New Sector: Week 2!

¡Hola familia y amigos! This week was difficult again, but things always brighten up in the end. In the beginning it was raining for almost 3 days straight, but I liked it! It was a change of scenery and I wasn't dying of calor. So that was nice! Fundo El Carmen is different. We continue to search every single day, knocking doors, and contacting in the street. We just have to keep the faith and keep working. I know everything will work out eventually, and maybe right now this is what the Lord wants me to learn.

I felt sucessful this week, I decided to write a few letters and sent them today! YAY! Happy feeling. Also received a letter from my other half, Harmony! It was fun seeing stamps from Argentina, hopefully she gets my letter. I enjoyed reading her uplifting words. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who has a little stress here and there. Weird to hear my buddy Lehi got married. Wow, tell him congrats and best wishes and luck to them. Also funny how everyone is going to work at Smith's now. Hope Alexi is enjoying work and school! I love you all como siempre. Mi testimonio es continuando a crecer mas y mas. I'm grateful for these experiences that I'll always be able remember. It's funny to think that I'll able to say, "When I was on my mission..." So neat. Well have a grand spanking week!

P.S. If my pics are crazy, it's because I'm crazy. What of it.

-Also a lady who washes my clothes claims to be Rastafari haha...

Week of January 20th: New Area!

Hiiiiii everybody! I'm in a new sector now in Temuco in a cookie-cutter suburb: Fundo El Carmen. It's a little different to get used to. Every house is super similar so I'm having a hard time remembering directions, but that's why we have maps my friends! Anyway, my comp is Hermana Orellana and she's from Lima, Peru. Crazy stuff. The trip on the way here was way weird, cause I was all alone on a bus for 5 hours. But I made it here alive! The work is different here, not many investigators; so we're searching all day long. The sun is mas fuerte aquí, I got a little sunburn just from the first day. So sunblock is now my friend even though I don't want it to be. Hehe.

So yesterday was the first sunday here. I had to give a talk. Gulp. My first talk ever in spanish! I'm sure it was pretty short, because all youth spoke and then bishop had to speak; so that was a sign... I spoke about how the members could be a part of this work and glory of la obra misional. I got some compliments so I guess they understood some of what I had to say. My district leader is Elder Anderson and he shares a ward with us, so everyone thinks we're brother and sister haha. I was always call him bro for fun. Also forgot to tell you we found 2 investigators and they came to churchwith us! Hopefully they can progress more.

DAD! ¡Felicitaciones! On your new calling as a 2nd counselor of the Bishopric. I know you'll do well, wish I could be there to see you sitting up there by the Bishop. So crazy!! Wow. Well I'll be praying for you and the family just like always. I'm so happy! This made my week. Thanks for everything you guys do for me. The support is overwhelming just like the love of our Heavenly Father. Remember John 14:18, He is always coming to us if we let Him. I love the love that surrounds me in this gospel. Have a great week y'all!

Con Mucho Amor,

Hermana Melody Anderson

P.S. Pictures... I went crazy being alone in back of a bus! I'm just crazy no biggie.

Week of January 13th

Hello, hello, hellooooo! So we had our baptism on saturday. It actually happened, it's official! Ivan Escobar is now a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Good stuff. My first baptism did happen, but I know it's not mine; it all happened because of God and His power. This gospel is so amazing and I have this opportunity to actually represent Jesus Christ, which is a great responsibility. This is why I'm changing every single day for the better, so I can be more like Him.

So NEWS! JUST IN: I'm leaving mi linda Lota and going to Temuco. Also a new companion! I'll be leaving tomorrow and then I'll get to meet her. All I've heard is good things about her so we'll see how it goes. Wish me luck, and remember; I always need your prayers.

This past two weeks have been absolutely crazy! Hna. Andersen got bit by a dog, so there wasn't too much work done. We had to keep travelling for hospital visits. Woot. Anyway, I'm really gonna miss Hna. Barrios... She has taught me so much, her example is just what I needed. I really have learned more spanish, but I'm still getting better everyday! Oh Grandma Porter, I got your package! Thank you so much for everything. Also please thank the members who sent me mail with money. Today I treated myself to some clothes with the Christmas money from my padres! Muchas gracias!! 

 

Sorry I have a mountain of pictures... I have ones from the baptism and saying goodbyes to everyone. OJALA que mi nuevo sector es muy bueno. Though I'm even more far away from the office, so mail and packages might take awhile to get to me. :( Boocha! Well I love you all!! Forever and always. 

Hermana Melody Anderson

 

 

Insanely huge baptism pants I found. Teehee.

New Year!

Hello! So sorry about my rocking out to music stories... It's not me who plays the music. Anyway, good news!!! Ivan is getting baptized this saturday, the 11th of January 2014!!!!! Woot. So stinkin' happy as you can tell. My bruise on my arm is quite lovely, everyone thinks I'm abused or something. Totally kidding. The trio is quite difficult... I can't wait for the cambio because I know I'll be leaving! New change, new comp, and a new place! It'll be good. I saw Chan today and he looks really good. We're all happy in the mission here. We all have sad days, well I know I do. I'm only human. But other than that these experiences are helping me grow so much. I'm happy too!! My faith is becoming more strong every single day. Hope all is well over there! Have a Happy New Year! 2014 ahhhh crazy.

 

Love,

Hermana Melody Anderson

 

 

Singing in the rain

I'm jamming out right now to total eclipse of the heart... As you can tell. TURN AROUND BRIIIGHT EYES! Anyway... So the baptism has been postponed. Sad day. Well our branch president wants to make sure he really wants this for the right reasons. So right now we're having the elders help us teach him. We don't want him to be super attached to us. I don't know how to exactly explain it, but hopefully you get the point. Weird thing, this morning it was raining hence the subject title. Now the sun is out, so another hot day to preach the good word. Well what to tell y'all... Christmas was alright. Skype was the best part, I didn't want to say goodbye! I cried afterwards. Man, titanic is playing right now hahaha. My heart will go on! Distractions! So getting to the point, today I've now been in the glorious mission for 5 months. More time to fly by that's for sure.

Explaining the photos. There's some gifts I got for Christmas, an elder bought a skateboard and I have no idea when I'll be using that. Just silly stuff. There's an example of the deathly plates of food that I have eat. I'll be honest, I didn't finish that meal. Continued... I will write back wednesday because the president's wife is coming to my house right now so until wednesday!!!! Sorry. AHHH! Don't know what's going on, but I'll tell you later. 

Love Y'all!

Hermana Melody Anderson

 

 

Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas!

Hello! Merry Christmas! Things are different here, but it's good. So our Pres gave us permission to stay out until midnight last night. So here they stay up until 12 and then open presents. I have no idea when Santa actually comes to their houses... Well MERRY CHRISTMAS! Oh by the way in pictures, it's not real alcohol. I love you all!!! Feliz Navidad.

P.S.I forgot to tell you that now Ivan has his baptism for the 28th of this month. I can't wait. He's so strong because he's been giving up smoking and drinking. If we have faith in the Lord everything is possible. The thing is with faith we need to act. If we act then we can receive blessings. I hope all of you have been able to think about the birth of Jesus Christ, the real reason for Christmas. Because of His birth and His life, we have the chance to change through of his Atonement. I'm forever grateful that I always have the chance to be better person everyday. I'm not perfect. I'm a missionary, but I'm not perfect. I wear His name on my heart literally, this makes me want to be better. Hope you can think of things you can change to be more like Him. BYE!