Monday, January 16, 2023

-- Buena Park, California

This week was so good! We got to go to BRITT'S BAPTISM!! It was the happiest day ever. Sister Langi and I got to be witnesses for her, and it was so special to see her take this next step towards Christ. I am so grateful I got to be a part of her story!! Plus it was super fun to be back in huntington beach and see a bunch of my favorite MSA members and missionaries I used to serve with:) There is so much JOY in helping people come closer to Christ! 

It's been raining pretty much non-stop here, so I've just gotten used to coming home completely drenched every night haha fun memories

We have been teaching this cute old lady named Ellen, whose grandson joined the church a few years ago, but hasn't been super active since. They both have so much faith, and a strong belief in God and the Bible that we can build off and add restored truth to. They are so sweet and I really enjoy teaching them. Her grandson Elijah joined the church because he had a friend who was strong in the church, and his family does all they can to just be Christlike and kind to him. You never know the impact that your example can have on someone, even if you're just in high school. The Light of Christ is contagious!

We also did so much service this week!! I looove doing service so getting to help people move, give out food to people in need, and even deep clean church bathrooms makes me so happy hahaha 

Quote of the week: "I would say have a great day, but have a great life" 
❤️Sister Anderson :)

Pictures:
Britt's baptism!! YAY!
Service with my fav sisters 
Exchanges with Hermana Votaw!
Ellen & Elijah <3
The Cypress Zoneeee 










Monday, January 2, 2023

Change is hard, but good!! - Buena Park, California

The past couple weeks have been WILD 

As a zone, we got a little nativity set from our mission and then picked a family in our stake who is going through a really hard time and delivered the pieces to them leading up to Christmas. We each got a piece and a day to drop it off anonymously, and then we went and caroled to them all together on Christmas Eve! It was such a special way to serve them:)

Christmas was bittersweet. We got transfer news (on Christmas Eve, of all days) and found out that both Sister Langi and I had to leave the area:((( It was pretty much the last thing we were expecting- we were so shocked. I genuinely love the MSA ward and Sister Langi so much and so many good things were happening in our area. We stopped by our friend Britt on Christmas morning and brought her and her son a little present. They came to church (yay!) but we had to tell them we were leaving and say goodbye (πŸ’”). It's one of those things that you always hear about, but until you experience leaving people behind like that yourself, you don't really understand just how hard it is. They're in good hands with the new sisters, it was just heartbreaking to have to leave all our awesome friends and members behind :( 

I'm now in the Cypress Zone in Buena Park (I live right down the street from Knott's Berry Farm πŸ‘€) with Sister Jones, who is also from Arizona! We're on bike, but this time with real bikes and not beach cruisers with baby seats haha. Biking has been kinda hard for me so far. My first night, it was pouring and we got soaked all the way through. Plus I had been up all night packing and cleaning and was already so exhausted. It was a challenge, but we made it work and it's already getting better. With the Lord all things are possible! We are sharing a ward with a companionship of elders, which has been so fun because we go to dinner appointments and stuff together all the time!

This week I've been studying in 1 Nephi, specifically about what Nephi and Lehi did to receive revelation. Some things I loved are that they 1. Asked questions and received answers 2. Acted on the revelation they received and then received more, and 3. Trusted in the Lord when they couldn't see the whole picture. I loved seeing these principles in action in their story and thinking about how I can be more like them!

Happy new year!! Love you all
❤️ Sister Anderson 

Pictures!!
- this cute pedestrian sign we drove past all the time 
- saying bye to the best ward members:(
- accidental Christmas colors!
- HB zone on Christmas πŸ₯²