felt like I really brought someone closer to christ. We actually have been getting alot of time together because his companion elder johnson was made zone leader cuz he was just disctrict leader and my comp elder dunford is also zone leader. wierd right? I just assumed they always go in companions but ya Im district leader now and its good learning experience. I think the biggest thing alot of missionaries here suffer from is self confidence. and its hard I dont blame them but if we truly have faith then its like Ether 12 27 we can turn those weak things into strengths.I have found that out first hand here. I have a new motto I guess you can say I dunno we had a good devotional the other night and it was on agency and how we get to choose our own desires, we get to choose how we react, and I cant remember the last one right now i think it was like choose to act I dunno. but its amazing because if we have a positive attitude it makes the world of difference. even when things aren't going the way we want them to its fine because the lord is going to take care of it. I had a really aweome experience yesterday we do this thing we call district teach.. our district kinda made it up so during our MDT or missionary directed time on thursdays we teach eachother something. anyways me and my comp were talking on humility and we shared the scripture from D&C 67 10 i think. anyawys its so amazing to me and just read it and finish the section theres like 4 verses after it. I loved it so much and then I just went off on a tangent and like talked about how the revelations given in the D&C apply to us as well. That scripture promises us that if we are doing whats right and have patience and humility and other stuff we will literally be able to see our savior Jesus Christ. have you ever thought about that?? ya I know we are definalty imperfect and whatnot but by changing our attitude how easy is it really to just stop doing somthing wrong or change your behavior its as easy as snapping your fingers if you reawlly think about it. ya we may have addictions or we may struggle whilst trying but dont you think the saviour is going to help us if we are honstly putting forth all the effort we can to change and become more like him? I kinda spoke way bold and the spirit was definalty talking through me. It came out of no where and seriously I was like this is true. I asked my missionaries in my district if they really believe they can see our saviour jesus christ. Do you believe you can? or do you just believe its possible if your super righteous. How do you think the apostles got where they are today? did the prophet jsut randomly call someone and say he wanna be a member of the quorum of the 70 of the 12? I dont think so.. I really truly believe those men understood the scriptures and had that literal change in heart and no more disposition to do evil. Again how easy is it really to just do what is right? like I think mom or dad said in one of the letters. It is so much more easier to be 100% obediant than 98% obediant. I dunno take if for what you may but I truly believe that if I put forth ever effort I have and constaly seek to become more like our saviour jesus christ and rid myself not only of impurities whether thoughts actions or deeds and even putting asided things that may not be bad but just waste time I really think we can come closer to our saviour and like the scripture promises we will behold Jesus Christ. You may be wondering what little things am I doing.. if you are change them The BIGGEST thing I would change starting right now is your attitude. WE CHOOSE to be offened, how we react how we treat others, how we think how we talk how we present ourselves. If we really understand the gift of agency our father in heaven has given us we wouldn't be doing half the things or think half the things we do. Push them out of your mind. It takes practice im practicing everyday. Its hard but so so so worth it. you will be able to recognize the spirit so much more. Be able to be closer to it and be an instrument in His hands. Oh I just remembered that experiece I had with elder santos is because I bought a notebook and at night before I go to bed I just think of way s I can be an instrument and thoughts or impressions that come I tried writing them down and I thought about elder santos and how I could help him and thoughts came and I wrote them down and used them the next day to bring him closer to christ. The gospel is seriously so so simple. Ya its hard but not really if you turly understand the docterine. True doctrine understood changes behaviour faster that the study of behaviour changes behaviour. It is so true. Think about it this week. today even. Make rememinders to help you do it each day. I promise that if you do this things you will feel an added measure of the spirit that you have never before felt. I think dad is such a good example of this because my whole life I think ive seen him "Choose to get mad" like twice and it was like do you want a hair raising experience? hahaha ya I just think its awesome. Serving others is so amazing to me and it truly allows us to come closer to Christ. Mom can you let me teach seminary when I come back if you still teach? I wanna lay down the law with those kids. Man I was so stupid before I came out here. Totally took everything I have for granted. especially the scriptures. They are like amazing!! Anyways. Merry Christmas I hope I get a present this year. The other elders already have a chirstmas tree and lots of goodies! I got hilarys stocking and that was sweet!! and also Grandma brown sent me some wierd squares. ya I dunno about those. Im not into the homeade stuff.. ill probably eat them tho.

Love

Elder Anderson

P.S. forward to whoever. Kelsey too since I cant email anyone but family I read it in our binder of stuff. 100% obediance is easier than 98% Ill write her today! tell her taht! and that I got her long letter on the wierd paper and I loved it and she is such an amazing girl! thanks! xx