JOURNAL WORTHY DAY!

So, I haven't been too good at keeping up on my journal, but I feel like today is definitely a "Journal Worthy" day. Elder Pyne and I woke up to go work out we did our thing and then came back to the apartment.  We finished getting ready for our day and  I ran out to the car to grab something...and well....we couldn't find the car...so Elder Pyne and I came to 2 conclusions...One...that someone jacked the missionaries car...or 2 we got towed....We decided it was probably the latter of the two scenarios and called the towing company,  Needless to say, they had our car....And loved to tell me that we owe them 150.00 Dollars!!!!....So I called my Zone leaders and was talking to Elder Morrill.  I ask him what do I do? He told me that I needed to make sure I had enough money to pay for the car so I needed to call home.  Way Cool!!!  So being an obedient missionary I called home.  I got to talk to my Dad, who was more than suprised that I was calling him, and then mom was super pumped! haha,  Mom made sure that I had all that I needed.

All in all I figure it was been a pretty weird day/cool so far. Not to mention we probably have gotten 3inches  of rain so far today...and it's still pouring!!!

Hope you all can get a laugh out of this.  Hopefully it can brighten your day :)

I love you all and miss you all!
Love,
Dakota Thomas Anderson!

3 for the 10th!

So in the last post on here we were teaching one of our less active's family. We have since then taught three lessons to them and they are now all on date for the 10th of december!! :) Hope everyone had an amazing thanks giving! Again, I love you all. Hope everyone has an amazing holiday season! Alyways in my thoughts and prayers.
Dakota Thomas Anderson

Missionary News this Week

    THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF SUCKEDDDDD!!!!!!! dropped 5 times. all our investigators fell off date!! and then Sunday happened.... We invited one of our less actives to church and asked if he could give us a ride. He hadn't been to church in 5 years or so. He came and said he wants to go back again! 

Now "Ernie's" family aren't members. He is married to a catholic lady and her kids are living with them.So on the way home from church I asked "Ernie" if we could talk to his family and his wife's kids (who are married with kids too) about the gospel...He told me we could try but it  probably wouldn't be of any use. I figured at this point I was willing to try anything to get some new investigators...WOW THE LORD IS AMAZING!! All of a sudden "Ernie's" wife and her daughter, and her husband started talking about religion. Some how I taught the plan of Salvation. I feel bad being a trainer some times...I often teach an entire lesson with Elder Pyne saying 1 or 2 sentences. It's not that I don't trust him. I just get going and I'm off like a rocket! 

But anyways right as I was about to wrap up the lesson "Oren", the husband of "Ernie's" wife's daughter asks "when will you be back" So we set up an appointment for tonight at 8! Please pray for this family. I know they feel the spirit so much, but as we all know prayers always help.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach the gospel to others.  I know that this church is true!

I love hearing from all  of you!!!  Miss you and love you all so much!  I keep you in my prayers every day!

Love, Your son, your favorite bro!!!

Dakota Thomas Anderson 

Trainer ... The Lord qualifies whom He calls.

My new companion and greenie is Elder Pyne.  He is from Utah.  He played right tackle in high school.  I should be his trainer until January 20th.  Mom, as far as a trainer goes I basically show him the ropes and make a copy of me and put him out in the field. :)  On November 12th we had the opportunity to baptize another young lady into the church.  I think that it is petty awesome for Elder Payne to be out in the mission field 2 weeks and having his first baptism.  I was asked to confirm Mac (name changed) as a member of the church.  It was an overwhelming experience.  It is an awesome to feel the spirit of the Lord and be able to share it with others.

Dressed in White

    A recent convert that moved into our ward called us on October 17, 2011.  She said that her 10 year old daughter Kelly (name changed) wanted to be baptized!  What a way to start our P-Day.  She is scheduled to be baptized on November 12, 2011.  My second baptism.  It feels so good to be able to bring one of our Heavenly Father's choice daughters to the light of the gospel.  She has a great testimony, and a beautiful spirit.  The ward will welcome her in with open arms.  Thanks for all the prayers in our  ( Elder Bates and mine)    be-half and of those that we are teaching.  The Lord blesses us in so many ways to accomplish his work.
     We had another baptism on October 20th, again a recent converts daughter who is 13.   I know that I told you that transfers were coming up and I wasn't sure what or where I would be at.  But I just got the word that I will be staying in Spotsylvania. (YEA!) and I will also be becoming a trainer.  WOW!  A lot to take in.   I am so grateful to be serving a mission and I am seeing the Lord work miracles in the lives of the people here in Virginia.  Remember that I love you all.  I have the best family ever!
     Love,
         Your Son, your brother, your friend.  Dakota Thomas Anderson
                                                      P.S.  Only 48 days till Christmas!

Look Around

I want to tell you about a lady that we were blessed to meet.  Her name is Sally (name changed).  She is in her 30's and she has a 3 year old son.  We had been told about this member and that she was not doing well.  Elder Bates and I went over to see her, to meet her, get to know her, and perhaps be able to teach her non-member mom.  Well, we were in for a shock when we got to her home.  Sally just has a few weeks left to live-if even that.  She is just hanging on by a thread.  It broke my heart to see her or anyone in such a condition.  She will be leaving her son to be raised by his grandparents.  Elder Bates and I could not do to much for her other than to talk with her and hopefully bring her some peace.  We offered to pray with her, also offering to give her a blessing if she so desired.  She did ask us to give her a blessing.  After the anointing, Elder Bates pronounced a marvelous upon her.  He blessed her with comfort and told her that Heavenly Father was so excited to see her and receive her home with open arms.
What a marvelous day it will be when we are able to go and give our Heavenly Father a big hug as we are returning home from a long trip.
Mom, I cannot wait ti give you and dad a big hug after my trip here is through.
Moral if the Story though:
If you ever think that your burdens, your trials, your fears or anything that could be possibly holding you back is too much to bare.  LOOK AROUND!  There are people in the world who unbeknownst to us have it far worse than we could ever imagine.  Don't ever back down! Don't ever quit when there are trials before you.  Push through it and as the famous quote goes, "Come what may and love it.
Love your son,
Dakota

We also have 3 people on date for baptism.  1 for the 20th of October and 2 for November 5th.  Hopefully I can stay in Spotsylavania for another transfer.  Otherwise I might not be here for the last 2, because transfers are on the 27 of October.  But, hopefully next week I can have my first baptism.
Hey Dad, enjoy hunting in Idaho!!!!!!!
Love, Dakota

General Conference..........October 2, 2011

Hey mom and dad,  General Conference was just amazing!  I think one of my favorite talk was the one given by President Eyring on Sunday morning.  He talked about always being charitable.  Always standing as a witness no matter what the circumstances, and enduring to the end.  Good advice for all.
Temple in Wyoming!!! WOW !!!

A Good Week..........September 26, 2011

This has been a pretty good week.  we have taught a lot of lessons and have gotten 5 new investigators.
QUICK STORY:  We ran into this young man sitting on his porch.  He was really involved in gangs and other stuff and his family moved to this area to try and get him away from that stuff and help straighten him out.  As we we walking up he thought we were the police, kind of tells you how bad off this kid was.
But, I started talking to him about repentance and baptism and how all of his guilt can be gone through Christ.  He got very excited about what we were telling him.  He was really glad that we had stopped by.  But the bigger news is that we will be teaching his whole family.  So therefore we have the chance to bring an entire family together for eternity.... just another example of the amazing things the Lord does to bless his people.
Another highlight!  I also finished reading the Book of Mormon today. I'm going to start on the D&C now and hopefully before my mission is over, have read through the entire Standard Works, at least once, and the missionary library at least once.
Have a great week,
Love your son,
Elder Anderson

Elder Bates comes to Spotsylvania

Elder Slade has been transferred.  My new companion is Elder Colby Bates from Fresno, California.

Crazy Weather

It is August 23, 2011 We are still in Spotsylvania.  We are about 20 miles north of the epic center of an earthquake that hit the Virginia area near the town of Mineral.  We were having lunch at our Zone Leaders apartment when the earthquake hit.  We all thought it was the washing machine for a second till someone yelled EARTHQUAKE!!!  4 of the Elders sprinted out the door and were jumping down 3 flights of stairs.  While some how Elder Morrill and I ended up running to the bathroom for safety.  We are all safe and even Elder Carter and I went street contacting later on.  It was interesting to hear and see peoples reactions to the earthquake.  Then on August 28th Hurricane Irene hit!  Which was a little weird because just 2 days before we had a huge storm and we thought that was Irene.  So what do Elder Slade and I do during a hurricane?  We go tracting.  We did get 2 new investigators that day.  I know that the Lord blesses his servants and leads us to those who are seeking the light of the gospel in their lives.  
Mom and Dad,  I know this gospel is true, and I know the things that we are teaching the people are true.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  2 years is a long time, but I know we all will be blessed.  I love you both so much.  I am blessed beyond measure to have you both in my life. 
Love always, your son
Daktoa Thomas Anderson     

I will persist.

I will persist until I succeed.

I was not delivered unto this world in defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I am not a sheep waiting to be prodded by my shepherd. I am a lion and I refuse to talk, to walk, to sleep with the sheep. I will hear not those who weep and complain, for their disease is contagious. Let them join the sheep. The slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny.

I will persist until I succeed.

The prizes of life are at the end of each journey, not near the beginning; and it is not given to me to know how many steps are necessary in order to reach my goal. Failure I may still encounter at the thousandth step, yet success hides behind the next bend in the road. Never will I know how close it lies unless I turn the corner.

Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult. 

I will persist until I succeed.

Henceforth, I will consider each day's effort as but one blow of my blade against a mighty oak. The first blow may cause not a tremor in the wood, nor the second, nor the third. Each blow, of itself, may be trifling, and seem of no consequence. Yet from childish swipes the oak will eventually tumble. So it will be with my efforts of today.

I will be liken to the rain drop which washes away the mountain; the ant who devours a tiger; the star which brightens the earth; the slave who builds a pyramid. I will build my castle one brick at a time for I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking. 

I will persist until I succeed.
I will never consider defeat and I will remove from my vocabulary such words and phrases as quit, cannot, unable, impossible, out of the question, improbable, failure, unworkable, hopeless, and retreat; for they are the words of fools. I will avoid despair but if this disease of the mind should infect me then I will work on in despair. I will toil and I will endure. I will ignore the obstacles at my feet and keep mine eyes on the goals above my head, for I know that where dry desert ends, green grass grows.

I will persist until I succeed.

I will remember the ancient law of averages and I will bend it to my good. I will persist with knowledge that each failure to sell will increase my chance for success at the next attempt. Each nay I hear will bring me closer to the sound of yea. Each frown I meet only prepares me for the smile to come. Each misfortune I encounter will carry in it the seed of tomorrow's good luck. I must have the night to appreciate the day. I must fail often to succeed only once.

I will persist until I succeed.

I will try, and try, and try again. Each obstacle I will consider as a mere detour to my goal and a challenge to my profession. I will persist and develop my skills as the mariner develops his, by learning to ride out the wrath of each storm.

I will persist until I succeed.

Henceforth, I will learn and apply another secret of those who excel in my work. When each day is ended, not regarding whether it has been a success or a failure, I will attempt to achieve one more sale. When my thoughts beckon my tired body homeward I will resist the temptation to depart. I will try again. I will make one more attempt to close with victory, and if that fails I will make another. Never will I allow any day to end with a failure. Thus will I plant the seed of tomorrow's success and gain an insurmountable advantage over those who cease their labor at a prescribed time. When others cease their struggle, then mine will begin, and my harvest will be full.

I will persist until I succeed.

Nor will I allow yesterday's success to lull me into today's complacency, for this is the great foundation of failure. I will forget the happenings of the day that is gone, whether they were good or bad, and greet the new sun with confidence that this will be the best day of my life. 

So long as there is breath in me, that long will I persist. For now I know one of the

greatest principles of success; if I persist long enough I will win.

I will persist.
I will win.

Transfer to Spotsylvania

No, the name is not a typo.  I am really in Spotsylvania, Virginia.  It is the most southern district in my mission.  My companion is Elder J.T. Slade.  He is way cool.  He and I both played sports in high school and were both football studs. :)  We get along so good!  Elder Slade is from Arizona and will have been out a year on he 11th of this month. Spotsylvania is so different from Ashburn.    Ashburn is a very suburban type area, and Spotsylvania is a very farmland area.  As missionaries we always have the opportunity to do service for others. Elder Slade and I went over to a less active Sister's home and did some yard work for her on Saturday.  I got to mow the lawn.  That brought back some memories!   What was really awesome is that she came to Church the next day.  I see the Lord's hand in all that we do.  My testimony has grown so much.  I am so grateful for my family and all that I have.  I have been truly blessed in my life.  Mom and dad, I love you so much and am so grateful  for you both.  Our family is really changing.  Me being gone, Jord and Shine are in California,  Bran and Lindz are working on getting to medical school. Just Crazy!!! -Mom
I can't believe another week has gone by, the work is going great!! We had a family of 6 come to church yesterday and we hope to set them on date this week!!
I love it out here in Spotsy, and I love Elder Slade as my companion, we have become way good friends!!
Well until next time my friends and family. Stay strong to the gospel because it is true, and remember...have fun and smile!!! (:
I love and miss you all!!
Elder Dakota Thomas Anderson

Rough Week, hope you all are doing well!

Well 2 Months in officially and I got my first sickness. Elder Lafeen and I both came down with the Flu. We determined it is probably from one of our investigators who was sick and we got it when we went to give her a blessing. We have been out of commission, it's been a little rough but, back to work we go, WE HAVE PEOPLE TO SHARE THIS GREAT MESSAGE WITH!!
Prior to our getting sick Elder Lafeen and I had a week full of teaching.   We taught over 20 lesson committed a lady to be baptized and are just working really hard to bring people into this gospel.  I do have a young man I'll call him J, that we are working with and he is wanting to be baptized.  He is a great kid who loves the gospel and loves Jesus. So the exciting news for me is that I am the one who will get to baptize him.  I can't wait!!!!
I was on my bike the other day and we went like 20 miles.  Well my knee was killing me, it never hurt like this before.  Not sure how much bike riding I will be doing on my mission.  Oh, and to top it off I got a flat tire!!!!  I don't remember If I told you that I am also learning sign language. It is so cool!  I love this gospel and I know the happiness it brings. It's really starting to hit me how short my time is out here. Time sure does go by quickly. On a brighter note, been getting mail from people I would have never guessed to get it from! So that's always fun on weeks like this. Hope everyone is doing well and having fun!
Miss you all
Love you all!
Elder Dakota Thomas Anderson

Having a Great Week

It seems like it was only yesterday that I wrote.  It seems like the weeks are starting to fly by...almost!   

The weather here is hot!  It is 93* with 95% humidity.  Walking door to door in a suit!  Great times!

The members here keep telling me, "Oh, it is going to get worse."  (That's a fun thing to hear. :)

Elder Lafeen and I attend the Ashburn Ward at 9:00 a.m. and then go to our investigators class at 10:00 a.m. and at 11:00 a.m. we go to all the meetings at the Belmont Ridge Ward.  Elders Quorum was great as we talked and learned how to become and attain an eternal family. I am so excited to someday take my own sweetheart to the Temple to be sealed for Time and all Eternity with her and our family.  I am so blessed and happy  to be with the family I have now.  With you( mom), dad, Bran, Jord, Linds and Shine I know that I can do anything and get through anything.  You are my rock and I love you all. 

The work continues to move along here in the DC area.  I do get frustrated when we knock on doors and the people don't even give us a chance to talk to them.  They just say,"Yea, we know what you have to say."  Well obviously you don't if you just shut the door in my face!  

On the up side, we do have some families that we are working with and have 3 baptisms scheduled on the 23rd of this month, hopefully all will go as planned.

     To my family and friends please sends pictures, they are like gold in the Mission Field.  

You are in my thoughts and always in my prayers.

                                                                                Elder Dakota Thomas Anderson

     

Where I've Been and What I'm doing

There is a scripture that I found that was truly amazing to me.  It is Oliver Cowdrey's Mission Call,
Found in D&C 18: 13-19
13  And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
14  Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15  And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16  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!
17  Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation.
18  Ask the Father in my name, in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.
19  And if you have not faith, hope, and charity, you can do nothing.

        I was able to call and talk to Mom and Dad from the airport in SLC on the 22nd of June before leaving for Washington DC.  Kenton also found me at the airport.  We talked about home and stuff, it was nice seeing and talking to a familiar face.
      After arriving in Washington DC, I went to the Mission home.  President and Sister Albright are amazing people.  President Albright is a great mission president and a great help to me. Sister Albright reminds me a lot of you mom, she is an incredible lady.
      My 1st companion here is Elder Lafeen.  He is from South Jordan, Utah.  He has been out about a year.  We did have a baptism on Saturday June 25th and I got to help to confirm the little boy.  That was pretty cool.
      Elder Lafeen and I share an apartment with Elders Hadfield and Bodily.  Right now Elder Lafeen and I are using a car, we have a 2009 Malibu LS, so I haven't needed by bike yet, but that will change I'm sure...Can't Wait  lol...
      Elder Lafeen and I are also serving in 2 wards in the Ashburn area.  The Ashburn Ward and the Belmont Ridge Ward.  Covering 2 wards keeps us busy, so many names to remember!  We found out that one of our investigators didn't come to church.  FRUSTRATION!!!!, but the convert family whose son we baptized and confirmed a couple of weeks ago, the father ask us to take part in the blessing of their new baby daughter, that was pretty incredible.
    I'm getting a little more used to the everyday ins and outs of the mission field.  There are still trials that we face.  Whether it's an investigator not being baptized for some ridiculous reason, or tracting an area that has been tracted before because we have no member referrals.  But there are those moments when we find an investigator like we did the other day.  He felt the spirit so strongly and was such a great example to me.
    Also last week we had been tracting all day and knocked on a ladies door at 8:30p.m. she let us in after no success that whole day.  She wants us to teach her and her whole family.  It is cool when someone is so welcoming!  She even called us to help one of her friends.  It's pretty amazing how some people just hate us and others love and trust us so unconditionally.
     The work continues to go forth,  I think I have talked to at least 8 different nationalities including Ghana, South African, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Arab, Sierra Leone, El Salvador, Brazil, Black people, White people (had to throw that one in. :) )  So basically, I"m in a Foreign mission.
Can't wait to here from you.  Miss you both, Miss the family, Miss the pups.
Tell everyone, " Hi"  Would love to here from them!
     I love and miss you,
                    Love Always,
                         Kody  (Elder Anderson)

Things in our lives...

Hey everyone, I just wanted to share a quick thought with everyone, there are things in our lives that we should cherish most and I believe that to come down top three things, One is Heavenly Father and the gospel he has given us to live by. Two is our families, and last our friends. I think President Monson said it best in one of his conference remarks when talking about his family and especially his wife.

"Brethren, let’s treat our wives with dignity and with respect. They’re our eternal companions. Sisters, honor your husbands. They need to hear a good word. They need a friendly smile. They need a warm expression of true love."

These times in the world aren't easy and they are only going to get harder. But we are not alone when facing these trials. WE ALL have those 3 things though they may be simple, they can make the biggest difference in the worl. Love this Gospel we have so readily available in our lives, it will make everything that much easier. Love your family for they are the greatest support in your lives, whether husband and wife, mother and son, father and daughter, or brother and sister, without the family, the world would fall apart.

Friends are so important and dear to everyones life especially mine. I am the first of my close friends to be out in the field, but I know if I didn't have their examples... I dont really think I would be out here. Friends and family are so important and Heavenly Father has blessed us all with the ability to have them. Surround yourself with good people, good influnces, those who will influence you to go back and live with our Heavenly Father and our Families for time and all eternity. I love this gospel more and more everyday and know without a shadow of a doubt that it is true, and if we ever need anything the Lord will bless us.

I love you family, and I  love all my friends, I pray for you all everyday, I can't wait to come home and be with all of you again, but there is a work here and this is where I'll be for a good time.

Love,

 Elder Dakota Thomas Anderson

June 20, 2011

Hey family, just a heads up on what will be happening on Wednesday, the 22nd.  Our flight leaves SLC  at 10:30 a.m.  I will try and call from the airport if I can.  We will get into Washington D.C. around 5:00 p.m.
The Mission Home will send you an e-mail to let you know that I have arrived.  I will stay the night at the Mission Home.  I'll write or e-mail as soon as I can to let you know exactly where I will be.
      Remember I love you both so much!
                  Love,  Dakota Thomas:)

June 11, 2011

 Mom and Dad, and family,
  Like all new experiences, it has been a little rough going here and there, but overall being here has been a good learning experience.  I wish that I had studied harder, prayed more.  I'm glad that we have so much time for learning in the MTC.  I am always learning and that's a good thing.
Thanks for telling me about  the great storm that you had in Wyoming.  It sounds like it was awesome with all the thunder and lightening, hail and rain.  Sounds cool!  I can just see you running down the street with NO shoes on in the middle of a hail storm to save the garbage cans.  Hope there safe. lol   I am jealous of that storm!  I miss the rain. We have had gorgeous weather, but some rain would be nice.
We,  Elder Yassie and I,  are continuing to teach our investigators.  We are really getting through to them,
(I think:)
 Remember, love this gospel and live it!  "Find something you love and hold on to it."Elder Anderson (yes me)
I love my family and pray for them every day.   Love Dakota
p.s. did you send family pictures yet????

June 8, 2011

Hey parents, No E-mail this week?  Well that is okay, it's been nice keeping up with everything that is going on through your letters. My P-Day is Wednesday and right now I am doing laundry, not too exciting!
The MTC has been a great experience, my testimony has grown so much.  I've seen Christian Smith and some of the guys from College, so that is cool!  I have been called as a District Leader.  I really think that there are others that are mentally and spiritually stronger, so I guess the Lord is teaching me to be strong.  My companion, Elder Yazzie, and I have been teaching two investigators.  It has been an amazing experience.  We also learned so much from teaching, it was incredible.
Well it was great to hear from the both of you, I also heard from Kenton, Branden, Alyssa and Zach.  It has been awesome hearing from all of you, love you all.
Love, Elder Anderson
p.s. Tell my brothers and sisters I love them too and tell them to stop being so dang lazy and write me!!!!
Much love from the MTC,  Elder Anderson

June 1, 2011 Entered the MTC

Arrived at the MTC. My companion is Elder Jordan Chester Yazzie from Utah.  There are a total of 4 of us in my room.  We are all going to the D.C. South mission and leave the MTC together on June 22, 2011.  The other companionship Elder Norris, from Utah, and Elder Makwenkwe (pronounced Mak-wen-gwa), from South Africa. Since I just did get here, I don't have much to say yet.  Thanks for following my blog.

Dakota

On my way.

         Well, the time has come for me to go...I can't help but think about everyone whos been in my life. I'm so grateful for my family, my mom and dad, my brothers and my sister in laws. Im gateful for the examples they set for me throughout my life. I'm so blessed to have all the friends that i have. I really don't deserve the ones i have, you all are amazing and am so thankful for all of you. I know that serving a mission is the right thing to do and am so excited for it!! I can't wait to get out and get to work! I also can't wait to hear from everyone, i leave tomorrow moning at 4am for idaho for a few days then enter the MTC on wednesday!!    
Love,   
     Elder Dakota Thomas Anderson