Rain + mud + puddles + white shirts and ties = a lot of time scrubbing out stains with a bar of soap

February 20, 2012

Whelp everyone, the deal is that all the computers in Argentina are agran porqueria. So yet again you are left without pictures and only with my poorly written but heartfelt email. This week has been a lot of slogging through rain and mud and ornery people. It is interesting.  Sometimes the people reflect the weather. That was the case this week. Really humid and heavy and hot and then rainy and then more humid. Imagine how the people were....Had a pretty good week though with a lot of little successes and triumphs, nothing huge but things like, almost getting hit by a collective on my bike but not quite. Really simple things like that.

I've realized that I've gotten pretty quiet on the mission. At the start because I had no idea what was going on and didn't understand anything. Now because I've had companions that talk nonstop. Good or bad, depending on my mood. But I've also become a really good listener.  Something good that has come from all this silence is that I'm starting to really understand people. Why the way they are and why they say what they say and why they do what they do. We are all so different and unique but at the same time we all want the same things and in the end just want to be happy. Amazing that all we really want is to be happy.

 There is an awesome scripture in Alma 41:10

Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

The way to find happiness is super simple. I listen to a lot of people that have so many problems and I have the recurring thought, “If we obey the commandments, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. We would have avoided this situation completely." I think the true test of humility is recognizing that God knows best and that when we follow his rules we are happier. But don't trust me! Try it out yourself! :)

Overall, I myself am doing well. I'm weighing in at 70 kilos and I think I might be a little taller too! Happy and healthy. Doing really well and growing a lot. One week and I turn 7 months old in missionary time! So crazy! Time flies!

Love you all. Keep on keepin on,

Elder Cam

YAHOOOOO SAN VICENTE!!!!!

Febr. 13, 2012

Hey everyone!

Another killer hot week in San Vicente. Some highlights would have to be a massive rainstorm that was also a low light. There were a lot of strong winds and most of the houses here are made of Chapa or sheet metal. A lot of houses were destroyed and people were left in pretty helpless situations. For us luckily, it only rained inside our pension from 4 places and we had enough bowls to catch the water.

Another Highlight, I built my very first house this week! It is for one of our investigators. It is AWESOME!!!!!! I can't wait till I figure out how to send photos. You'll love it!!!!! So ya. Put up some fences and built a house this week. No big deal.

It was also a real powerful week for us. We had a lot of good experiences teaching people. I've read a lot in 2 Nephi 1 and 2 in the Book of Mormon this week. It is interesting to me the counsel that Lehi gives to his sons. He talks a lot about the concepts that all our actions have consequences and that keeping the commandments makes us happy. It is true too. In 2 Nephi 2:27

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

 We are free to choose two things liberty and eternal life or captivity and death. That makes everything super black and white. There is no grey in life as much as we want there to be. We can choose what we do, but we can't choose the consequences. We are either growing closer to God or falling away. Climbing or Falling. We can't stay dormant in life. We are climbing or falling. Choose the Right!  ¡Haz Lo Justo! It turns out that we are happier and the life is easier when we play by God's rules and keep his commandments. His rules and commandments are easier to carry than the consequences of sin! Choose the right! Just do it! Life is so much better that way!

I love you all. No pictures...still. Sorry..... I am taking them though and I'll send a ton soon!!!!

Love,

Elder Anderson

So Awesome

Hey Everyone!

Another great week here in my little pueblocito of San Vicente, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The opposite of where all of you are at right now, it is hot and humid and muggy and I'm sweating a ton as I type right now.

I had a really cool spiritual experience this week. For those of you who are not "Mormons" we have a tradition to bless babies with a name after they are born. Names are very important in our religion and so you begin your life with a priesthood ordinance for a "name and a blessing" we say. I had the opportunity this Sunday to bless a week old baby with a name and a blessing. Her name is Sofia, and it was one of the most beautiful and spiritual experiences that I've ever had. Babies come into this word 100% pure and beautiful, without any type of sin. To hold this little girl in my arms and to give her a name and then present her to God and to the people here on the earth was a privilege and incredible experience. It filled me full of love. It was another testimony to me of the truthfulness of this gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ- that little children are pure and that we need to become more childlike. Mind you, there is a grand difference between childish and childlike. Childlike is the goal for us to become submissive and meek to our Heavenly Father- that we put our desires aside and learn to follow Him. I know that as we become more Childlike we will be blessed and we will reach our potential, as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.  As His children, if we are faithful, one day we can inherit all that he has. Think about what that means. WE will inherit all that he has if we become like unto a child and if we keep His commandments and endure to the end. I know God loves us and we are his children. I know that without a doubt.

This week my goal is to become more pure like Sofia. What is your goal?

Love,

Elder Anderson

P.S. ....still no pictures.....sorry. I'm doing really good! Trust me!!!! :)

6 months and the start of a new translado!

Hey all!

Another awesome week in San Vicente. We worked really hard and nearly died of heat stroke. It was so hot and humid this week. Hopefully by the end of this month it will start to cool off. We visited A LOT of people and really saw two big things this week. People stop doing things for two reasons, they are lazy or they get offended. I realized that a lot of people when they ask them why they don't go to church or pray or spend time with their family they say, "I was tired" or "the church is far away" or " it was going to rain and I was going to get wet walking to the church." I've realized nothing bothers me more than people that don't keep BIG COMMITMENTS because "they are tired." Sorry. Had to get that off my chest.  Just a little pet peeve that I have.

Some big changes took place! My companion Elder Cayata is gone and I have a new one from Uruguay! His name is Elder Prantl. He seems like a really good hard worker and we are going to do good things in San Vicente. We are gonna try and make some big changes. It'll be really good. We went to the transfer meeting, or the meeting where all the Elders that are getting new companions or transferring to another area go to meet up and listen to a "pep talk" from President Stapley. All the missionaries that are leaving stand up and give testimony and the theme that comes up everytime found in Mosiah 2:17

 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

It is true. Service is the number one way to cure any personal problem that we have. You want help from God or to improve your circumstances? Go find someone that needs you and do something for them and I can promise that your problem will be resolved or not seem all that big and grave after.

God loves us so much! Look for opportunities to serve him by serving others and you will begin to see just how far his arms reach and how much he does for us day by day. It really is amazing!

Love

Elder Cam

P.S. Sorry no pictures this week. My camera takes pictures fine but when I plug it into the computer it doesn't work to transfer pictures to emails. I'll try and solve that problem soon. Love you and rest assured that I am taking pictures!!!!