Facebook Good-bye post - Mormon Battalion Historic Site

Well, my time at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site has officially come to an end. I don't think I ever expected to feel such a strong connection with this place, this story, or these people, but it truly has become so special to my heart. I have loved serving on this sacred ground every day for the last six months and I will forever look back on it with fondness. This is a place where I have learned so much about myself, about the Savior's infinite grace and goodness, and about how He views and values each person that I got to meet there (and all of His children!) The Battalion's story of service, sacrifice, and faith in Jesus Christ has inspired me to strengthen those qualities in myself and has made me a better missionary and disciple of Christ. Their story truly is so inspiring to me. As I continue my mission in Anaheim starting this week, I will take with me what I learned and I know the love of the amazing people I served with and the "Mormon Battlion in the sky" will carry me. I'm so grateful for my time here and everything that it's taught me. I'm grateful for the Lord's hand in my service here. I love my Savior. I'm so infinitely grateful for His Atoning Sacrifice that makes second chances and eternal glory possible. I know He lives. I love living this gospel. It brings me so much JOY! God is so good:)

If you're ever in San Diego, stop by and say hi for me;) I promise you'll fall in love with it too!

Officially Discharged. - Mormon Battalion Historic Site

Sorry for such a long email today, but it's a big day! I am leaving San Diego and driving up to Anaheim today to continue my mission there! Its so crazy how fast the time has flown. As cliché as it sounds, it really does feel like yesterday that I got here haha. I have really really loved serving at the Mormon Battalion. It has touched my heart and given me a new perspective on so many things. I'm so sad to leave but I know I'll have many amazing experiences in Anaheim too. 

My very last tour was my family! I didn't realize at the time that it would be my last tour, so I wasn't as sentimental as I probably would've been haha but it was a really good tour:)

Last week we had a battalion field trip, which, let's just say, was the adventure of a lifetime. We all got lost in the desert and ended up getting our cars stuck in some places on the rocky trails. President Top blames it all on me for being excited about off-roading hahaha but that's fine with me. It actually ended up being so much fun and definitely a mission story I'll remember. It was also super cool to walk the trail that the Battalion walked and carved out themselves so that wagons could use it. It's always so powerful to put yourself in someone's shoes like that.

Now that my time is up at the mobat, here are some fun statistics: 

• I've given over 300 tours (+short tours and partial tours)

• I've given tours to people from 25 different states, and the following countries:

Switzerland, Australia, China, Tahiti, South Africa, England, Japan, Scotland, France, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Greece, the Phillipines, Sweden, Ukraine, Taiwan, Hungary, Wales, Chile, and Saudi Arabia 

• I've given out 27 Books of Mormon, in the following languages: 

English, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, German, Italian, French, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese 

Most importantly, I have loved all of the people I've served and served with these last six months. I wouldn't trade my experiences here for the world! This new chapter will be so different but so good too. I'm excited to see what's to come :)

 Sister Anderson 

SIX MONTH MARK!! - Mormon Battalion Historic Site

Hello everyone! Sending this a day late from the mobat computer because I dropped my phone in the ocean at beach day yesterday lol. BUT as of today, I have officially been a missionary for 6 months!! It's wild to think about how I'm already 1/3 of the way through because it feels like I just started, but I've learned and grown so much in the last six months and I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful experiences I've been able to have so far!!

It's been a few weeks so I have lots to say but here are the most important things that have happened to me recently!!

- We went to the San Diego zone conference!! This was a big deal because we are not a part of the San Diego mission and there has been a bit of bad blood in the past, so the fact that we were invited and got to make new friends with the missionaries there was so awesome. All the departing sisters got to go together and it was just the best. It got us so excited to go to our other missions and be proselyting missionaries too! I can't wait for all the experiences I'll get to have in Anaheim so soon :)

- We had a couple days of rain! I've been seriously missing the AZ monsoons, and this was the first time it's rained in the 5 months I've been in San Diego so I know it's such a small thing but Heavenly Father is aware of us and what we want!

- We met the coolest couple at the temple - the guy was an inactive member who wanted to come back to church eventually, and his girlfriend was curious about our church. So we got to talk to them about the temple a little bit and the look in her eyes when we talked about the spirit world and the opportunity that everyone will have to get a second chance and to hear the gospel after this life really touched me. She started crying as she told us that she works in hospice and has always felt this pull from people at the end of their lives that they just want to go home and this idea of life and second chances after death made so much more sense to her than the religion she grew up in that she's never really understood. We gave her her own book of Mormon, which I know contains the answers to those questions of the soul like she needed. We also referred them to missionaries in the Arcadia mission and I'm praying that they'll have a good experience with those missionaries because I know the gospel can bless their life in sooo many ways

- I got to see my mom! I had some family members come into town this weekend and I got to give them a tour, which was super fun (pictures included) and I also got to see the Mortensens! I feel so blessed to be at a place where I can show people I love the kind of missionary work I get to do every day :)

- I did twelve consecutive loops on Elder Allen's kite

I have two weeks left here before I head up north so I'm soaking it all up and getting excited for what's to come! I love you all and I'm praying for you! Here's to another great six months!

Sister Anderson

comp study on the dock

Last Battalion temple trip :,(

Departing sisters -Sister Shell

Family Photo! (daughter: Sister Lawson, granddaughter: Sister Platt)

Message from President and Sister Top - Mormon Battalion Historic Site

 We may not be the largest geographically or numerically, but this “mission” known as the Mormon Battalion Historic Site at San Diego is “supersized” with the power of God. These remarkable people are deeply devoted to the Lord and their fellowmen. Everyday they exhibit the faith, sacrifice and service of the 1846-47 Mormon Battalion, whose story they so beautifully tell at our historic site. The service they give to the community is exemplary. They reflect the Divine Light wherever they go. I’m proud to serve alongside them.