December 16: Two is Better than One

Hello!!!

From the sounds of the latest email, I do not believe you have gotten my latest hand-written letter. I sent home a Christmas card that my companions and I put together :) And in the note, I explained that I wouldn't need the boots/coat anymore. Oh well.

I did get the CD from ya Mumma! Thank you!! The funny thing is, it is a Sing-a-long, which means there are no lyrics...but it is nice instrumentals :)

There is so much to tell to yall today!!!

Well let me explain why I didn't need the jacket/boots anymore. We were at a members' house the other night and we were freezing. She was asking us if we had warmer clothes and we explained that we didn't. We returned back to our house for daily planning, when all of a sudden we hear a knock at our door at 9:15 at night. Imagine our surprise and gratitude, when we open the door to see that same member with an armful of jackets, hats, and scarves to give us. She said she went through her closet and found those items and if we wanted them and they fit, we could keep them. The next day she brought over more, including boots, from her mother's closet. It was the sweetest thing. My heart swelled in gratitude. The members here are so incredible. They would literally give you the clothes off their backs if you needed it. I love them.

Which brings me to my next point. I'm leaving.

Right before Christmas! I'm sad because I have grown so close to the people here in Southern Highlands. And we had Christmas Eve and Christmas plans :/

The trio is getting split up and Sister Thornock and Sister Tuia are both staying. They have been so much fun to work with. We've shared many laughs. Ok. I've got to tell you a funny story that happened this past week. So, we have been working with this lady J. She is...unique. I love her, don't get me wrong. But she is different. Whenever we leave, we always say a prayer(s) with her. But she likes to do "rolling prayers" where everyone gets to pray one after the other. Well this particular day, she was feeling very talkative and she prayed for literally 13 minutes straight. (I timed her) At about the half-way mark, Sister Tuia FALLS ASLEEP AND STARTS SNORING! Sister Thornock hits her, to wake her up...and then it takes all that is in us, to not bust out laughing. I think

I probably burst some veins, trying to contain myself. 

Well it hasn't hit me completely yet.  Sister Tuia described leaving your first area is like leaving home for the mission. It really is true. Because I love everyone here so much. It was really sad too, because at church yesterday, a guy we've been teaching found out I was leaving and he started crying. He literally got up out of his chair and left the room. Later, he gave me this little pendant that is dear to him. It broke my heart.

Also my dear sweet Diaz family fed me my last supper. I had the sinking feeling I was leaving this whole transfer, so I made sure to save the last meal on the dinner calendar for them. Bro. Diaz had a work party in California where they were giving away giant gifts and money, but he and the family skipped so they could be there for dinner with me. He said "Why should I worry about getting fed monetarily, when I could be fed spiritually by you sisters??" They are so cool. They even bought a Christmas tree that they wanted us to help decorate. Gah. I'm going to miss them. And Sister Diaz gave me this beautiful ruby ring that she said she has had since she was 20 years old. So I was thinking I would wear the rest of my mission and then one day, if my daughter wants to serve a mission, I could pass it down to her :)

I'm getting double transferred to the Vegas Stake. My new companion will be the lovely Sister Larsen. I don't know a whole lot about her, but we've talked a few times and she is super cute and cool. But because we are getting double transferred we won't know anyone...we'll just be poor little lonely missionaries on Christmas. Haha.
I'm not too worried about it. We are going to be living with a member in her house, so that'll be fun.

I've been packing all this morning and I've accumulated so much rubbish! I have gotten rid of a lot of things, but I still have a TON. A ward member gave me one of their old suitcases. So I now have 3 suitcases. And also some boxes of STUFF. I'm probably going to be mailing some STUFF home to yall soon.

But the crazy thing is, guess who is going to be in my zone?

Elder Hyrum Andelin.

Guess who is going to be my new district leader?

Elder Hyrum Andelin

Guess whose old ward I'm taking over?

Elder Hyrum Andelin

Guess why the sky is blue?

I have no idea.

I'm super duper luper excited to be around him ALL the time. I'm going to bug him ALL day long.

Also, that is why the subject line is what it is---- because "two [Andelins are] better than one."

Well it is bittersweet.

I am ready to move on though and have new experiences. It'll all be good.

And yes, we can Skype or facetime on Christmas day. The calls are supposed to only be 30-45 minutes. I'm not sure what time to call. When would be best for yall? Are yall three hours ahead of me? Maybe I'll call like around 12 or 1 my time?

That is so sweet of Sister Paul to have emailed you. We stopped by her house last night. And we shared our Christmas message and I got all chocked up during it. And then I was crying as I was hugging her and told her that she was my mission mom. She has taken really good care of me here. I'm really gonna miss her a lot. On a happier note, she has a really cool collection of nativity sets from around the world! She has like 50+ nativities! So cool!

Well I love yall.

See ya next week!!!!!

<3 Sister Andelin

These are the glamour shots we had done :)

Mother and daughter love

Christmas "mice" I ate :)

The beautiful ring

December 9: Let it snow?

Christmas season is here!

And I get to see yalls faces in less than 20 days. Weird.

In honor of the Christmas season, my tri-panionship, prepared a special Christmas message. It is really special and spiritual.

So we tell the story and prophecies of Christ's birth, using the Old Testament, New Testament, and Book of Mormon. Sister Tuia only reads from the OT, Sister Thornock reads only from the NT, and I read only from the BoM. It is really powerful, because it shows how the Bible and Book of Mormon support each other and compliment each other.

Here is the outline. You should try it using three separate people (it is more powerful that way)

Old Testament

New Testament

Book of Mormon

Isaiah 7:14

Alma 7:10

Luke 1:31,35

Isaiah 9:6 ; 2 Nephi 19:6 (read together)

Luke 2:11-14

Numbers 24:17

Helaman 14:5-6

Matthew 2:1-2 ; 9-10

3 Nephi 1:21

--Brief Pause--

3 Nephi 9:15-18 ; 21-22

We've had some really cool success with it.

I'm a little bit sad, because I really think I'm leaving this time with this new transfer. I'm a little bummed because it is right before Christmas and I've gotten really close with the people here in my area and we have special plans with some of them. I love them all. I love my companions. I love the area. I love the work. And I realize the work moves forward and that involves change. So I'm not too bummed. It'll all work out how it is supposed to.

We had a really special lesson with two less active members. From the very beginning of the lesson, the spirit was so strong. We were teaching using the pamphlets and I asked K what he saw on the front cover. (It is a picture of Christ tenderly holding a lamb) He answered and said "My brother." It was really cool though, because the spirit was there throughout the entire lesson. I am a little bummed, because during the lesson, I had the random thought "Ask him about the Law of Tithing." But I thought "What in the world? How do I ask him about that?" And I didn't. We committed them to coming to church on Sunday and they came! I was so excited. But what do you think the topic was for the talks on Sacrament meeting? Yup. Tithing. I was bummed and realized I should have just trusted in the spirit.

I've been studying a lot about charity recently. And trying to develop that Christ like attribute. I figured I really need to gain that attribute, especially because the scriptures tell us that if we don't have charity, we are nothing. It can be difficult to love people all the time, unconditionally. Especially when they don't keep their commitments or they flat out reject you. But I've had some very fervent prayers to be filled with that "pure love of Christ" and sometimes I catch a miniscule glimpse of how our Heavenly Father and Savior feel about us. I've had some very sacred moments when I channel that love and can hear Heavenly Father whisper to me "This is my child and I love them." I've been getting better at letting go of anger and hurt and jealousy, all negative feelings, and just relying on charity to fill me up. I am by no means an expert...yet...but I have improved a whole lot in my ability to love.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Andelin

Evidence that Vegas is freezing--literally. It's freezing water--into ice.

December 2: Thanksgiving

This week has been a very good week.

It was kind of odd to not be at home for Thanksgiving, but I guess it isn't my first away from home.

On Thanksgiving Eve, I had exchanges with Sister Rasmussen. Her area is super different from mine, but I loved it. We had the opportunity to meet a part member family who lived in humble circumstances- a mobile home. And I had the  distinct honor of meeting my little friend- Christian. He is a 6 year old who was badly burned in an apartment fire when he was only months old. He has scarring all on his head and arms from multiple surgeries, where they had to graft his skin. And he will continue to have surgeries until he is done growing. They were explaining this to us when we came and he shyly hid his face.

I said "Christian that is so special! That makes you unique! Look at me- I have freckles all over my skin and not that many people have them as much as me!"

I just felt this instant connection with him as soon as I met him.

Later on, he had gotten in trouble and got sent to his room. When we went to teach a brief lesson, I asked his parents if he could join us again. They said "Yes" and proceeded to yell for him to come out. As he walked out, I called him over to me and whispered "Hey, I got you out of your room. You're welcome. Are we best friends now?"

He said "We are friends?" He seemed shocked that we could be.

I said "Of course we're friends!"

I took a picture with him and hugged him. I even started tearing up a little bit when we had to leave, because I realized, I'll probably never see him again. :( It was just such a special moment, because I felt like I knew him---like we had known each other for a very long time.

He taught me a lot in that hour I spent with him. He is a special spirit, housed in a broken body.

I attached a picture that I took with him.

On actual Thanksgiving, we had the annual Turkey Bowl, where all the missionaries in our mission assemble and play flag football, competing zone against zone. This year was the first year they let sisters play--of course, only against sisters. They divided the sisters up into 2 teams. My team lost :( But it was so much fun!

I also went a little crazy, because I nominated myself as head coach over the elders team. (I even had to call all of the companionships and determine that they'd let me be the coach.) And I went to D.I. and threw together an elite coaching outfit. It was complete with aviators, a clipboard, and whistle. One of the elders even wrote me a "pump-up" speech that I gave before they played. It was really fun--I was a little shocked when they actually expected me to determine subs. I wasn't really planning on doing anything, just yelling random nonsense at them. We actually won our first game- I was so proud. Then we lost our second.

So we had t-shirts made for our zone--Spring Mountain. And they even put on the back of mine-- Coach A . So kindly of them.

Hey did I ever tell you that I'm learning Taekwondo?!

Hey- I'm learning Taekwondo!

I broke a piece of plastic in half today...and now I have a lovely bruise on my knuckles.

It's pretty fun---although I'm pretty terrible at every thing else. (But at least I can punch things hard, right?)

Well things are going well here.

Yea, transfers are right before Christmas--on the 16th. I can't believe it's already December!! Where does the time go??

I love you all.

I know that the Atonement is real. The gospel is true.

Love,

Sister Andelin

P.S. 

Thoughts on Thanksgiving.

Alma 34:38  "..and that ye live in ^dthanksgiving daily, for the many ^emercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."

There shouldn't be just one day-- ie Thanksgiving -- where we recognize all that God has done for us. We should live in "Thanksgiving daily" by constantly counting our blessings and being grateful!

-- I got a hair cut! It's just a couple of inches shorter and I have side bangs now :)

-- And I'm so excited for Lindsay and Chris!

Christian and I

The Spring Mountain Zone at Turkey Bowl

The Andelins

The back of the t-shirt

Thanksgiving with the Pauls :)

November 25: Rain, rain, go away... and never come back ever again

From the subject of this letter, you have probably assumed (and if so, you'd be right) that we had rain here in Vegas.

It was kind of odd. It rained for 3 days straight.

Actually, contrary to the subject line, I did indeed enjoy the rain. It was something different.

But no one actually warned me that Vegas does indeed get cold. I have not been very prepared for the cold weather and have been freezing, especially at night. I need to go shopping and get some warm gear.

We've had a pretty interesting week here.

I have learned how to "speak in tongues." Let me explain...we went to our teenage investigator's house and she was skyping her boyfriend. All of a sudden, from the voice beyond (on the computer) we hear "bla-ble-da-bla-bla-blu." We just stand there and pretend like that didn't just happen. To our surprise, she responds back with "ble-bla-blum-de-ba-bu" At that point we have to acknowledge that there is a made-up language going on and take that as our que to leave. We set up a return appointment and then go. We have enjoyed "speaking in tongues" since then. Hahaha. Ble-bla-du-da-de-ba.

We also taught a lady, whose house smelled like weed. We believe it was her 17 year old son who was smoking it, upstairs. I did not know that smell before my mission. Kind of ironic, that I'm learning what it is, on the mission. So hopefully, it did not infiltrate my lungs too much.

Also, we got a referral from a ward member. So we went to her house--turns out she is an ex-Mormon! She was a really nice lady, but she was basically telling us we were going to go to Hell. And that the Bible is 100% accurate and there are no flaws in it. And that the Book of Mormon and the Bible can't go together. And that we believe in a different Christ. I was starting to get frustrated, but I knew I couldn't bash. So we just stood there and listened.

And then I bore my testimony to her and said

"I believe in the Bible as well. I believe the Book of Mormon and the Bible, can go together. And that the Book of Mormon better helps us understand the Bible. I believe in Christ- the same Christ as you. Look at my name-tag- It has Christ's name on it. He is our only hope for salvation." She then went on about some other skewed things.

My companions bore their testimonies and then we thanked her for her time and left. It was just an interesting experience. As we were standing on her doorstep, I was actually overcome with love for her. And sorrow. My heart hurt for her. She has denied the truth. Now twice.

We were at the mission office earlier today. I got to see President Ahlander's office. It was so cool. He gave us some candy as well. Then he proceeded to show us the transfers board and explain how he coordinates it through inspiration. I love that guy. He told us that this mission is getting 17 new sisters next year and 4 of them are Spanish speaking! I told him that I'd love to go Spanish speaking, and he told me to "study up!" So I'm hoping that he'll randomly assign me to be Spanish speaking :)

I love this gospel. I love the simplicity. I love our Savior. I love the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The scriptures are so delicious--I could study all day!

Love ya.

Love,

Sister Andelin

We made S'mores at the Diaz's for dessert

We helped one of our investigators put up and decorate her Christmas tree

November 18: Obedience

Obedience.

Obedience, obedience, obedience.

This is pretty much the most stressed word on a mission. And mind you, I'm pretty obedient. At least I try to be. Am I perfectly, exactly obedient? No. But I'm trying to be obedient.

We got to go to the wonderful temple this past week. It was such an exciting and awesome experience.  So we have to cross over to the Dark Side to get to the temple (the I-15...in the other mission). Anyways on our way back, we were deciding where we should eat lunch. We all thought it'd be fun to eat on the Dark Side, especially because we were already there. So we decide on Zupas. However, I had a feeling that we should not and we should cross back over and eat on our side.

"BUT WE ARE ALREADY ON THE OTHER SIDE," says the devil on my shoulder.

"Yes, but we should go back to the light," says the angel on the other shoulder.

These two kept arguing on either side of me and wouldn't shush up.

The devil won out.

Almost.

I decided Zupas wasn't worth it and we crossed back over and ate at Raising Cane's. I felt a little embarrassed, to be honest, because my companions seemed disappointed in my choice. We enter Cane's and I order some good ol' fa(s)t food. I join my companions at a booth, where they have been talking to this man in the booth next to them. I sit down. He starts talking to me. He is a doctor visiting in town at the local hospital to teach a seminar thingy, his colleagues encouraged him to try Cane's for lunch, because he had never tasted that heaven before.

He finds out we're missionaries and I get the chance to talk to him for a little bit and give him a Book of Mormon and pass along card. He agrees to read it and is excited. But we caught him in a short window of time. I wouldn't have met him if I went to Zupas.

There are miracles for exact obedience.

OK. Next story.

We are going to go check up on one of our investigator families. On our way, we run into Jose. (Name changed, not ethnicity). We have an hour long conversation with Jose outside his garage. He is lost- spiritually. His soul is searching. He opens up and says he has just been recently released from prison (he had been there for 25 years for attempted murder and burglary, etc). It was a really cool conversation. But I ask him

"Jose. Have you been drinking tonight?"

"Yes. I'm not gonna lie, I have been, and I am actually about to go to the bar."

I could tell he was drunk. Not super drunk, because he was still somewhat coherent. But at this point we have given him a Book of Mormon. He is asking all these questions to us and I say

"Jose, you're holding the answer in your hands."

We testify of the Book of Mormon.

I felt prompted to say "I promise you that if you read that book tonight, instead of going to the bar, God will tell you that it's true tonight."

 We try to set up a time to see him. He is getting wimpy on us and says

"I want to change, but I can't."

I say

"Yes you can. Meet with us and we can help you. How about 7 pm tomorrow evening?"

"Aww man. I don't know." He says.

My companions join in about how he needs to commit, etc etc.

"7 pm tomorrow. We'll be here." I say.

"Dang you." (He uses the impolite version at me) He then proceeds to agree with it.

We leave him with a word of prayer and asks me to say it. As I'm praying, he starts sobbing.

He says something about making a grown man cry and says "You're the strong one" out of this group to me.

On our way out, I said

"Jose--- read the book, not the bar."

It was such an interesting experience. I was kind of worried he wouldn't remember anything we had said when he sobered up, but when we talked to him on the phone, he did. And he said that we had left an impression on him and he wants to learn more. I'm excited to start teaching him.

This past week, I've been feeling sick-- some throwing up, sore throat, headaches. All the nasties. So I asked some elders to come over and give me a blessing.

In the blessing, I was told not to worry about my family back home, that all would be well with them. :)

Also, to be patient, and that God has a plan for me.

I've still been struggling with anxiety, but I know that God is there for me and will help me along the way. I also know that part of it, is Satan working on me. I've felt strengthened and buoyed up through all of it and I'm just trusting in God and putting my faith in Him.

I love you!

Love,

Sister Andelin

Watching the cheetah cubs on the big screen

 I am holding a stinking TARANTULA!

The beautiful Las Vegas Temple

Studying outside

The coolest trio ever

November 12: Three Musketeers

OK.

Firstly, I must say that riding bike for 6 weeks was totally worth it. That realization came, when I met with Elder

Hunt, our vehicle coordinator, at transfers and he was dangling a shiny key in front of me.

He said "Sister Andelin, this is a brand-new 2014 Chevy Cruze. You take good care of it and drive safely. You hear me?"

At this point, I'm jumping up and down like a little child.

Heck yes, I will. That baby had less than 200 miles on it when I got it.

Interesting week. Very interesting.

Let me share with yall a little about Sister Tuia. She is pretty awesome. She is half Hawaiian, half Samoan. She is pretty hilarious. And she either knows every Poly we run in to or is related to them. It's pretty handy having her around. She's crazy, but we love her. Poor girl has been sick recently though.

Interesting fact about Polys. They can get away with anything. It's true. I told this to Sister Tuia and she just started laughing and said "Yea, basically." But she can get away with doing things and then the people still love her. It's practically ridiculous :)

Ok.  

Man there is a really cool story I want to share, but I can't tell it with the time that is left. Essentially, we almost gave up on one of our investigators who we'd been trying to reach for a couple of weeks. Come to find out, she was in the hospital during that time. Anyways, we taught her again and she told us that God had answered her prayers and that she knew what we were teaching was true. And that had helped her during her time in the hospital. She had some really cool dreams, too. She told her mom and her mom thought she was kinda crazy, but her mom read Moroni Ch. 10 as well and prayed about it and received an answer. And now the mom wants to meet with us as well.

It was just really cool. And she wants to be baptized next month.

I used to be really worried when people would get baptized really quickly, because maybe they didn't know enough. But in reality-

"People don't join the church because of what they know, they join the church because of how they feel."

It's true. Once you know, you know. And we can work with that.

Also, earlier this week I was feeling kind of discouraged. I had to get something from our car (the 2014 one...which by the way, we need a really good name for it, so I'm open to suggestions). I stepped outside our front door and my foot hit something squishy. I looked down and saw a plate of banana and pumpkin bread. I turned to look at the door and saw it covered in Thanksgiving decorations. The activity day girls had decorated our door and wrote precious things on the cut-out leaves like "You're our favorite missionaries!" "I want to be a missionary like you!" "We love the scriptures!" It was so precious. I was so touched by their act of service towards us. I almost shed a tear. But it came at the perfect time and brightened my spirits. 

The Gladys Knight fireside was really cool! The spirit was so strong there. Remind me to tell you a funny story about it one day. Well actually there are multiple funny stories.

I get to go to the temple tomorrow. I'm pretty excited about that. I love the temple.

I love yall!

Thanks for being awesome.

God is so great. The gospel is true. The Atonement heals.

Love,

Sister Andelin

This was our door after it was decorated

This is our new car! ;) I wish....

November 4

Guess what?!?

Did you guess??

Make a guess!!!!!

OK.

You're probably wrong.

I'm staying with the lovely Sister Thornock in Southern Highlands.

BUT

We are getting another companion and a car back!

Trio.

Yes. I'm going to be in a trio. I'm pretty stoked actually. My new companion's name is Sister Tuia and she came out with me. She is from Hawaii and is Saomoan. She's pretty legit. Basically, it's going to be a party. All the time.

Ok. I have some fun stories for y'all.

This week, a lady in our ward was cleaning her closet and she gave Sis. T and I over 20+ skirts (very cute, mind you) for us to have!!! So I've been having so much fun with my new wardrobe. There were even 2 skirts that were
identical and so Sis. T thought it'd be funny to wear it the same day. (I have a pic of it for ya)

We also had our ward's Trunk-or-Treat, so we dressed up as angels and we decorated my bike and handed out candy to the little kids. They loved it.

We also had some interesting experiences at people's doors. We had a guy take pictures of us and threaten to press charges for trespassing and then slammed the door in our face. I was so excited! I have been wanting a door to be literally slammed in my face! (We set ourselves up for that one...he was on the ward list as a Do Not Contact, 4x, but I thought maybe he'd act differently with sister missionaries. He didn't.) We also got cussed at, too! And at one guy's door he said "I wouldn't come any closer if I were you." (I thought he was gonna pull out a gun) "We're all extremely sick in this house."

But we did have a cool experience. I saw a guy working on his car in his garage, so I'm like "Let's go talk to him."

We do. He is nice, but not interested.

We leave and go to next house. Sister T says "Man. I really felt like I was supposed to give him a Book of Mormon."

Me- "Really?"

Her- "Yea... this is why the spirit stops talking to me! It's because I don't listen!"

Me- "Well, let's go back. Show the spirit you'll act when you hear him."

So we go back. It was kind of awkward, but I tried to curb the awkward. I said "Hello! We're back!"

And then my companion took over and gave him a Book of Mormon. He actually seemed pretty interested after that. It was just a cool experience.

The Diaz's are doing well! Brother Diaz is going to be ordained to the Aaronic priesthood this upcoming Sunday and Sister Diaz is getting her first calling to work in the relief society. They are just so cute. I stinkin' love them. When we went over this week, Sister Diaz admitted to me that she had started to pull away from us because she thought I'd be leaving this next transfer and she didn't want it to be too hard for her to say good-bye.

We are experiencing a little bit of a drought over here. A couple of our investigators have dropped us which I'm pretty bummed about.

Wait. I can't remember. Did I tell you about Janice K? The K family is a less active, part member family that the ward/missionaries has been trying to work with for years . We've been teaching the wife since I first got here. She told us she wants to be baptized. She said she wasn't sure when though. So we all left that meeting with the intention of praying about when God wanted her to be baptized. We all came back and felt like December was the right time. We were so excited when we set the date. A couple days later she called us and told that she told her husband about her upcoming baptism. He was shocked and didn't realize that she was so serious about it.

He told her to give him an extra month--so he could read the Book of Mormon with her and so he could get his act together and start coming to church. We're hoping his intention is to be worthy to be able to baptize her. Initially, I was kind of confused why God would tell us she needed to be baptized in December, but then it got pushed back to the beginning of January. But then I realized, that we needed to set the date then, so that it would give her husband a wake-up call and a kick-in-the-butt as I wish to call it. We're really excited for her though. It's so fun to see someone's testimony grow and their lives change, and participate in that process.

Geesh.

I love it here. I love it here. I love it here.

I love God. I love how good He is. I love how I get to help Him in His glorious work. I love how hard missionary
work is, too! It is too good.

I love you all!

Love,

Sister Andelin

This was last PDAY. We hiked this mountain and an elder brought his car shield thing. Then we all had to do some Superman poses.

This was all of us on top of the mountain doing some yoga

My lovely sisters

The angels handin out the goods

Total photo-bombed picture. Way to ruin the illusion, Elder Parker.

Companion twinsies

 At our ward Trunk-or-Treat, we had a chili, cornbread, and cobbler cook-off. We were the lucky people picked to judge the chili, so we had to try over 15 chilis and pick ONE winner.

My stomach was not very happy with me after that.