A Missionary's Final Testimony

Well … this is odd. I don't know what to say. I'll just make something up, I guess, and hope it all comes out in English.

The time has come to write my very last email from Mexico as a full time missionary, since next Monday will be busy with traveling, packing, and other fun things of that nature.

If I'd thought ahead I would have taken some cool, tribute-to-my-mission-in-Mexico photos to include (probably with a mustache or something) but I didn't. But … I still have a whole 'nother week for that.

Before I left home I chose the Romans 8:35,37-39 as my mission scripture. It reads:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In my mission I have seen, felt, and come to know that this is true. So many times I have felt or thought that something had separated me from the love of God, but upon closer inspection of my life I found that my Father in Heaven was so much closer – and so much more aware of me – than I ever thought possible. Many things He hasn't shown me until recently, some things He won't show me until later. But I know that everything that I have lived and gone through here as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been for my benefit, that it has helped me grow and become a better woman. So very, very far from perfect, but so much better than I was.

I testify of my Savior, Jesus Christ, who has helped me every step of the way, whether I deserved it or not, and who is my hope and my faith for the future that is to come. I testify of the prophets, ancient and modern, who have been called to guide us back home.

I can honestly say that I have not loved every moment, but I have loved my mission.

I love you all. Be good, play nice, and trust God.

I'll see you soon!

Hermana Dallyn Marie Anderson

You Might Want Some Popcorn ... (part 2)

-Rude things my missionary friends send me: 2 Nephi 1:14, but swap the word parent for missionary. (“Awake! And arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling [missionary], whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no traveler can return; a few more days and I go the way of all the earth.”)

-I had my last zone meeting this week. It was interesting to see how the Spirit is now talking to me, getting me ready with goals and plans for when I get home. Also, our zone is full of "dead" missionaries (or missionaries who are going to finish their missions soon). Here we all are, dead, or dying. I went more for the living dead look. I dunno why Elder Juarez thinks that that’s a dead face (he's the one on the end.)

-A fun thing is accidentally matching with your companion! This is Hna Hernandez from Veracruz, Mexico. Weird thing about our companionship … I'm the chubby one. Heavenly Father's always looking to keep me humble...

And to finish off, I am pretty sure that the cockroaches all know that I am leaving, so they decided to do everything that they can to bother me as much as they can these last few weeks.

Like this guy, who was just dead with his guts hanging out outside our door.

Or this guy, who I found in the washing machine that I rented today. But I didn't see him until after I had pulled out a bunch of clothes. Bleh.

The one that iced the cake though, was the one that, while I was studying, climbed up my chair, then up my back, then onto my shoulder and into my hair and on my neck. I was so not a happy camper.

I hate cockroaches, but love being a missionary. 

Another note: Conference was great. I learned so much, and I have so much to do and to work on. I'm pretty sure the whole world has said that by now, but it's true.

My fingers hurt and there's still a lot I haven’t told you, but they're going to have to be post -mission stories or something.

Love you all. Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Dallyn Anderson

You Might Want Some Popcorn ... (part 1)

…because this is gonna be a long one. And popcorn is tasty. Go ahead, treat yourself. 

Well … hellos! I'm sorry for having neglected you for so long, but things just get a little crazy here in Mexico!

Things I didn't get around to telling you last transfer (just writing that sentence makes me embarrassed):

-Our district started doing tours of the church every Saturday. We make lemonade and invite people to see the rooms and hear our message of the restored gospel.

One day while my companion, Elder Flores and Elder Yat Caal and I were making the lemonade, someone put on some music and Josh Groban's You Raise Me Up came on. My family and some friends know just how much I loved Mr. Groban in High School, so it should come as no surprise to them that I said, "Oh, this guy used to be my boyfriend." It was movie perfect the way the elders turned in unity to look at me in disbelief, until I said "He just didn't know it." Then they laughed at me.  And themselves.

-Reasons to keep practice singing for the rest of my life: Sometimes my companion asks me to start the Gospel Principles class with a hymn while she writes on the chalkboard. And sometimes I'm the only one that knows the hymn and so I sing a solo. No biggie.

-While talking with a woman and her friend outside of her house we explained that we are missionaries and we are the female version of the Elders. The woman said that the Elders were always so handsome and that "There is no such thing and an ugly Mormon." To which I replied, "My brothers will be glad to hear that." (I'm just kidding you guys; you're all cutie pies.)

-Remember how I kept seeing squished tarantulas? Well, we saw a few live ones. My companion was talking to me as we were walking one night on our way home and she almost accidentally stepped one. Now every time I am walking down that street I am extra conscious of where my feet go.

-Fun culture-mixing story time. I bought pesto a few weeks ago to enjoy with my pasta. Y'all know I love me some basil. Well, while we were eating tacos my companion asked if she could have some of my "green salsa" (the word for sauce is salsa. Everything is salsa here). She wanted to put on her taco. I said it would probably not mix well and she looked confused, because every salsa goes with everything, right? So I let her try a little (not on her taco, I’m not that mean) and when she tried it her face pretty much said I was the weirdest person for wanting to eat that. Whatever. I like it.

-I sleep well here (I suspect it's because I'm in nearly a constant state of exhaustion these days, but I might be wrong) and it turns out that I sleep so well that I don’t even feel earthquakes that happen at two morning. But my companion freaked me out because she felt it.

-My district leader called one night and said, "Hey, I need a favor because you’re so big. Well, ok, it's not that big." “What’s not big, me or the favor?" "The favor! You’re enormous!" He's a shorty, so I forgive him.

This transfer:

-While teaching about the Book of Mormon and showing the images that are printed in the front of the blue copies, our investigator’s son saw the picture of Lehi and his family and said, "Hey, that's Santa!" My companion and I were dying.

-We always start off our lessons singing a song, but sometimes I get bored and a bit mischievous so when we asked one investigator if she wanted a happy song or a calm song and she replied, "Give me the best you've got!" I, naturally responded by singing Silent Night >:) I'm excited for Christmas. Sue me.

-Sometimes I get dressed on P-Day and go to Walmart and then look at the decorations around me and realize that I dressed myself for Halloween ... Haha.

-Sometimes people give us lots of food, so much food I feel like I am a hobbit. When that happens I ask the family if I can pray in English, to help my companion learn more English, and I say things like, "Father, thou knowest that we just ate, and we aren't hungry, but we have to eat more. Please help us finish this food too."

-We had a Noche Mexicana! ‘Twas fun, especially when we helped the bishop’s twin daughters dress up as missionaries:

(To be continued ….)

AHHH!!!

The internet café is closing!!! Ahhh!!

I am alive, well, and loving being a missionary. Even though I am super tired at the end of the day, I feel as though I am doing the best I ever have.

General Conference is the best. Don't forget to follow up on the impressions from the Spirit that you received. That's the most important part.

Love you all!

(Only three more weeks, AH!)

No Time, But Here’s an Announcement That is Important

First off, thank you to those who listened and sent me your plans and questions as I requested.

You all get gold stars.

The rest of you are getting coal for Christmas and need to check out this page on the LDS website:https://www.lds.org/church/news/how-are-you-preparing-for-general-conference?cid=HP_FR_9-25-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL2-1_&lang=eng

And, also … an important announcement….

I have decided that for my last month I need to only communicate with my family. No friends, no boyfriend, or anyone else. If you would like to keep sending me things please go ahead, but I will be reading and answering them when I get home. This will give me more time to focus on what is happening here and on my calling for the four weeks that I have left (eek!).

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful conference weekend!

Love,

Hermana Anderson

So Many Things

I have so many things to tell you all, and several weeks of "highlights" to catch up on, but I feel that it would be better to tell you only a few.

Last week I began my very last transfer. I received as my companion Hna Gonzalez, from the State of Mexico. She's a big sweetheart and just finished her training. BUT … President Munive received revelation that we should have special transfers, so after only five days together she left for Navajoa and I received a new companion – Hna Hernandez from Veracruz. While it was incredibly hard to say goodbye to Hna Gonzalez, even after a short time, the Lord prepared me for the change, telling me it would happen but without my realizing it until it actually happened. I can now relate better to the 12 Apostles, who couldn't understand the words of Christ until they had been fulfilled.

The other thing that I want to tell you is about what we are doing to help our ward get ready for general conference. Hna Hernandez and I are sharing the talk by Elder Hales from the October 2013 conference about, well … about General Conference, (found here:https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/general-conference-strengthening-faith-and-testimony?lang=eng) as well as the words found in Mosiah 2:1-9 and 3 Nephi 17:3. Afterwards we will have them prayerfully answer the following questions, both personally and as a family:

-What questions do I have that I want answered this conference?

-What do I want to learn this conference?

-What am I doing to get ready spiritually for conference?

Ok, now that you know that, what you need to do is … do it for yourself, and your family. Yep. You have homework.

And I expect everyone reading this to write me back by Monday to tell me what you are doing to get ready and at least one thing you want to learn/have answered.

I expect a very full inbox.

I personally am going to finish studying last conference and reread and restudy all the messages from the First Presidency from the other three conference issues that I have. I am looking for an answer and/or more guidance on what I should study after I finish my mission.

I love you all, and I testify that as we spiritually prepare to learn we receive so much more out of our church meetings, scripture study, and spiritual experiences.

Can't wait to read your emails :)

With much love,

Hermana Anderson

Temple Trip!

Hello, friends,

I only have a few minutes, but the most important thing that I have to tell you is this:

My "temple trip" wasn't technically a temple trip. I got to see through satellite broadcast the re-dedication of the Mexico City temple. After being closed for renovations the temple is finally open again.

Between the cultural event on Saturday and the re-dedication service on Sunday I felt and thought a few things.

1) I am so blessed to be serving here in Mexico. The Lord has great things planned for this nation, and the Lamanites truly are blossoming like a rose in the desert.

2) I am grateful for temples and priesthood ordinances. They are proof that God loves us, and wants us to live with him again.

3) Heavenly Father loves me, has blessed me greatly, and has many wonderful things in store for me.

I have neither time nor words to fully explain everything that I felt and learned in those two days, but the Lord has once again blessed me beyond measure in the moments I need it most. 

I love you all. Have a wonderful week.

Yours in Christ,

Hna Anderson.

P.S. Need a Family Home Evening idea? Check out this video about the temple and have a family discussion. You'll be glad you did.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mexico-city-temple-opens-to-the-public?cid=HP_WE_8-12-2015_dPAD_fMNWS_xLIDyL2-3_