Week 19

This weekend was awesome! On Friday we went to the church building with a few other zones and the mission office handed out all of our packages from home, along with a few other things from the mission. They made us cool mission t-shirts! It has the California bear and the Nor-Cal star with a map of our mission on it. When we got home to our apartment E. Amos and Choi opened their gifts already. E. George and I exercised our self control and waited 'til Christmas morning :)

Saturday night (Christmas eve) our zone gathered at a member's house and had a bonfire. We played games like the triangle game and the Green Glass Room and other riddles. We roasted marshmallows and hotdogs and starbursts. It was the best zone activity I've had so far... so fun. Good times.

Christmas morning I opened my package from home! One of the best things they sent were pictures from the family reunion and the family beginning of December. I also got a package from the Moab Single's Branch and the Stuckis! It was a good morning.

Both of our ward's cut their meetings to just sacrament meeting. In El Dorado Hills ward we had a neat experience. Manish, an Indian man I met while tracting a month ago, called us and asked if he could attend one of our meetings and bring a few of his family and friends. When I met him before we taught him the restoration and about the Book of Mormon and gave him a copy and invited him to church. So yesterday he came with about ten family members and friends from India! I had the opportunity to sit with Manish and explain sacrament meeting, the sacrament and it's symbolism, and the priesthood. Somehow, you seem to learn and understand more about something when you teach it, and that's what happened to me. Manish and his family had already attended their temple that morning, but they enjoyed the music and the speakers and thanked us for the opportunity to worship Jesus Christ on this significant day of the year, when Christmas falls on a Sunday. He asked if they could have a prayer with us in the ancient language of Sanskrit. So we led them with Bro. Spicer, our ward mission leader, to an empty classroom where Manish explained some of their beliefs. Hindus believe that Jesus Christ is and "incarnation" of God, so just like we take different roles in our lives like son, father, friend, co-worker--God took the form of Jesus. So, they worship Jesus, along with other multiple gods. They led us in a prayer, or chant, in Sanskrit, that lasted maybe five minutes. I didn't understand anything, but it was pretty cool.

Most all of the Hindu and Muslim people I have met (there are many in Folsom) are the most kind and loving people. That is definitely the case with Manish. I love him like a brother.

After church Amos and I headed to a member's house to call our families! I got to call my parents in Highland, where they are visiting my Andrew Grandparents. It was so good to talk to them! There's a big difference between emailing them every week and actually talking with them on the phone. BTW, I didn't cry. All the other missionaries told me I would, but I didn't. Ha :)

Well, that's my Christmas weekend. I hope yours was just as wonderful! Love,

Chris

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 18

This week E. Amos and I have both been sick. I got a cold, and Amos was nauseous, so we had to stay in the apartment for most of the week. It's not like staying home from school, where you can watch movies and play around on the computer, but it was still fun. On Friday Amos had a doctor's appointment in Roseville, which is out of our mission! That was exciting.... something different. We're feeling better now.

Last Monday E. George and I went exploring around the other bridge in Folsom. The American River is so beautiful. The section we were checking out was below the Folsom Lake Dam, so it's really calm water. I caught a little crawdad :) I took some sweet underwater pictures too.

Saturday evening Amos and I were feeling better so we went out to visit a few of our investigators. We were walking down the street when we ran into this guy who started asking us more about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and other doctrine questions. We were so stoked. He took us to his house and we taught him right there. As we taught he asked questions that lead right into the next part of our discussion. At first I wasn't sure if he was just a member pretending to be an investigator, but then I saw a bunch of booze in his kitchen. BUT, he has a really open mind and is receptive. Miracle!

Yesterday a Korean member in our ward brought her nephew to church, Eric. He's nine, his parent's aren't members, but he wants to be baptized. He is a smart kid for his age.... knows a lot about religious history. We taught him last week, but this week we invited him to a baptism date: January 7th! I'm  so stoked. It won't count for a white christmas december baptism, but I don't care. It's a miracle! :)

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 17

Oops, I sent this last week but it failed :P........................

This week was awesome. On Tuesday I got a package with stuff from my family and cousins! They sent a paper Christmas tree that I put up above my desk. And thank you for the spices, I'm going to make wassail tonight :)

On Wednesday we tracted into this guy who is in a band, "Dance Gavin Dance." My companion E. Amos played with them in Miami! The guy gave us both two cool band shirts.

On Thursday our zone combined with a couple others and had a temple conference. It was my first time through the Sacramento Temple... it's pretty similar to the Monticello Temple. It was incredible. And I met Sis. Landon, the Hazlett's cousin! She entered the MTC the same day I did, but stayed there for nine weeks to learn Spanish.

On Friday the member that owns Great Harvest Bread gave us both cards for a loaf of free bread. We got spinach feta and cheddar garlic. Way good.

Tonight we're having dinner at the Nugent's. He likes to draw robots... his video is on Mormon.org.

I love Folsom and El Dorado Hills.

Love ya.

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 16

This is E. Forster and I right before he left on Wednesday. Now it's E. Amos and I! He's a funny guy. He's from Miami, he's a pro skateboarder, competed in the DEW tour, likes to wakeboard, was in a metal band... and he has a cool conversion story. We've had so much fun this week!

Last night we enjoyed the Christmas First Presidency Devotional. The video Henry B. Eyring showed reminded me of the video "Luke II" that my family watches every Christmas eve. I miss visiting Temple Square every December. I can't wait for Christmas!

E. K moved out too and now we have E. Choi. He's way cool - he played rugby for Highland and is a DJ. There are four sisters now: Sis. Foster and Sis. Konou, Sis. DeSpain and Sis. Angimarou.

The work in our wards is picking up and we've added a few new investigators and taught a lot of lessons. No firm baptism dates for December yet! Hopefully next week I'll be able to say that we have a baptism.

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 15

This is most of our zone together this morning -- Elder Bailey and E. Outlaw couldn't come because they got stuck in traffic with the thick fog. From right to left, Sister Konou and Carlos (Carlos is going home tomorrow), Elder Kaluhiokalani is in the board shorts and plaid jacket, that's my daddy above me, and then there's E. George next to me. There's a lot of change happening this transfer! Elder Forster is leaving and I'm getting Elder Amos. I haven't met him but I've heard a lot of great things about him, he's hilarious. E. K is leaving, and of course Sister Carlos is leaving, and Sis. Konou is getting two companions -- one is a "mini-missionary," a local sister preparing to serve her mission but wants experience before she leaves. And then E. Bailey and E. Outlaw are getting "shotgun'ed," which means they're both leaving and two other missionaries will come into the area without knowing anything about the wards. They're going to be sisters! That means that there will be more sisters in our small zone than elders! It will only be E. Amos and I and the zone leaders. Weird. Our zone is the smallest in the mission.

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 14

Happy Thanksgiving! This week's picture is of the gang of turkeys that terrorize our apartments. They're mean ones.

It was a good week. Long one. I was ready for this P-day. This morning E. K and E. Forster and I went to play football in one of our ward's turkey bowl. It was a small game, 7-on-7. Soon after we started playing, it began raining. It rained lightly all morning and afternoon, until the fog rolled in this evening. I love the fog here. It blankets the whole town and softens the city lights. E. Forster and I had dinner at Bishop Langton's. We celebrated Thanksgiving with all of his children and grandchildren... about 20-30 of us.

Next week is transfers. E. Forster's gonna leave, he's been here for six months. Our small zone of eight is probably going to change quite a bit. Most of us have been here for two or more transfers (period of six weeks). I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I'm comfortable with E. Forster and we work well together. What if I get a weirdy for a companion? I guess I'll have to face that eventually.

Well, talk to ya soon... next P-day is only a few days away. Byahh.

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 13

Sorry, no update this week. I'm sending a picture of part of my mission with President and Sister Lewis and Elder and Sister Yamashita from our Zone Conference instead. I'm near the center top.

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 12

Quick one this week. Monday evening our district gathered all the comfy chairs in the church from the foyers and watched the movie "17 Miracles." I had saw it in Moab when it came out, but all the other missionaries hadn't. It was great :) On Wednesday I got my camera in the mail! So now you have pictures.

The mission made a new rule that if you're cold, you can't just wear a sweater or a jacket, you have to wear a suitcoat with a v-neck sweater under it. I only came out with one suitcoat, and I really didn't want to ruin it in the rain and bad weather. But, on Saturday, we went to a member's house and he said he has a bunch of old suits from work that he wouldn't mind giving us if we put them to good use. He gave us 5 SUITS! What a blessing. I got a really cool dark gray one. In the picture, all of the elders in our apartment are sporting our new suits. Next to me is my companion, E. Forster, and then there's E. K and his companion, E. George.

This morning E. George and I went exploring down by the American River. It was crazy foggy. Well, got to go. Love ya.

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 11

Happy Halloween! Actually, halloween isn't my favorite holiday. People put up the ugliest decorations in their front yard and wear the nastiest costumes. But, it means an all-day P-day! Instead of going back to work tonight at 6 like usual, our zone is going to get together and do something. We don't know what yet, the zone leaders are keeping it a secret.

 

This week was busy. On Monday, after I wrote, I tried to catch one of those stupid turkeys that roam the neighborhood. I was closing in on it, and started running to jump on it. I wasn't paying attention to where I was running and I slipped on wet grass and ate it... in my shirt and tie. Elder Forster caught it on video. Embarrassing. I wanted that turkey SO BAD!!! One day...

 

On Tuesday we helped paint an investigator's living room. They're painting the whole inside of the house a very light green. I was up on the ladder with the roller on a long pole to reach the high walls. I love doing service. It's gratifying work, to be able to see the results as you work... not something you see too much while working in the field. Plus, I just like the physical labor.

 

On Wednesday we taught an investigating family the restoration. The father's a member, but hasn't been to church since he was twelve, when he was baptized with his family. He said he remembers doing baptisms for the dead in the temple though. He drinks, but has cut down since his girlfriend moved in and they had a baby. The mother doesn't know much about the church and is not sure there's a God. Together they live with their son, who's like 1 or 2. They are a wonderful family, and I believe they're pretty sincere. I see so much potential in them, but a lot of change will have to happen.

 

On Thursday... nothing much happened.

 

On Friday we had zone conference. A third of the mission got together and we received training from President and Sister Lewis and other senior couples. And, we had a special guest... Elder Yamashita and his wife! He spoke in the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference about missionaries (click on his name and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the link to his talk). Elder Yamashita (yam-AH-shita, not yama-shita) and his wife just moved from Japan to SLC three months ago, and now they are touring stakes and missions in the western US. They just sent off their last son on a mission. As all of us missionaries arrived, he stood with President Lewis and their wives to shake our hands and greet us. He asked where I was from and I told him. "OH! Mow-wab! We went there! Arches!" Then his wife (who's still learning English, but is pretty good for only three months) understood and said, "dessert." I said, "Yep, it's a desert" with a smile :) During our training (it lasts almost all day), Elder Yamashita spoke about the Doctrine of Christ and special responsibilities we have as missionaries. He said something that really impressed me, that it is our "responsibility to convert, not just to baptize." A lot of times missionaries get caught up in numbers, and we can't just consider our work done when the baptism is over. Our attitude as we talk to people, as we teach, and as we help people progress, should be to help truly convert people, not convince them to be baptized. And that can only happen with the Spirit.

 

Sister Yamashita did training too. She told us that we need to "open our mouths!" and held up an origami mouth that opened and closed when she pulled it. It was hilarious, everybody laughed. She handed out squares of paper and taught us all how to fold it into a big mouth. It was great :)

 

That evening E. Forster and I went to the "Harvest Festival" for our ward in El Dorado Hills. It was a great party; no Halloween costumes, live bluegrass music from a family in the ward, a talent show, and contests. Kinda reminded me of the Pumpkin Chuckin' Fest back home :) Except not as cool. They had a pie-eating contest, and they pressured me into joining. I really didn't want to 'cause I was already full and I hate pumpkin pie, but I had to. I was strengthing the ward relationship, right? I don't think it was worth it. :P

 

On Saturday we went to an investigator's house to help her with her yard. She has a lot of pain in her wrists, so she can't do a whole lot with her hands. We mowed her small lawn, pulled weeds, turned over soil, and cut bird netting for her raised beds. It was a beautiful day, I didn't even break a sweat. She had peppers and a lot of herbs like rosemary and thyme. I love working in gardens. When I get old I'm gonna have a garden with tomatoes and peppers and raspberries and garlic and a lot of other plants. When we left she fed us pancakes and gave us some delish organic snacks. She's awesome, but doesn't have much motivation to go to church or read the Book of Mormon. Someday!

 

On Sunday the sister's had a baptism that we went to. Our zone had six baptisms this month! We were all set up to get eight, but two people used their free-agency and decided to wait. Eight in one month is the record for this zone, and I wanted so bad to break it and get nine. When a zone breaks a baptism record, President Lewis takes the whole zone out for lunch. But, I'm so glad we were able to get six people, that's unusual for this zone! And, the goal for the whole mission this month was 80... a pretty big number. Guess how many we got... eighty-five! None of the elders I've talked to can remember a time when we've gone over the mission goal, ever. We've truly been blessed. 

 

Well, that about sums up this week. Love ya,

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

 

PS just for the fun of it, I counted. Guess how many hands I shook this week? 75. That's a lot of germs.

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Week 10

Man, this week has flown. First week of my second transfer! It's been alright. We added a lot of new investigators last week, but they've all flaked on appointments this week and they haven't been home when we've dropped by. I guess that's missionary work.

Elder Yagi got transferred and E. George moved in! He's really tall, from Idaho, and likes to canyoneer and photograph. We hit it off pretty well. He's been all over Zion NP and other slot canyons in Utah. Late nights we talk about the adventures we've had in the desert. He's pretty adventurous. This morning we went exploring in the ravine next to our apartment! We found wild raspberries and a cool creek flowing through the trees. Nature! :) He took some pictures I'm sending.

Scripture that gave me comfort this week: 2nd Nephi 33. We knocked on this black woman's door who was very angry at us and hates the Mormon Church. She tried to convince us that the prophets Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were false prophets and that the Book of Mormon was sent "straight from the pit of hell." She was really angry. The next morning I happened to read this chapter in my Book of Mormon study. I'll share my favorite verses:

2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
5 And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil.
11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
 14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.

Powerful. Needless to say, reading this chapter was an answer to prayers.

On a weird side note, Elder Kaluhiokalani makes "Spam musubis" for lunch sometimes. He fries slices of spam in "oyster-flavored sauce" (don't ask), sprinkles it with sesame seeds and chopped seaweed and then wraps it with rice in sheets of dried seaweed. It sounds gross, but it's pretty good. I wish I was Hawaiian.

My mormon.org profile showed up! Here it is: http://mormon.org/me/5JVZ/
And this is a guy in my ward in El Dorado Hills: http://mormon.org/me/1K72/

I love you! Peace,

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 9

Today... is the last day of my first transfer! A transfer lasts six weeks. I'm staying with Elder Forster in Folsom. This will be E. Forster's fourth transfer in Folsom. I'll probably stay in this area another transfer after this, but get a new companion in December. Also, I'm two today! Only 22 more months left... it goes by fast.

 

In December our mission has what we call a "White Christmas." Even though it doesn't snow here, our "white Christmas" is a goal to baptize many truly converted people. We've set a goal to baptize 101 people for the whole mission in the month of December! That's a big number, but the reason it's a hundred and one is to put emphasis on the one. It's exciting work! I'm excited for investigators I teach during my first year on my mission because that means that if they stay worthy and keep progressing, they'll be able to go through the temple in one year, while I'm still out here. I would love that, to attend the temple with the people that I have taught and grown to love.

 

I'm excited for my first Christmas in the mission! It's an all-day P-day, we get to call home, and we get to go to the temple. The mission office holds all packages to missionaries received in December until a few days before Christmas. If you send anything, I would love stuff like music, ties, and pictures. Please send pictures! I want to see what you guys are doing. And, I love pictures of mountains! Sacramento doesn't have a lot of those :P pictures of Moab, the river, torn-out pages from calendars ... I'd love that. Keep in mind there's also rules for the music we listen to. To quote the white handbook, "do not listen to music that pulls your thoughts away from your work, merely entertains, has romantic lyrics or overtones, or dulls your spiritual sensitivity by it's tempo, beat, loudness, lyrics, or intensity." I like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, acoustic guitar, banjo, folk-y type music, Disney soundtracks, and I've even started to like Enya? And ties, they have to be "conservative in color, pattern, width, and length." I can't wear light-colored ties like yellow or light blue, that's considered "apostate" :) But I love polyester ties!

 

Well, it's a short one this week... I don't have much to report, just working hard. I promise I'll write more soon. I love you,

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 8

Hey guys! It's been a great week... we had a baptism, my first!

On Tuesday I went to a "New Missionary Meeting." My whole MTC district was there with their trainer and we received training from President and Sister Lewis. They're awesome. It was so good to see all of them again. They all are doing so great. That afternoon I went on splits with one of the AP's (assistants to the president) and tracked a street. He said something that I'll remember for the rest of my mission, that when people close their door or walk away from us, they're not rejecting us, they're rejecting our message of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. He said, "It's going to be hard when I go home and ask a girl out and get shut down... then it's just me they don't like!" Elder Bellingham is an awesome missionary, I don't think he'll get turned down by many girls.

On Wednesday it rained a lot, and a cold front came through. We could see our breath! That was a nice change... the weather lately has been keeping things interesting. And I got letters from the primary! Thank you for your pictures and drawings. And thank you Kerri for sending them with your notes :D

On Thursday our zone combined with the Carmichael zone and had training from Pres. and Sis. Lewis. They've been meeting with each zone individually these past weeks and have been working with them. After the meeting, President Lewis decided to come out with Elder Forster and I to work. Elder Forster had never had that happen before; we were so nervous! We had a lesson with Jody, met with a former investigator, and contacted and tracted (Contact: talking to everyone you see on the street. Tract: knocking doors). President Lewis was awesome; he validated everything we did and said, and brought so much to the lessons. He's like a father to us. I love him.

On Friday, Jody got baptized! We were supposed to have it two weeks ago, but scheduling the font and other issues got in the way. I was all for just going down to the river and doing it there, but it didn't happen :( Jody was so ready. She wanted me to baptize her, although I had only been teaching with her for a few weeks! I was so nervous. I was so nervous that I forgot to say "Amen." at the end of the baptism prayer before I dunked her! That was embarrassing. I had to do it over again. Man, pick the green missionary to do it.... But besides that, it was an incredible baptism. Elder Forster said that it was the most spiritual one he's had, and I believe him. I hear that most investigators aren't like Jody; one day the missionaries were walking around the apartment complex and she came up to him and said, "I want to be baptized." She has sacrificed a lot, and now her baptism has meant a lot. She changed her lifestyle, her habits, and has become a new person. It's been awesome to see the change in her life.

Saturday we attended the baptism of two siblings by the zone leaders, E. Yagi and E. Kalhiokalani (the Hawaiian). That's three for the month of October already! We are working and praying for eight this month... it's take a miracle, but it can be done. The record number of baptism for this zone in one month is eight. We have a lofty goal this month!

In church on Sunday we had the confirmation of Jody. That was a spiritual experience too. She'll do wonderfully in the church.

This morning E. Yagi and I went trail running down by the American River. If I had known about that trail, we'd have been running every morning! It was beautiful. We ran out onto the foot bridge, over the calm water. The water is so clear, and the rocks are so sharp and the birds were singing... it was great. I love the outdoors. Right now it's raining outside. I love it after it rains, the air is so fresh and the mountains in the distance are sharp and clear. Everything is so clean.

Have a great week. I love you!

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 7

Dear Friends and Family,

 

How'd you all like General Conference? It was incredible. I have been looking forward to it for weeks. General Conference for missionaries is kinda different. Before my mission I didn't realize the importance of the words of a Prophet and Apostles. I was a little apathetic even. Now it's night and day difference. Every missionary says the same. This Conference I was truly uplifted. Here in California we watch the live sessions at 9am and 1pm, so it's at the same time in Utah. It was great to sing, pray, and learn with all of you.

 

I learned a lot about missionary work in the inspired messages of this Conference. Pre-mission, I wish I would've been been more involved with missionary work and better prepared to share the gospel. I loved the scripture that Richard G. Scott quoted, that we must always be prepared to share the message of the gospel wherever we are. 1 Peter 3:15 "...be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you..." Share your beliefs, share your testimony, share your love.

 

I also love the Golden Questions (questions used by missionaries to make people really think and open their hearts) "What do you believe about Jesus Christ? What are you doing because of your belief?" I'm going to use that one this week :) It's bold, but that's our job.

 

Other than Conference, nothing really exciting happened this week. On Tuesday I cut my own hair! My companion has a hair-cutting razor thing, and let me borrow it. I cut it way short! I can barely part it. It looks pretty funny, but it's starting to blend in a little bit.

 

One evening this week we had dinner at the Holtry's. They are an older couple in the ward. When I told them I was from Moab, they said on their mission they knew an elder from Moab too! They told me they served in Spokane, WA about 5-6 years ago. They couldn't remember the elder's name, but he was a riverguide and a fast runner. "Elder Stucki! Yeah, I love the Stucki family, they live down the street from my home and we're great friends." I told them what I knew about Ryan and what he's doing now.

 

Love!

 

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

 

PS It's good to hear Brian and Angela are back! Tell them hi :)

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Week 6

Happy fall! The past few days have been lovely out here. Cool, a little breezy, just nice. I rode my bike for the first time this week. It's a lot heavier than my mountain bike, but it was fun.

I'm pretty stoked for Conference. My companion and I will probably go over to member's houses and watch it with our investigators. Speaking of Conference, guess who's on page 41 of the General Conference Ensign May 2011? Kyle Cannon with a family on his mission. Cool, huh?

Every P-day our zone gets with another nearby zone and plays a sport. Last week was football, and this week was ultimate frisbee. I've seen a few of my buddies from the MTC district! It's been great to talk to them and see how mission life is going. We have all grown and learned so much.

Well, I don't have much to say this week, so I'll just talk a little bit about my area. In Folsom and El Dorado Hills there are many gated communities with very nice houses. The members there are very nice, but others are rude. We try to tract in normal neighborhoods and apartment complexes. I've have seen SO many BMWs. On the drive from Folsom to El Dorado there is a long road over these beautiful golden rolling hills, and at one point, you can see the Sierra Nevadas... waaaay off in the distance. It's really pretty. Then we're back in the city. The American River is SO pretty. I just want to jump in so bad. I hear it has really good rafting, too. Some moments I wish I wasn't a missionary... I guess I'll just have to come back after my mission. The wards and the members are very similar to our wards back in Utah, even most the women dress the same. Our bishops and ward mission leaders are so great, they're such a help.

Quote I like from this week: "One filled with joy preaches without preaching." Mother Theresa

Well... the Church is true. I love you. Byahh.

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week 5

I'm one-month old! My birthday was on Saturday. This week has been great. On Wednesday we had exchanges (when you work with a different elder for a day), and I had to drive and keep the cell phone in my pocket. Man, that was weird. If any of you are familiar with my driving and sense of direction, you can bet I got lost a few times.

 

When we plan, we set goals on how many people we're going to contact, teach lessons to, get referrals from, etc. It was hard for me to have a number, you know... they're people, not a personal goal to make your zone leaders happy. I felt like I wasn't doing it for the right reasons. After a while I realized that we should have names of specific people to back up our goals and numbers. It's much better to think about it that way; helps you see the importance of each person. The gospel is all about the individual--all about the one.

 

There are a couple quotes that are gems from this week--we where talking to a few young adults one evening and out of the blue one of the guys asked, "You guys get all the ladies, right?" We weren't quite sure how to answer that one...

Then there was the woman who said, as she was closing her door on us, "I don't believe in missionaries." Ouch, an elder was just struch dead somewhere. I felt like saying, "I do believe in missionaries, I do, I do!"

 

There are wild packs of turkeys that roam the streets here. It's so random. There's a flock next to our apartment. I'll get a picture sometime. And on most houses that have stucco, there are tiny little frogs that cling to the walls. They're cool too.

 

The other night E. Forster and I knocked on the door of Muhammad, a Muslim. We got into a deep discussion about the Quar'an and the Book of Mormon. Actually, he didn't give us much time to talk at all, and he mostly talked about the Quar'an. We asked him how he know the Quar'an is true. He told us about all the doctors and scientists and smart people who believe in the Quar'an and are Islam. He told us about how much the book makes sense and is true because it agrees with the Bible. He gave us a lot of history about the book as well. It is revelation through Muhammad, and he wrote it exactly how he heard it... such as, "Tell the people such and such..." Muslims believe that God can't appear to anyone, and that's why Joseph Smith's account isn't true. I wanted to share the scripture mastery that says Moses talked with God face to face, but I couldn't get a chance. We tried to ask him a few other questions, but his testimony in his religion was just as strong as ours is in the Book of Mormon. He is a very educated man and he has studied many religions. He was very kind, and gave us watermelon while he did his prayers, you know how they wear the white cap and stand up and down on the rug? That was cool. When we had to leave, he told us how much he loved us and hugged us. Great man. Just a little misled... and he thought the same about us.

My favorite part of every day is dinner. It's always at a member's home and it's refreshing to talk to people who like you. The other night we had dinner at the Santero's. Sister Santero likes to rock climb and mountain bike. We talked a lot about where she has been, what levels and styles we climb, and stuff like that. It was awesome. A few of the members cook food that they have grown in their gardens... fresh! One fact that has been hard for me to deal with is that most people don't want to talk to me. They see the ties and name tags and don't make eye contact. People even tell us through their doors, "Go away!" I like being liked, but that's just the way life goes.

 

Well, I hope life is just great for you all. Life is good for me. I love you all and have a great week!

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week #4

This week has been awesome. I flew into Sacramento on Tuesday, spent the night at the Assistants to the President's home, and then was assigned an area and companion the next day. My companion is awesome! His name is Elder Forster, from Salt Lake City. He likes to ride motocross and he hunts, too. He's really chill, and we work well together. My first observation of Sacramento is that it's really flat. There's one area north in the mission that is hill-y and you can see the mountains: El Dorado Hills. I was praying, "please, I wanna go there!" I was assigned the El Dorado Hills ward! We also cover another ward, Folsom 4th. They are both great wards. All the members ask us if we already have dinner set up, and every night we always have dinner at a member's house. Most of the members I've talked to visit Utah frequently, and most of them have been to Moab at least once. I talked with one guy yesterday about the White Rim Trail for a while. It's awesome. The people in this town are somewhat better-off, so the investigators are harder to come by, but the work is great. We have a baptismal date! Jody is getting baptized on the 24th. Exciting stuff! I'm still learning about what we do and how we do it, so I don't think I'm all that effective yet, but I'm working on it.

ALL the roads here have medians dividing the lanes. And I've only seen one Arizona and one Missouri licence plate. That's kinda weird to a kid who grew up in Moab, seeing plates from all over every day. But the weather here is just like southeastern Utah! Hot and dry, feels like home :) The water tastes gross, nothing like Moab water. Cherish it.

So out in the mission field, we have a special way of keeping track of our lives. I was "born" here in Folsom, and Elder Forster is my "dad." Every month I have a birthday, until I turn 24. Then I "die." I remember my "pre-existence" well, and my friends and family there love me and are cheering for me :)

Funny, huh? Anyways, if I had done anything to prepare myself better for a mission, I would've been more involved with the missionaries in Moab and inviting my friends to meet with them. I understand better now how much the members help in missionary work.

I just got a message saying that my camera won't be here for another couple weeks. As soon as I get it, I promise to include pictures every week!

Life is good.

Love you all!

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

PS you can mail me at the address above. The mission office just forwards it to my apartment.

Sterling Holden and Kerri Fife, if you read these letters, you should mail me and tell how you're doing. I want your addresses.

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Week #3

Tomorrow I fly to Sacramento! I'm so excited to leave. I'm going to miss learning and being with my district everyday though. We'll see each other every now and then in the field. Yesterday I was able to participate in a blessing for Elder Ricks, an elder in my district and roommate. The blessing made me realize how important it is to worthily hold the priesthood. It was a pretty cool experience. He had sprained his ankle pretty badly playing soccer and now he has to stay at the MTC at least another week.

 

Elder Jeffery R. Holland came and spoke at the Tuesday devotional last week! That was neat. His message was mostly about always remembering (even after our missions) who we are--representatives of Jesus Christ. He became pretty heated about it, which was a little intimidating. I kinda wished that Elder Richard G. Scott had spoken instead :) At one point Elder Holland spoke of the people who have sacrificed everything, including their lives, for the work, "most recent of which was only four hours ago." Nobody knew or could find out what he meant by that until yesterday, in our Sunday devotional. The MTC President, Pres. Brown, informed us that it was a sister missionary in New York who was driving and was hit by another car, and died. Sad. In the same devotional Pres. Brown said, "You never know what tomorrow will bring, but you control your destiny by what you do today."

 

One funny thing about these devotionals: every missionary in the MTC attends these, and they ALL bring their notepads and pens. When the speaker seems like he's about to say something important, you see every missionary bend over their papers and click 3,000 pens. Crazy, huh?

 

A simple pleasure every day: peeing clear because I'm hydrated. That's one habit that I can take from home and keep my whole mission :) I've already lost my summer tan, calluses, and bleached leg hairs! I love talking to people about Moab. Almost every missionary is from Utah or Idaho here, so most of them have visited Moab at least once in their lives. "Oh, you went on a river trip for youth conference? That's my company!" :)

 

I don't have any more time, but I wanted to include one more funny thing: when ever an elder walks out of the room or goes to the bathroom, my companion says, "Don't die. That's one piece of advice that will last you a lifetime." Haha, what an odd duck. Anyways, I love you all!

 

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

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Week #2

Only one more week here in the Missionary Training Center! I'm so excited to get to California. I leave next Tuesday at 8am, arrive in Sacramento 12pm. Yeehaw! This week was pretty good. We got a new teacher, Sister Lautaha, from Hawaii. She is new and being trained by one of our old teachers, Bro. Yorgason. Bro. Taylor got moved to teaching another class. That's a bummer (he's the one that was like Joe Heywood), but Sis. Lautaha is great too.

 

I ran into Elder Danny Marshall, Big Chris's nephew! That's pretty cool to talk to him. I remember going with Grandpa to drop him off at his friend's house just before he went into the MTC and thinking, "Man, that's me in a month." Now I'm here, and I'm sure my other friends are waiting anxiously to come... Logan, Caleb, you know who you are.

 

Every Sunday and Tuesday evening we have an MTC devotional. Last Sunday one of the MTC presidency talked to us; he used to be a mission medical director. He talked about missionary health things and not doing anything stupid. He shared a story about one Elder who thought it would be cool to hurdle a row of garbage cans and ended up breaking his leg and hip. He was sent home for a while to heal before he was able to finish his mission. In middle of the story, I remembered, "Hey, he's talking about Preston Bishoff!" Haha, cool, huh?

 

Hopes: I hope I get a really good companion out in the field. I hope he's hard-working, obedient, and likes to run.

Dreams: I dream that my mission experience will be the best, and that I will have no regrets.

Secret Crushes: We're not allowed to have those.

We had a tie swap last night! The hot design around here is paisley. I got some good ones. One of them has an inflatable pillow inside it for those sleepy sacrament meetings :)

 

Wanna hear a joke? It's borderline inappropriate. One of the Elders in my district told it. "So a pirate walks into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why do you have a steering wheel in your pants?' The pirate said, 'Yarr, it's driving me nuts!'" I laughed the hardest I have this week when I heard this joke :)

 

I would send pictures, but my camera is being repaired and hasn't been sent back to me yet. I hope it gets here before I leave. Well, I'll talk to ya'll next week, in California! Love you lots,

 

 

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

PS After I get to Sacramento next week, I might change my address from the mission office to my apartment address. Just keep that in mind if you write me soon.

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Week 1

Hey friends! I only have 30 minutes on this computer at the MTC, so I'll have to keep it short. This week has been crazy; so much stuff I have to learn and memorize I feel guilty taking all this time to write you guys. Our Sacramento district has five companionships, and we have two teachers who help us learn the material and how to teach investigators. Their names are Bro. Yorgason and Bro. Taylor, both students at BYU and RMs. They have been a blessing to me personally, because one teacher has the mannerisms of and teaches like Bro. Jackman, my seminary and instutute teacher, and the other has the mannerisms of and teaches like Joe Heywood, my priest quorum's advisor. It's been easy to learn from them. I see Morgan Wills (Argentina) and Mike Nelson (Florida) a lot too! By these things and other tender mercies I know that the Lord truly knows what we need, exactly when we need it.

 

My companion's name is Elder Joshua Hubbard. He is from Clinton, UT and has a very distinct Utah'n accent. He likes computer games and big words. I really like him a lot, and we understand each other pretty well. I was worried I might get a difficult or disobedient companion, but I'm safe with Elder Hubbard. We are learning to teach investigators with the Holy Ghost.

 

The Missionary Training Center is great. The food is great (esp. the salad bar, soups, and delicious wraps). The Spirit is great. The blessed gym-time every day is great. Everything is just great. The hardest thing for me was adjusting to the different lifestyle. I miss getting up and being on the river, or mountain biking, or jammed in a slot canyon, or rock climbing. It's a pain to wear Sunday clothes every day. Sitting at a desk learning and studying for 8-10 hours a day is hard. It's not that fun not being able to see for miles 'cuz a ton of really tall building are everywhere you look. And there's a lot of rules. But the Spirit makes it all better. I'm so glad I'll be gone in two more weeks. I'm stoked for Sacramento.

 

I've become very good friends with the Elders in my district. We only have Elders, and we play the color game all the time (burp or fart and everyone says a color--last one to say a color gives everyone compliments. It's a river game). We trust each other, and we've become a tight-knit group.

 

Now for two funny things: On our way back from the missionary exercise field across the road from the MTC, we saw two police cars with their lights flashing and two more officers with big rifles, standing next to the fence of the MTC. We joked, "Someone escaped!" Everyone laughed. And #2, with all these new shirts and layers of clothes, I've gotten the biggest belly-button lint balls of my life. Just visualize that image for a moment.

 

Well, time's about up, so I better go. I'll send as many letters as I can, but just keep in mind that I don't have a whole lot of time here at the MTC. Thank you for your prayers and love. I love you all,

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

 

PS. I LOVE LOVE LOVE mail. Here's my address at the MTC for two more weeks:

 

Elder Chris Andrew

MTC Mailbox #173

CA-SAC 0906

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604-1793

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See ya later!

Well guys, I'm going into the MTC this afternoon! Wish me luck. So stoked! (picture: family and I after church August 14, 2011)

--

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Talk (farewell) on the Power of the Priesthood

Priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. It is the greatest power on this earth. The priesthood is the power by which the heavens and earth were created, and the power by which man was created. In Moses 1:39 the Lord informs us that it is by the power of the priesthood that we may obtain eternal life and live with God. "For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Focus your mind on the words work and glory, two descriptive terms of the power of the priesthood. That brings us to a scripture in D&C 18:10, 15-16 "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people (work), and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father (glory)!

And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" If we work to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, we will have joy in a kingdom of glory.

What does the power of the priesthood mean for us? All worthy male members of the church can hold the priesthood. Church leaders are given the keys of the priesthood to organize and lead the church as the Spirit directs. I quote True to the Faith: "The most important exercise of the priesthood takes place in the family. Each husband and father in the Church should strive to be worthy to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. With his wife as an equal partner, he presides in righteousness and love, serving as the family's spiritual leader. He leads the family in regular prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. He works with his wife to teach the children and help them prepare to receive the ordinances of salvation (see D&C 68:25-28). He gives priesthood blessings for direction, healing, and comfort." 

My father has taught me the importance of living worthily in order to have the Spirit and be prepared to give priesthood blessings. There are several experiences throughout my lifetime when he has been able to give me a priesthood blessing. I have received father's blessings for sickness, for comfort, for help in making important decisions. My dad blessed me along with Brother Arehart when I became sick in March of last year. Recently, he blessed me in preparing mentally to serve a mission. I was speaking with my parents one evening and expressed why I was nervous to leave on a mission. I was reluctant to go. I asked my dad to give me a blessing. After he did, I felt calm and reassured.

My father also taught me the importance of the Melchizedek priesthood. On a Saturday morning earlier this year he asked me to come with him and brother York to see Wendell Roth, who was ill and in need of a priesthood blessing. When we arrived, my dad asked me to administer the anointing of the oil. This was one of my first experiences with holding the Melchizedek priesthood. I didn't have a small vial of oil yet, and was given a large bottle of consecrated olive oil. I was so nervous that, as I applied the oil, I dumped a puddle on Brother Roth's head-- "For more blessings," we joked. I had help with the words, and I closed in the name of Jesus Christ. It was a simple prayer, but I felt the Spirit.

What are specific blessings of worthily holding the priesthood? In D&C 121:45-46 the Lord promises, "Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." President David O. McKay promised every man who uses the priesthood in righteousness that he "will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never failing source of happiness—a well of living water springing up unto eternal life" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 116).

Most recently, the place where I've felt the Spirit strongest was in the temple. The covenants and ceremonies there are very much a part of the priesthood. If you have been through the temple, or have been to a temple open house, you know what the Celestial room is. It is a beautiful room at the end of the endowment session where you can pray, read scripture, and receive inspiration. The Spirit is very strong there, and I feel happiness in the Celestial room.

The power of the priesthood is very sacred. True to the Faith explains, "Priesthood holders must remember that the priesthood should be a part of them at all times and in all circumstances. It is not like a cloak that can be put on and taken off at will. Any ordination to a priesthood office is a call to lifelong service, with the promise that the Lord will qualify priesthood holders to do His work according to their faithfulness. Priesthood holders must be worthy in order to receive and exercise priesthood power. The words they speak and their everyday behavior affect their ability to serve. Their behavior in public must be above reproach. Their behavior in private is even more important. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord declared that "the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness" (D&C 121:36)."

For young men age 19 and older, duties of the priesthood entail serving a full-time mission. Serving is the key word there. James E. Faust said: "Caring for others is the very essence of priesthood responsibility. It is the power to bless, to heal, and to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. Righteous priesthood authority is most needed within the walls of our own homes. It must be exercised in great love." As a missionary, you are supposed to love your companion and the people you teach. Without love, it's hard to have a desire to serve. In Moroni it speaks of the true love of Christ.

"45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." As a missionary, it is my desire to gain charity, that pure love of Christ, and grow that love for the rest of my life.

In closing, I would like to share my favorite scripture, which also testifies of the power of the priesthood. 

"22  And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

23  For we saw Him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father--

24  That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." Doctrine and Covenants 76: 22-24

I testify of the power of the priesthood. I know that it is the power of God, and that by living righteously, we can access that power. I know that this is the true church, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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The count-down begins...

One week until I enter the Missionary Training Center! My MTC report time is 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, August 17th. I don't know what day of the week my preparation day, or p-day is, but this site will automatically post my weekly emails. To get these updates in your inbox, enter your email in the white box on the right of this page. You can mail stuff (pretty please) to:

Elder Chris Andrew

California Sacramento Mission

8267 Deseret Ave

Fair Oaks, CA 95628

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.