Thursday, December 18, 2014

Ceia de Natal!

Monday, December 15, 2014

We had a huge Christmas feast this week with our ward and lets just say that it was DIVINE! Of course rice and beans, but they had this chicken that I just couldn't stop eating, and of course my favorite beverage on this planet (besides root beer and hot chocolate) GuaranĂ¡!!!! The best part though was that all the primary kids put on a little nativity while a choir was singing a beautiful (don't remember which) Christmas hymn in the background. Something with children makes me feel the Spirit so strong because they just barely left the presence of our Heavenly Father in the grand scheme of things.

I started a "personal sanctification" fast with Sister Kelly, and man am I being humbled and sanctified. We had three days in a row when all our appointments dropped, there was no one in the rua to make contacts to, and it poured rain on us and remained freakishly hot. But, the Lord strengthens us so much in times of struggle. I already had a testimony of this but my mission so far has already showed me that humility and relying on the Lord are SO important in receiving blessings and progressing towards becoming like our Savior. This week I saw a perfect example of this.  The four of us sisters were eating with a really humble family in our ward. When we had finished eating when we heard someone clapping outside. The dad of the family got up a returned with a boy that I know I'd never seen before but the way he acted towards him it seemed like he was his son. This boy was homeless, and yet I didn't know. The family gave him so much food and talked and laughed with him until he said he had to leave. Lucas is only 12 years old and relies on the kindness to others to live.

During this Christmas season I hope we always remember others and put their needs above our own. Our Savior truly IS the present of Christmas and we need to be remembering that first comes God and then comes our families. I love mine and the knowledge that it can be eternal. Love your families. Cherish every moment!

lovelove,

Sister Anderson

One of my favorite couples in the ward! Julio e Melina!

3 Americans and 1 Brazilian :)
Sperry, Young, Anderson, Kelly

Our cute little treeeeeeeee!!!!



TRANSFERS!!!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Well its not actually a surprise but ill be staying in Aracatuba with my amazing companion Sister Kelly at least until the middle of January. After that I have no idea where I'll go, but that's why you gotta love that the Spirit and that mission presidents know exactly where to send you!

We went to a Christmas "choir concert" in the stake center (church meetinghouse) this week. There were probably 6 different churches represented in different choirs and one choir with a bunch of old adorable Brazilian women that sang, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow: in Portuguese WITH FEELING, and literally I was moved to tears...it was so cute!!!  I love remembering and worshiping my Savior through music especially during this Christmas season :) Also, we watched a wonderful video on natal.mormon.org that was truly inspiring. Mormon.org is such a wonderful place to go and really listen to the testimonies of others and feel closer with our Savior.

We had a wonderful Christmas surprise this week when a family out of nowhere brought 300 dollars worth of food and presents for us four sisters...I literally teared up I was so happy. And they bought us like the really good food too! I'm telling you I have never been more thankful for members and the pure love of Christ that they showed us than I was in that moment :)

I LOVE CHRISTMAS because during this season it always seems like people are more willing to give of their time, talents, and love, not just to family but to complete strangers too...one thing that I love to think about it is that EVERYONE has the light of Christ in them. A knowledge that their Savior loves them and lived and died and lives again so we can return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. I love my Savior. I have a testimony of his divinity and of His love. When we ask him, exercising a particle of faith, he will show us our divinity and our potential. But we have to ask. And we have to be faithful and open to receiving guidance in our lives.

Tis the season! Let Christ into your life 100 percent!!!!

Sister Anderson

Normal 9pm planning in our temporary trio :)

Yet another rain storm!!!

Monday, December 1, 2014

ABBA!!!!


Monday, December 1, 2014

So people here love to listen to American music, and there is this family that we visit pretty much every day.  On Friday their neighbor across the street was blasting BLASTING Abba, and I laughed out loud because I thought of my mom, and home, and dancing in the kitchen, and singing as loud as we could. That was a good moment this week :)

I live with a Chilean, Brazilian, and an American, so Thanksgiving was very interesting this year! (haha) We don't have the time or means to cook a turkey so we cooked this little baby chicken thing and it actually turned out really really good! Also, we drank Guarana in place of Martinellis. I was sad, but Guarana is like drops of heavenly nectar so it wasn't bad. (haha)

We also had stake conference this weekend and i really enjoyed all the talks. here are a few thoughts:

1. "If you are a disciple of Christ, you will follow His commandments"  Kind of like how parents always say "If you live in this house you live by my rules".  Well this earth is a gift from God, and last I checked were all living on the earth so we need to be following the rules the creator has set!
2. Everyone that has spent time on this earth already accepted the plan of the Savior in the pre-earth life. That means that everyone has the light of Christ. At some point and in some other time they knew the Savior and they loved and accepted him.
3. PRAYER. PRAYER IS SOSOSOSOSO IMPORTANT! Our Heavenly Father wants to hear from us! He loves us and has done literally everything He could to see us be successful! We need to do some things in return to show our gratitude:


  • Have faith (its the power through which the Lord works his miracles)
  • Learn and practice good works
  • Be humble ( a prideful heart drives away the promptings of the spirit)
  • Do everything in your power to show him you love him
  • Keep all the commandments to the best of your ability


4. FAITH AND HUMILITY AND CHARITY
When you apply these Christlike attributes and you follow Christ, you cannot fail. There is no way to not succeed! How beautiful is the Atonement of Jesus Christ! Accept our Savior and live like He did and nothing on earth or from hell can destroy your knowledge that God lives. He loves us, and we will return to his presence one day if we live his restored gospel.

The church is true! I love You!

Sister Anderson

Sister Alegria is leaving this week to go back to Chile :( here 18 months are up but shes going to BYUI!

POURING POURING rain after our district meeting!

Brazillian/ Chillean/ American Thanksgiving

first package in the mission!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOMMY!!!!

Monday, November 24, 2014

MOM! WOW! Happy birthday beautiful lady!!! I'm so excited for you because I know that you probably aren't excited to be another year older...sorry i brought it up... (haha)

So this week I started reading "Believing Christ" and I loved some quotes he said:

"Any two people who are joined together and have become one in a covenant unity are perfect as long as one of them is Jesus Christ"

How beautiful is that? I love how true this is!

"We must believe in Christ and we must believe in justification by faith in Christ. We must be committed tot both. Knowing that we cannot do everything that the law demanded from us in the gospel covenant we agree to do all that we CAN do. We agree to give our Savior our best effort to give Him everything we have. We agree that perfection is our ultimate goal and that we will work with him toward that goal. In return we also agree to repent whenever and however we fail to keep the commandments perfectly and to try again and again and again if necessary and never to give up repenting and trying to be like him."

Being here in a completely new culture, in a completely new world is such a wonderfully challenging experience. To be honest, I often get frustrated with myself and my inability to communicate how I think I should be able to.  I express this to sister Kelly (native Brazillian) and her response to me the other day was this, "Every day are you going to worry about how many more words you know our grammar you understand, or are you going to focus on the people?" That's the true answer: focus on the people. Love the people. The answer for me and the answer that the savior always gave was love, or charity, His pure love.

As I was praying the other night this thought entered my mind in regards to talking in Portuguese, but I think it applies to all of us with some sort of fear to share our faith.... "Let go of your pride. Let go of your worry that people will laugh when you speak or that you'll say everything wrong. Speak from your heart, not just from your mouth alone."

I know that when we have trials or fear to do something new and different that God will give us the strength IF WE ASK FOR IT and then RELY on his power! Ask and rely!

Saw a 4 foot long lizard this week. well....Sister Kelly actually almost stepped on it! (hahaha)
Oh, a really cool miracle happened too, Carlos is preparing to be baptized the 30th but he has a problem with coffee. The other week right after we finished teaching and left their house. Irma Val told us that the cup and coffee maker just broke!!! (haha) The Power of God is real!!!! Small and simple things shall bring to pass great miracles!

LOVE, SISTER ANDERSON

ps HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!



shut my foot in a door, but nothing is broken! 

 1/9th done with the mishhhh

matching the eggs

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

2 MONTHS!!!!!!

Monday, November 17, 2014

Hi! 2 months already?! (haha)  That doesn't feel that long, and yet it does somehow because I'm away from so many people I love! This week I went to a civil wedding of a sister in our ward with all her kids and it was so weird. (haha) It made me appreciate how beautiful and special temple weddings are and the promise we have to be with our families for eternity.  I had my first zone conference as well, and of course it was us 4 Sisters and 8 billion Elders. :)  It was so good though to receive training and practice how we can be better missionaries and use all the tools we've been given to meet and teach all of Gods children.

Okay this was a fun day, on Thursday we had divisions and I went with Sister Young....the other American....and we're in Brazil. (hahahahaha)  Let's just say we had a lot of interesting encounters with A LOT of Brazillian men. (haha)  On Friday it was a holiday here, but all that really means is that everyone is still sleeping at 2 in the afternoon, and if they're not sleeping they're already drunk...so yeah that day was fun making contacts too.

We went to a baptism on Saturday af a little 8 year old in our ward. At the end the bishop invited all us missionaries up to the front to talk about baptism. There were actually a lot of nonmembers there and we were fasting too so the spirit was so strong. I love that every day I witness and help with the work of miracles. The spirit is the most powerful tool in conversion and the only way people receive a witness of this gospel.  The fast was country wide too because Brazil really REALLY needs rain BECAUSE ITS SO HOT AND IT ALL EVAPORATES PROBABLY. :)

This week has been hard and wonderful! Just like every other! But I love this work and wouldn't be anywhere else than here :) I love my savior and I KNOW with every fiber of my soul he loves each of us back! Love you!!!!

Sister Anderson



surprise birthday party of a lady in our ward

Aracatuba!!!!!


some cute grandkids of the lady that got married :)

me being well....me

me with a little kitty!!!

Monday, November 10, 2014

THE HOTTEST WEEK OF MY ENTIRE LIFE

Monday, November 11, 2014

If it wasn't for the grace of God and that we need to like preach the gospel to all of Gods children, I'm pretty sure I would have died. Three days in a row it was over 100 and Tuesday it was 118 degressssssssss! What is that?!?!

While I've been here I've seen so many dead animals (dogs, birds, turtles, toads, cats) just lying in the street. I dont like that! I bore my testimony last week, obviously in Portuguese. Good thing people are forgiving because I'm not even sure it made sense. (haha)

I've lowered my health standard here too because I've had to just go and eat food with hairs and bugs in it. God gives me the strength not to vomit. Haven't yet!! (haha) I did eat guinea pig the other day though, and before that piranha! Fun times in the mission :) Liked 'em both... Oh also, there are chickens everywhere here! Like as pets and on the streets and for eating...its great!

Everyone here tells me i look like this Brazilian actress lady or different American actors. I think that's funny because I'm pretty sure i don't :)

I've seen big improvements in my language and in my ability to express better how I feel when I testify and teach. One of our investigators, Carlos, has a date set for baptism too :) So cool to witness and be apart of the miracles of God.

Our ward is awesome! So is the bishop and ward mission leader!

Okay so this week was awesome with investigators and menos ativos! We taught so well together Sister Kelly and I. We can teach and one will think of a scripture or phrase or something and the other will share the exact thing! My favorite experience we had was with a menos ativo and talking about our opportunity and responsibility to share the gospel and open our mouths. I talked about D&C 33:8-11 and how in every verse we are told to "open our mouths" we are promised that if we come to know the word of God and the teachings of Christ first we will be giving in the exact moment what to say if we act in faith and open our mouths. I'm working on 100% being an instrument in the hands of the Lord and being prepared to have the spirit work and testify through me. Its not easy but I'm a lot better at it now than I ever have been.

Any and all, I invite you to come to know the word of God first and then have the courage to open your mouth and speak simple truths to people you care about. You never know what could happen :) I love you all! I love my Savior! Anything is possible through our faith in our Savior!

lovelove

Sister Anderson

Jaca Fruit

When it rained like a hurricane before our 3 days in fogo (fire haha). 

caju tree....???

Sunday at church!

AracSOLtuba!!!!!!!

Monday, November 3, 2014

IM HERE IN THE FIELD!!!!!!

Im in Aracatube right now and it is so so different from anything I've ever experienced. We left at 3:30 in the morning from the CTM and my curling iron caught on fire while I was using it. (haha) Oh well.  So after a short flight from Sao Paulo I met my companion! SISTER KELLY! Shes from IMPETRIZ MARANHAO BRAZIL! Anyway she looks like the princess from princess and the frog and she is SO SO lovely! She only speaks Portuguese and I only speak English so that's pretty interesting (haha) so she is so patient and understanding. She's been out 10 months and I'm her first daughter. :)

We live with two other sisters one American and a Chillean. The Chillean, Sister Alegria (Sister Joy-- haha), trained Sister Kelly! so we have A LOT of fun with that! It's just us four and our apartment is actually really nice.

So Aracatuba, if you compare it to the sun, it isn't that hot....but compared to any place on the livable planet earth its like being in the middle of a volcano! (haha) I sweat like an unreal amount here! Lucky for me though its not that humid so phew! My hair is out of control though! I always always wear it up (haha) I feel like I don't have a personality sometimes when I'm speaking (haha) but even over this past week my Portuguese has improved so much, and if I talk slow I can say everything I want to pretty much! I was pretty frustrated at first cuz I'm hard on myself, working on that, but I decided it's okay to talk slow because these people need to understand the message and they need to actually understand it in their language.

Pray for rain in brazil! They really really need it! And now that I'm also a temporary citizen I need it too! I saw a zebra the other day! that was weird... I have so very little time to write!

lovelovelove

Sister Anderson


New Companion, Sister Kelly


It was pouring rain, so naturally we danced in the rua!!!!

District in Aractuba!

Sister Baker!!!!

Campinas and my tag


CHICKZAO!!!!

CTM District, Sao Paulo Temple :)






Saturday, November 1, 2014

Arrival in the mission and PICTURES!!!

Friday, October 31, 2014

We received a letter from Chloe's Mission President and the attached pictures today!  Here's an excerpt from the letter:

"Your daughter has already been assigned to her first area. She will be working in Santana in the city of Araçatuba, and will be trained by Sister Kelly. The area is very blessed, and your daughter’s trainer is a reliable and responsible missionary. Your daughter will certainly have much success and great spiritual experiences."

- Mauro TupinambĂ¡ Brum de Oliveira, Mission President







I forgot to say that last week was 1 MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, October 24, 2014

I got made sister training leader here in the CTM for the last week (haha), but its been cool to experience that before the field.

One of my instructors Irma Bueno is 6 moths pregnant and adorable and she lets us feel her belly when little baby Bernardo kicks and its so wonderful! haha  Love me some pregnant ladies cuz they're just so cute!

Tuesday night we had our devotional and President and Sister Swenson.  He did this thing where he spoke all in Port of course and she would play hymns intermittently. The whole devo. was about the Prophet Joseph Smith and his life and it moved me to tears. So beautiful and powerful! I love the Spirit but man I cry all the time!

Also this week we where learning (I'm pretty sure) some made up verb tense grammer thing and I lost it!  Oh I just started crying in the middle of class (haha).  Our Elders are used to us girls by now (haha), after spending 6 weeks/16 hours a day straight with each other (haha).

Anyway--tangent I invite you all to listen if you haven't ever heard it or re-listen to "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief". SO MOVING and lovely...

One thought that Elder Albee in my district had was that when Joseph needed his leg amputated the only comfort he requested was to be in the arms of his father and that we need to have the desire to be in the ours of our Father in Heaven always for he will show us the way of all things we should do.

Irma Blanco, so freaking cute by the way, told us that there are just baby chickens, and big chickens too I suppose like all over RP! Yes!!! I love chicken! haha What I mean is I love eating chicken....

Since its our last couple days here Irmao Britto gave us the challenge of an English fast. I've been talking ONLY in Portuguese and it gets hard but then I look up words in my mini dictionary that I literally have with me always, even when I sleep sometimes. (haha) I can understand about 8/10 of what the natives in the city say to me and speak about 6/10! Those are both above average so I'm happy!!!!! (haha) THREE MORE DAYS AND I'LL BE IN THE CAMP! (mission field) and I can send pictures! I'll miss my time here in the CTM a lot but I cant wait to teach Gods beautiful children in R.P.

Love you all. Remember to pray always, love always, and be grateful always. They're are more than just one person on the earth at a time because we need help and we all have things we need to learn and discover from one another.  Never take people for granted. Especially the ones you love...

ate mais,

Sister Anderson

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Weekly update!

Friday, October 17, 2014

P-days are my favorite because i get to go to the Temple and write my fambam!!!!  On Sundays the Bishop gets up and then announces the 4 people in your zone who are going to give talks....right then....in Portuguese...haha.  Good thing I always prepare because I had to speak!  My talk was about being an "instumento nas maos de Deus".  I used Alma Chapter 29 v. 9.  I love this whole chapter though, and I invite you all to read it!  I talked about the importance of weakness its the role in our lives especially as missionaries.  Something that I wish I had more time for was scripture study! I always wish I could just sit down and read and read and read! I gain so much confidence and knowledge when I do! I only read scriptures PME and actually everything else in Portuguese now!

This is our 5th week here in the CTM and there is as little English as possible! You should see my word book and planner from everyday learning of new words and phrases. The motivation is love though! I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF BRAZIL AND I LOVE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! Seriously though, that's what gets me through...love.

Sunday Night for devotional Elder Ballard spoke and talked about the importance of staying close to your families. I've seen this so much in my life and invite you all to find something about every family member everyday you appreciate and then to tell them! Sometimes acting on positive and sometimes challenging thoughts is the hardest part. Never hesitate to say a kind word!!!

My goal is to be able to speak almost fluently by Christmas! I think I can do it!!! Please pray for me though. (haha)  Our last week here we are going to sing one voice as a district and I'm actually really excited even though I do not possess the singing talent like my mother and Cameron. (haha) ...and dad and cole...haha

The two things I hear the most here in the CTM are, Where's my companion!!", and "Como se fala" or "How do you say" and then fill in an English word. (hahaha)  Such a good time!

Yesterday I spent 5 hours in the federal police station...long story but i was in cuffs and fingerprinted and they were yelling in port....jk we just need to be official citizerns of Brazil or something now. (hahaha)

There are such sweet workers here in the CTM and none of them are LDS and this tiny red-haired Brazilian lady with no teeth, who me and my companions call "minya mai" (my mom) and she hugs us and kisses us and tells us how much she loves us and that she will take care of us here in Brazil and be our mommy while were away from our own. (haha) SO CUTE I LOVE HER!

There are two South Africans--an elder and a sister in my zone and they sang this click song for us...um SO BEAUTIFUL! They are also beautiful beautiful people, and their accents are for sure my favorite out of any accent! (haha)

Invitations to all:

  • Read Alma 29
  • Pray every morning and every night
  • Speak only words of kindness!
  • Record your results and compare your thoughts and feelings. I can promise you that you'll feel closer to God and to everyone around you!


Love, Sister Anderson!

Monday, October 13, 2014

Surprise Wednesday!!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

We call Wednesday "Surprise Wednesday" here because you never know what your going to find on your clean sheets or your pizza!! (haha) This Wednesday we also went proselyting to like real people of Brazil and it was amazing!!!!!  I placed all my livros on the bus ride where we were supposed to contact people (hahaha) It was awesome!!!! I love being a missionary! Oh and did I mention this is all in Portuguese!! (casual.casual haha)

Anyway, I love love going to the temple every P-day! Today we went to the Campinas temple instead of Sao Paulo and that was wonderful!!! We moved from room to room and the entire session was in Portuguese! One of the most spiritual experiences I've had thus far on my mission and especially one the most I've had in the temple.  My favorite part is the celestial room.  Just how beautiful and sacred and holy everything is and how peaceful you truly feel in the house of the Lord.

Conference was so awesome last week. Especially to listen to it with all the other missionaries.  That was too cool!  Um, Jorg Klebingats talk! What!!!! He dropped some serious gospel! Okay family and friends, Mormons or not, I invite all of you to look up the Saturday afternoon talk by Richard G. Scott and to apply it to your life starting now!!! Also, usually the General Conference of the church is directed to members, but one talk at the end of conference was given specifically for non-members.  Check out the message from David A. Bednar titled "Come and See" here.

My sweet visiting teacher, Judy, sent me a letter and as you all know I love getting mail! But this letter came on a day and in a moment I truly needed it the most!

People here always point out how long my hair is here and then of course they touch it. I'm trying to get more patient with that. (haha) Okay so every morning for breakfast we have paninis but this week we had PANCAKES WITH SYRUP one morning! I never knew I could be so excited for those! Reminded me of the good old days and lunch bunch! Not nearly as good as my mommy's though. (haha) Well, I want you all to know how much I love this gospel. I know that the power of God is the strongest power on earth and that through it miracles are possible!  I love being a missionary and spreading the good word of God to anyone I see! This church is true and God is love!! My mommy taught me that!

Love love,

Sister Anderson

Sunday, October 5, 2014

I love singing and speaking in Portuguese!

Friday, October 3, 2014

Hello there all you wonderful people!!!  Lots to say and so little time.

Sister Baker's parents (Sister Baker is my companion) are named Mark and Jennifer....of course hahaha

I have gone through 3 pens in 3 weeks because I write down so many new words write in my journal write letters and sometimes draw haha (mom will you please send more .38 pens to the mission home in RP)

In Portuguese I told the CTM President I liked his fork when I meant to say tie...woops! Gravata and garfa, close right!

Thought of my mommy during Tuesday night broadcast devo when we sang Battle Hymn of the Republic.  I sang it in port with so much spirit you would have been so proud mommy.  I LOVE SINGING AND SPEAKING IN PORTUGUESE, its such a beautiful language and I'm catching on pretty quickly. The Lord wants me to learn so I'm learning fast! We've taught 20 something lessons now and I can go in with just my scriptures and teach and pray and ask questions, answer questions, and bear my testimony!! Oh how I love the gift of tongues!! For my family back home read D&C 100. I hope it brings you peace as I'm away serving as i know it did to Josephs family when they needed it.

70 new US missionaries came in on Wednesday, so one of the instructors had me wear her name tag at lunch and go reprimand them for not speaking in Portuguese.  I told them, "somente fala em portuguese!!" They were all stunned and embarrassed, and didn't know what to say. I didn't laugh or smile and they were so confused. haha

The city isn't too too dirty which is nice. We have a certain area we get to walk around on p-day and I love it!!! Sometimes the CTM feels like a social experiment jail. (haha) Dress both guys and girls up all nice and then tell them not to flirt but how to speak an entirely new language...yeah okay!
They don't have sidewalks like on huge city streets. They have middle-of-the-street-walk. (haha) Too weird but kinda like an adventure!

Also, check out Mosiah 28:1-9.  This is a passage in the Book of Mormon that talks about missionary work among the people of that time.  Missionary work has been and will always be part of the plan!  Love it!

My favorite scriptures I read this week were in Hebrews 11. The whole chapter is about miracles and faith! Let me tell you that really APPLIES TO MY LIFE RIGHT NOW for sure!!!!! (sorry, didn't mean to yell that) hahahaha

Anyways I love you all and this Sister Anderson loves our Savior, loves Brazil and loves being a missionary!

love love,

Sister Anderson

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Okay update for this week!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Hardest most beautiful week of my entire life. Life as a missionary goes something like wake up at six and don't get back to your room till 10. In between nos fallamos portuguese sempre (haha). Seriously, like we cant speak in English our teacher says, so ever since day 1 we communicate pretty minimally (haha) no worries though when we have really good detailed funny stories to tell we tell them in English.

We eat a lot of weird stuff. The Brazilians like to make EVERYTHING into pudding. Wow mom, I was thinking about how much you would probably actually love it (haha).  The toilet paper here is exactly like an upside down tissue box, so that's different and the soap comes out in little spritz.

Everything we read and is said to us is in Portuguese and it forces us to pretty much learn fast or die (haha).  There are big scales everywhere to weigh luggage but we just weigh ourselves before and after meals for fun (haha).  They're in kg so you feel good about yourself.

Im typing on a port keyboard btw, and they are weird and different so I can't put all the smiley faces I want or the punctuation (mehhhh).  Anyway, we have lots of interesting fruits everyday and they make all of them into juice too! I love mixing flavaflaves and yesterday like most days we had rice and beans with a side of beans and rice.  LOVED IT.  We listened to a broadcast devotional Sunday night by Elder Scott and I'm 60 percent sure i saw my friend Sister Helton singing in the choir. I freaked out! Our teacher Irmao Britto is 23 and the nicest Brazilian man. He laughs at our English when we ask him how to say things in port (haha).

The presiding bishop came to the CTM and spoke to all of us last night. He said something really profound BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND (the end being exhalation and eternal life).

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! Sorry this email is pretty jumbled and rushed but I wanted to tell you about fun things about Brasil.  I need all the prayers I can get so thanks for them all!

Love you,

SISTER ANDERSON

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Your missionary´s arrival at the Brazil MTC

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Dear Parents,

Sister Swensen and I are very happy to let you know that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil Missionary Training Center.  What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they begin their missionary experiences with us. We will surely take good care of your missionary.                                                                                                    
The missionaries now have companions and are settled into their rooms.  They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study.  Their branch presidents and wives, will meet them this Sunday.  These wonderful couples are richly blessed as they work with, motivate, and interview the missionaries assigned to their branch.

The MTC has a full-time live-in physician to care for their health needs.  He is assisted by his able wife who is a nurse. We are also happy to report that the cafeteria food is plentiful, healthy and very good.

Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple.  This will be either Wednesday or Friday, depending on individual assignments.

Your missionary is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of many others. President Lorenzo Snow said: “There is no mortal man that is as interested in the success of an elder when he is preaching the Gospel as is the Lord who sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord's children".  We love these missionaries as if they were our own.  We will watch over them carefully to ensure they are ready for a wonderful missionary experience after the rewarding time they will have in the MTC.

We thank you for preparing such a wonderful representative of the Lord.

President Robert Swensen and Sister Julie Swensen


Sister Anderson is alive!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Hello family!

Made it through the Atlanta airport just fine to my gate for Sao Paulo!  Met up with three more sisters. One was a visa waiter who has been serving in Mesa for four and a half months. The other two got their visas and were reporting today as well! The flight to Brazil was 10 hours and the lady next to me didn't speak any English, so there's that (haha).  She also coughed and sucked in boogers all ten hours. It added to the adventure! They gave us a dinner meal around 10:30 and then breakfast around 7.  They both made my tummy hurt, but I was hungry so I didn't care!  I fell asleep on and off for like three hours. I guess I was tired because I drooled a little (haha).  I have two companions in the MTC,  Sister Clement and Sister Baker, who are both lovely.  Sister Baker and I especially get along really well and she is such a good time!!  Anyways, pretty uneventful getting to the MTC which I guess is such a blessing.  I did notice that everyone has motorcycles and they weave in and out of cars SO FAST.  Scary!!  I love you all and I love Brazil and I love being a missionary!!

Love always,

Sister Anderson

P.S. I would send pictures of all the elders and sisters I traveled with but i dont know how yet...sorry mommy

Monday, September 15, 2014

I'm a missionary now!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Officially set apart as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter-day Saints

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Final packing

Out the door

Super Sister!

Checking in

One last kiss goodbye

Last family selfie