Branch Presidency

Hello, I'm going to have to make this short because of time. This week the branch presidency changed and we were put it. My companion is Branch president and I am the counseler. Small branch. This week we had an amazing 23 people out to church. Usually we run around 10-13 so this week was pretty darn good. We had 3 investigators come out to church as well. An old couple and a high school student. The old couple said that they plan on coming out every week and they should be baptized soon after the husband gets over his word of wisdom issues. They are a miracle and I wish I had time to talk more about them but just know that the work is going forward!

Elder Anderson

Jehovah Witnesses

This last week was good as they usually are. Unfortunately our best two investigators have been having some health problems which has prevented them from meeting with us this whole week. We were however able to meet with some other investigators that have not been able to meet for a while due to school. It is now school vacation so it will be easier to meet with students. The problem is that when it comes to Korean High School they don't really have school vacations. It is just not all day like usual. I can't believe how much they study. It is an insane competition to enter Collage and so they have to take school seriously very early.

We were also able to have some really good lessons with less actives including two that ended up coming to church this week after along time of absence. One of them has been meeting with Jehovah's Witnesses every week. We actually have had some interesting experiences with Jehovah's Witnesses this week including meeting them with this investigator and getting invited to their church or "Kingdom Hall" for a tour and a religious chat. It was a very educational experience and once again solidified my belief that this is Christ"s living church. I especially love that we don't have to guess or rely on the words of ordinary men. We have the words of prophets, new and old, that clear up and testify of doctrine. When we met with our less-active man, he prayed at the end and truly asked which church he should be going to. The spirit testified to all of us there that this is the true church. Missionary work is amazing.  Elder Anderson

Just a few more weeks in Korea

Hello family! I am now settled into my new area. It has been a little strange. We actually had to go back to my old area on Saturday to help out with the mini MTC that we planned but everyone that planned it wasn't going to be there on that day so they asked me to go back. Saying bye wasn't too hard as I was there only one transfer.

 I had a really good last talk with an ex-preacher who likes talking with us. Naturally he knows more than us pertaining  the Bible but it was really amazing how much I know and have known since I was 5 that astonishes even the greatest of scholars. He likes to talk about salvation with me and I was able to have a good 30 minute one- on- one talk with him while elder Kim was helping out the family. We sat on the couch and talked about salvation. We didn't use many scriptures as we both know what they say but we talked like I have always wanted to talk to a preacher.

He loved me and wanted to adopt me so he was willing to truly listen to what I had to say and I had a lot of respect for him and his family so I felt like I was also willing to actually have a talk with him. Too often we get into conversations with other churches and there is no level of trust or respect and that can quickly turn into an argument. Nearly his first question was, "Have you received salvation?" I didn't answer immediately as I have never really thought about salvation like a thing you can receive here on this Earth. I explained that only after judgement can we truly receive salvation. He told me that he has received salvation for sins that he has committed and ever will committed. That was quite the claim so we chatted more about works and grace. I didn't have to point out any scriptures for him to know exactly where they were but his claim with that was that if we have received salvation we will naturally do good works. I then asked him a question that popped into my mind. "So what if a preacher like yourself went out and killed his wife?" His eyes went wide and he asked "Did you see the news yesterday? That happened!" I then went on amazed where the conversation was going and asked if that preacher who no doubt believed in Jesus will receive salvation. He leaned back, shook his head, and said, "I don't think so."

I was then really able to talk about acts and that if he does not receive salvation it will be because of his acts. I was able to be fairly blunt with him because of our relationship and the fact that my Korean isn't that great so I can't smoothly get around things. I explained that Satan also believes in Jesus but it is because of his actions that he cannot receive salvation. He nodded his head and mumbled "Satan believes in Jesus..." It was a pretty fun lesson. Unfortunately his still is stuck on his old church and doesn't want to change. I think he now has an answer to some of his questions. I really felt like I was being led by the spirit to answer his questions so I believe that God still wants him to find the fullness of truth. Missionary work is amazing. I am so glad that I have been given this opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. An-dong is amazing and I am really excited to serve here with elder 진(Gien). The church is true.

this is what you do if the bugs bother you

Elder Anderson

off to my 7th area and 15th Companion

Hello! This week we had quite the surprise. We got 2 transfer calls and our area will be replaced with Sisters next transfer. I will be going to 안동(aun-dong) to serve my last transfer. Elder Kim is off to 경주. I was only able to serve in 구미(gu-mi) for one transfer but life changes. That is something that I have come to love. Change. 안동 is the furthest area north in our mission and covers an enormous land mass. It is a small branch of about 15 people. My next and last companion will be a Korean, Elder 진(Gean), I am excited. I will still be in the same district so I will be able to help the sisters if they need. It was quite the surprise for us and the ward but I think that the sisters coming here will have a lot of things they can do that we could not. It will be good. We both gave our little talk in church that we give if we come or go. It was sad to leave. I really tried to get to know the ward quick because I knew I did not have much time but this was even less than i expected. Elder 진 will be my 15th companion and I will go to my 7th area. This week was pretty good. We had some good appointments with a lot of people. We had 2 investigators come to church and both should be baptized within a month or two. I was a good full week. I cant believe that I only have a transfer left. I guess you just have to follow Brigham Young's teachings, "Work hard or go to Hell" Simple right? :) Love you all!