A Christmas Miracle

Okay actually I have no Christmas miracle to tell you about (:

Starting yesterday I have been writing down everything about Christmas Eve and Christmas in a letter that I will send out tomorrow. You have that to look forward to (:

 

Okay first items of business before I get to the meat. (PS I'm writing personal letters to home today also)

Thank you so much for the package you sent me. It took some serious patience, but I waited until today to open it. I love everything so much! Especially the tiny yellow puppy who now bears the name of O'Henry. Everyone loves O'Henry. (:

I opened the Oh's early and have been sharing them with people at breakfast on Sundays. It's perfect (:

 

Chinese is going very well! I now have 5 scriptures memorized in Chinese. Alma 7:11-14, 1 Nephi 3:7, Helaman 5:30, Moses 1:39, Moroni 10:4-5

 

Merry Christmas, everyone! I miss you all a ton and everytime I look down at my clock I wonder what you could possibly be doing. I think about all of you a lot. Of course I miss you, but I'm happy to say that working hard makes it easy to bear. My heart is very full today with love for everyone and I wish you all could feel the spirit that is here at the MTC today. It is so strong.

 

Ps. Elder Nelson says Merry Christmas!

Double Ps. It is truly a remarkable feeling when an apostle of the Lord tells you that he knows Jesus Christ is happy for my work.

 

Okay I have lot's of things to write about things I've learned. They are of a more serious nature and I hope as you read this you will know how truly grateful I am for the Savior's atoning sacrifice.

 

I was reading in Enos 1:27. Enos in this verse mentions how excited he is to see the Savior again (considering he is going to die soon). As I read about the joy in his heart knowing that through Christ, he could receive rest, I was so touched. He really did have a testimony of the atonement. I want to add my testimony to his and let you all know that I know with a surety of knowledge that all your pains, fears, guilt, EVERYTHING can be healed through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Elder Nelson mentioned that this is our Christmas gift to the world. The gift has already been given. Receive it. In a discussion on Sunday about the atonement in a district meeting I felt very full of the spirit and wrote these words afterwards in my journal. "I know that I am supposed to be a missionary right now. I know that everyone can be healed through the atonement." AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF GOD, I CAN TELL YOU THAT ALL THINGS CAN BE OVERCOME THROUGH THE INFINATE ATONEMENT OF OUR SAVIOR AND REDEEMER OF THE WORLD, JESUS CHRIST! Come unto him, all ye that are heavy laden, and He shall give you rest. Learn of Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I absolutely know without any doubt or reservations that families are eternal. After death, hope does not end. After death families do not separate. After death we do indeed live again. We can live again with our Heavenly Father, our creator. And we can do it with our families. This is indeed such a great message. I am not scared to be separated from my family on a mission because I know that no matter what happens, we will be together for eternity. Thank you mom and dad for being worthy to be sealed in the temple of the Lord for time and all eternity so that we can be a forever family.

 

I don't have much time left because we only have 20 minutes today. I have gained a testimony recently of the apostacy. That seems like an odd thing to testify, but I'm telling you, without the apostacy there would be no need for a restoration. AND I KNOW that Christ's gospel was restored. There are SO many evidences of the great apostacy. Maybe I can go in more depth another time, but I know of ten different ones. The first being that the Bible ended. Anyway, I digress. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It contains the fulness of the Gospel. As people read the Book of Mormon and the Bible together, they WILL gain a testimony of the entire gospel.

 

No more time, but I encourage you all to BE BOLD!

 

In the TRC last saturday we invited the boy we taught to never miss a day where he shares the gospel or some piece of it with others. I send the same invitation home. SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY! There is power in that.

 

I love you all!

 

Love,

Micaela

Chinese is going great!

Hey family. I am so glad to be writing to you again. First, some items of business. Since Christmas is on my PDAY I'm not sure when I'll get to email home--but don't worry. I will email sometime ON CHRISTMAS. I will make sure that happens. I love you all so much and even though I'm missing Christmas in Virginia, I know that I'm in the right place here and they will take good care of me. Also, just like I sent home a letter on Thanksgiving, I'm going to keep my notebook with me and tell you EVERYTHING that I do/feel on Christmas so you can experience it with me!

Next- the other day I ran into an Elder Utsch from Edmond Oklahoma. He's in Aunt Leslie's ward. PLUS Uncle Les was his home teacher. Small world, huh?

Things are going great out here. I sing in the choir every week--which is so awesome. Also, tomorrow we're getting a new group of 19 missionaries!! SO CRAZY! I'm thrilled (: My roommates and I have, in light of the newcoming kiddos, stepped things up. We try to SYL as much as possible and we're really working hard to be perfectly obedient so that we can set a good example for the new missionaries. Plus, on January 6th we get ANOTHER load of new Chinese speaking missionaries! I LOVE MISSIONARIES!

Chinese is going well. Now that our older generation has left to go to the mission field, we have a lot more pressure. Sister Latimer and I are the music coordinators for our branch. (Which i feel like i may have mentioned last week... whoopsies). Anyway, we also all have to give talks in Sacrament meeting. We all prepare a talk before hand and during the meeting we are called up at random to speak. It's incredible intimidating. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO USE CHINESE! Eeeek! Here's some good news about the language though! This morning, my roommates informed me that I was sleep talking all night (like literally all night) and it was in Chinese! How great is  that?! I guess that means I'm dreaming in Chinese--even though I don't remember my dreams.

Here's a great thing though. I'm really working on relying on the spirit more during our lessons (rather  than having so much of a script). I think it has helped a lot. Our last lesson (with an investigator that has not been particularly receptive) was awesome. We told him that we missed him at church on Sunday (because he informed us that he couldn't go since he had a softball game). This was still part of the chit chat at the beginning so we didn't ever actually end up saying an opening prayer. We told him that the joy he feels while playing sports is even less than what he could feel at church. Then we talked to him about the importance of going to church and about how he will be blessed if he comes. We ended up having a very spiritual lesson about keeping the sabbath day holy (and we never even started our lesson about the Plan of Salvation)!

It was cool!

Also, Sister Ganowski (from St. George) got a pie in the mail from her mom. After we finished eating it (which I didn't actually get any...) we gave the plate to Sister Frischneck (whose husband is Grandpas doctor). She cleaned it up for us and filled it with goodies. We made a card with an invitation to always come closer to Christ and gave it to her to give it to a less active woman in her ward. I really hope that the things we wrote in the card will touch her heart.

ALSKDJFEIOWASL;KDFJ AHHHHHH!!! I'M SO EXCITED THAT NELLY IS MEETING WITH THE MISSIONARIES! I literally cried when I found that out. And I wrote a letter to Elder Gronning. I have been praying so much for her and I finally feel like that prayer is getting answered. I couldn't be happier now. I know that if she continues to meet with them, she will find sincere joy in this life and eternal happiness in the life to come! Today I have been sharing the good news with everyone! I"m just so thrilled. (: (: (: (:

Okay, in the last little bit, I want to share what I have learned this week. Well actually I have learned a lot.

First-- something about Christmas. We watch music and the spoken word every Sunday before Relief Society. This is what touched me. "The real spirit of Christmas is giving everything you have no matter how small a gift. I hope to dedicate my life to nothing less than that." That's exactly how I feel right now. All I want to do right now is dedicate every single day of my life to the Lord. How lucky am I that I get to do this?! I couldn't be happier. I'm antsy to get out to Taiwan for that very reason!

Okay now I want to really talk about how important the Gospel of Christ is. A quote that we heard in our workshop on Wednesday was from Elder Christofferson. He said "There's a large difference between sharing information and offering salvation." The obvious meaning of this is that we need to have the spirit present when we teach, but what I got out of it was much deeper. I am not out here to simply tell people about the Gospel. I am on a mission because I want to offer people the greatest gift there is--salvation. I want everyone to know that they can be with their families for eternity. They can find happiness to a degree that they never imagined and through the atonement of Christ they can be completely cleansed from any sin or transgression. Not only that, but Christ took upon himself all the pains of this world. THIS MESSAGE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE IN THE WORLD! I am so happy to share it. With that in mind-- I invite everyone who knows about the Gospel to PLEASE SHARE IT! People may think you are weird, but there will be someone within the sound of your voice who is ready to hear the word of God--and is seeking it with all their heart. I know this because I have done it. Sister Dalton told us this in Relief Society on Sunday, "Don't be hesitant to bear your witness that Jesus is the Christ. He is the son of God. He came into this world to save us all and through Him we can return to live with Heavenly Father again." OUR MESSAGE IS GREAT AND OUR MESSAGE IS TRUE! Seriously though. I have never felt more strongly about something in my whole life. Do NOT be afraid to share the gospel. We were born in this day because we PROMISED the Lord we would share His message. That is exactly what we should be doing. Never let a day go by where you don't share your testimony of the power of Christ to someone you know or just barely meet. In the recent weeks, I have been memorizing Alma 7:11-14 in Chinese (which I'm almost done doing). I promise that the things this scripture says are true. I promise that the Book of Mormon is indeed the word of God. I know that we are ALL children of a loving Heavenly Father and he loves us so dearly. I KNOW without a doubt that families can be together forever if we follow the example of Christ and join His fold.

I don't have much time left. I hope that you all know how much I absolutely love this Gospel. I don't feel like I put it very adequately, but I do know what I know. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. And it IS true. Completely.

I love you all.

Godspeed,

Sister Micaela Anderson

6 Weeks in the MTC

Wow! I can't believe I've been out for six weeks! I'm halfway through my MTC time. It's amazing to me how much I've grown and progressed both spiritually and with my Chinese. There really is a spirit of progression here at the MTC. I know that this spirit that I feel daily can be felt anywhere--by reading the Book of Mormon. that has kind of been the theme of this week. Study the scriptures and you shall find answers to ALL of your questions. I really have a testimony of the scriptures... especially the Book of Mormon. Before I get all spiritual, I guess I should mention some of the cool things from this week.

I talked to President McIff of the Mission presidency in the cafeteria the other day. He knows Grandpa Anderson and told me I have great grandparents. He's right--and even though he doesn't know all my grandparents, I know all four of you and I think ALL of you are fantastic and such incredible examples of faith for me.

Today I had lunch with President Brown. This is our third encounter.... Everytime we run into each other I have been wearing a different pair of glasses. It always confuses him at first. After a conversation with him at lunch, he told my companion and I that he is proud to have us here and he feels very strongly that we are here for the right reasons. (Please note, he asked if I had a boy waiting for me  back home. SO HILARIOUS! I laughed out loud and told him that of course I don't!)

This past Saturday, one of my best friends (Kyle Bishop) volunteered at the TRC. At the TRC we practice giving lessons in Chinese to members who speak the language. It's mostly good practice to speak Chinese with people who understand what you are talking about and can give you some good feedback. Teaching Kyle was probably the highlight of my weekend. The spirit was really strong in our lesson and we were all uplifted together.

Also this weekend, Sister Latimer and I were called as music coordinators for our branch. This means we pick the hymns for Sacrament ad Priesthood meetings. Awesome!

I've discovered something this past week that has been AMAZING! It's called planning. LOL! In the life of a missionary, you take the time every evening from 9:00-9:30pm to plan for the next day. My favorite part about this is making a language study plan. This essentially means that every minute of everyday is planned out and I am studying Chinese during any down time... Literally. I bring my flashcards to gym and study new vocab while I'm waiting in line to play four square. I have noticed a huge difference in my day since I started doing this. I have been learning roughly 30 words a day plus any extras that I need for my lessons. I have also begun to memorize scriptures. This week I've been memorizing Alma 7:11-12 in Chinese (and I still plan to do verse 13). It's an amazing scriptures.  
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
  12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. 

Basically I have learned a lot about how to make this time the most beneficial. I have noticed since my planning has improved that the gift of tongues has also come easier. Last night, as a district, we read our scriptures together. We usually do this in English, but now we're starting to read in Chinese. We read and discuss the scriptures completely in Chinese. Last night we started in Alma 26. We only made it through the first eight verses. It was amazing to me how much I understood without having to look up the English. When we discussed the scriptures and what we got out of it, I was happy to share my thoughts. I felt very strongly after reading these scriptures that God will truly make me an instrument in his hands. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. I know He will help me learn Chinese and that all my progression comes from His goodness. I shared that with my class. A few other elders added their testimonies to mine. It was a very special moment. And it was all in Chinese. The gift of tongues is real!

Today my companion and I went to the temple (it's the best part about Tuesdays). As we were leaving I ran into my friend Lizzie Tutt from my major at BYU. She comes into the MTC on January 9 (give or take). She's going to Vancouver Canada. I'm so happy for her! I also ran into a girl who enters the MTC in February going to Taiwan Taipei. She told me she was a little nervous, but I told her not to worry because the gift of tongues is real. (I probably sound like a broken record!)

In my personal study everyday I have been devoting about 15 minutes to studying the life of Christ. I decided a week or so ago that I need to start being more like Christ. He really is the greatest role model. I have learned so much since I began this study and I have noticed my heart begin to change. I hope that when people meet me they are reminded of Christ and grow in their desire to know Him better. My most recent personal revelation is about the things I say. I have decided to start being more aware of what I say and also how I say it. Words really do affect people. I don't want to hurt anyone, so it's important to watch myself in that aspect.

I also thought today as I read Matthew 7 about judging others. It's easy to be judgmental, but I really want to start working on doing less of that. It will also probably be easier to speak kindly if there is no judgment in my heart and mind.

I have also decided in my time here (but mostly today) that I need to be better at applying the gospel precepts to my life. Since I desire to be more Christ-like, I know this will really help. Basically I want to do what Nephi mentions in 1 Nephi 19:23. Everything I read, I need to apply to my life in some way. I've dont a much better job of that in the more recent days. Today, while reading the end of Matthew 7 (the parable about the wise man who builds his house on a rock), I decided that someday when I'm a mother, I want to be able to have a stable home where my kids can grow in the gospel and feel comfortable turning to the Lord for all things. I know that's a long time from now, but it's the revelation I received today and I'm sure it will help any mother's who are out there. I know that as we strive to live like Christ, our children (or mine in the future as the case is) will also have the desire to find that happiness that we enjoy through living a virtuous and honorable life. In a world where standards are increasingly lowering, this will be a useful principle to live by.

Lastly, go read Doctrine and Covenants 31:6. It's all about how my family will be blessed during my service. I am happy to be out here and I find great comfort in this promise. I miss you all of course, but I've never felt like I have done anything more important in my life than I am right now. This chruch is true and I am so blessed to be part of the work of helping other people understand their purpose in life. I know that we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. He loves us and will give us the revelation we need to return to him through prophets, scriptures, and our own personal revelation. Continue to seek after the things of God and I know he will bring all things to your knowledge.

I love you so much family. Stay safe. Give everyone an extra hug for me every day (:

Love always,

Sister Micaela Anderson

Another suitor for the princess...12/4/12

and by suitor for the princess i mean letter from the princess.  (:

 

There's kind of a lot to say today, but at the same time not.

First of all, I made the connection on Sunday that President Baker, my branch president out here, was Uncle David's mission president. Cool, huh?

 

Next. Remember how I had that amazing spiritual experience on Thanksgiving? Well after I found out that Grandpa Anderson knows President Brown and President McCiff because they are retired physicians, I resolved to talk to President Brown about it. After the Christmas devotional on Sunday, I headed over to talk to President Brown. Because I was wearing large white glasses and my hair covered my nametag, he didn't recognize me immediately. Once we started talking though, he realized that it was me who had that experience with him on Thanksgiving. He took my hand in his and grasped it tightly. While shaking it he said, "Sister Anderson, that moment that we shared on Thanksgiving was one of the most tender moments I've had with a missionary in my whole experience working at the MTC." I was so touched by what he said. It really was such a great moment for me that Thanksgiving day. It was that moment when I really felt an incredible amount of gratitude for the opportunity I have to be a missionary. I still feel so blessed for this opportunity. Of course I love it here at the MTC and I still/will always have a special place in my heart for the game of four-square. But what means the most to me right now is that every day I have the opportunity to wake up and spend my entire day thinking about what I can do to make myself a better servant of the Lord? I am constantly asking myself the question, "What will I do today to help further the Kingdom of God?" I have never felt more grateful for any opportunity in my whole life. I love the work I am doing. Although I have moments where I feel very down and I feel like my Chinese has peaked, I still feel so grateful for the work I am called to do.

 

I got a letter from Liz this week (so uplifting). She taught me to always follow my promptings with no hesitation. The day after I got that letter from Liz, I received a letter from Sarah (best friend Sarah) which also mentioned something about following promptings. This is my resolve-- I am going to be the kind of missionary that the Lord can trust to give revelation to because I will act upon it immediately.

I also got a good laugh from Liz's letter. I shared some of it with my friends here. I think we can all agree that you (Liz) are a hoot... and I follow in those footsteps. Thank you also for your words about obedience. You're right, it's not a bad thing to be judged for your perfect obedience. I am doing better at being perfectly obedient and I have noticed a difference in the experiences that I am having out here because of it.

 

Tell Grandma Teel that I got her letter. I'm sorry I didn't respond to it by hand. I really appreciated it. Sister Ganowski (whom Grandma mentioned in the letter) is indeed from St. George.

 

Garrett and Braeden, there are letters in the mail for you two today. Also, Shandi/Sam and Mom. You have letters coming too. I wrote these a couple days ago so they are slightly outdated. Lol. Things move so quickly around here!

I pray for you all on a regular basis and I trust that the Lord will keep you safe and protected.

 

Speaking of safe and protected, I don't want to alarm anyone, but I may or may not have a decent sized gash in my head. Whoopsies! Actually it really is nothing bigger than a hilarious story. Yesterday I was scratching my head in the morning and I felt a bump on the top. I figured I just had something stuck in there-- which is actually a weird conclusion to come to. After further examination we realized that the bump was actually my head. I just cut it open slightly and there was some dried blood on it. Sister Burrows washed it off for me and put some stuff on it to keep the oils from my head from infecting it. Here's the crazy part... I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT CAME FROM! Kind of hilarious! I took a picture of it later that you can see when I send my memory card home.

 

Okay be warned, the rest of my letter is entirely spiritual.

 

The other day, I decided that I would be wise of me to memorize Joseph Smith's first vision in Chinese. I spent about forty minutes focusing on that during my language study that same day. (I believe this was Friday). That afternoon we had a lesson with our investigater He Jie Mei in which we talked to her about the restoration. When we got to the part about Joseph Smith, I told her about how he wanted to know which church to join. We read James 1:5 with her and told her that Joseph decided to pray to receive an answer just as the scripture says. Then I lead into the first vision and said "this is what he wrote about his experience." (Except in Chinese). I recounted the first vision to her in Chinese. The spirit was so strong. When I got to the last line "This is my Beloved son, here him" "Zhe shi wode Aizi. Ting Ta Shuo," the spirit was so strong. Tears were filling all of our eyes. I testified to her and I testify to you that Joseph Smith SAW God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Later in the lesson we asked her to kneel with us and pray for herself about our message. After she prayed I invited her to be baptized in January and she said yes! It was the greatest feeling. Even though this is just a case study, I know the spirit was present. The Lord will help me be a teacher of His gospel in Chinese. I have never felt more lifted by Him in my life. The moral of the story is that the church is true. I'm not sure who reads these letters I send home, but if you haven't ever read the Book of Mormon or if you aren't currently reading it diligently, Start Now! There is power in this book that will change your life for eternity. I know that Heavenly Father sent us this book to help us learn and grow. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I invite all who read this to come unto Christ. Read the Book of Mormon. Receive your own personal witness of it's truthfulness.

 

Speaking of the Book of Mormon, I want to share something that I dicided during my studies. In 2 Nephi 28:13, it mentions that the meek will be persecuted. That is unimportant to my story. The important part is the word meek. I have made it my personal goal to become as meek as possible. I spent the next 30 minutes studying what meek is and I came to this conclusion. Matthew 11:28-30. Christ says this "Learn of me; for I am meek." Ultimately, the conclusion I came to about being meek is that what I must do is spend a few minutes everyday studying the life of Christ. As I learn of Him, I will have the desire to always strive to be like Him. As this desire grows in my heart, it will direct my actions. Basically, I can become like Christ. I can be meek and humble like Him, but first I must study Him and learn about Him. I look forward to doing this. I know that as I become more like Christ, I will be able to help bring other closer to Him. I can help people find His gospel and find the peace and happiness that I have felt everyday here.

 

I'm out of time, but I couldn't be happier right now.

 

I love you all immensely.

 

Love,

Sister Micaela Anderson