Week 84

Hey family!

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

 I'm doing so great!  I couldn't ask for better!  The mission life is just too awesome!  This past week flew by, as always.  Today we are planning on going to the Navy base and receive a small tour of the flight towers from one of the members of our church.  I'm excited!  I've never been on the Navy base before, so it is going to be neat!
 

North Whidbey Island

Time sure is flying by!  February is already this week?!  Jeez...   As I have been a missionary, I've definitely realized that too much happens when you aren't focused on yourself.  I guess that's a good thing though, because serving has been one of the best blessings I've been given.

 

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the Gilbert Temple open house!  :)  Who all went?  I cannot wait to go to that temple and see it for myself!




Sorry, this is a REALLY wimpy letter,  I'll do better next week, promise...  :)  I didn't have too much time today to give you a write.  I love you all so much!  Hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Alexander J Annand

Week 83

To my awesome family!

I love you guys!  I LOVE THE WORK OF A MISSIONARY!  I'm just so happy to be a missionary right now in my life - Ahh, there is nothing better!  Daily, I see miracles and blessings come into my life that I know come because I am in the service of God.  The work truly is hastening!  All of these experiences have helped and shaped me so much - it is so awesome to help others have the same opportunity to receive the gospel!  I feel so blessed to have found the gospel at such a prime moment in my life!  I wonder what I would be doing if I never joined the church, or never decided to serve a mission... I know I wouldn't be nearly as happy as I am now!

Heading to the Mall for shoes!    January 20, 2014

I did get what I wanted at the store.  I bought a pair of Rockport dress shoes and found several awesome ties for $5 each, hehe.  I've gone through 4 or 5 pairs of shoes on my mission already!  This last pair I had for less than 2 months, and they were completely destroyed...  So I bought some nicer shoes this time - real leather and the sole is stitched to the shoe instead of glue - so they better last!  ;)

Yes, haha !!   I've heard about the Seahawks beating the 49ers, and also about the Broncos beating the Patriots.  We were teaching a lesson and all of a sudden heard some screaming,

"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

WOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!" 

We took it that the Seahawks won...  :)   It is a little strange being out of the loop in the sports world, but it's fine with me.  I have more important stuff to do right now!  :)


I wrote a quick email to Dr. Brooks - I love him so much!  Before my mission, there were so many superb influences in my life which I'm so grateful for!  I really feel that it has helped me progress as I've taken all of their advice and put it to practice.  Woohoo for good friends!!  :)

This past week was awesome.  We did lots of service (mainly help with moving) this week and had a great Sunday.  We have a couple of baptisms coming up in the next couple of weeks, so I'm super excited for that.  The work is moving forward very nicely.  All of our investigators are keeping their commitments and are making necessary changes to be baptized.  I'm so excited for them.  :)  Riding a bike sure has been fun!  During the first couple of weeks of riding, I was super sore and ached all over, but now I'm fine.  There are a lot of hills in the area I cover - they are super fun to go down, but not the best thing in the world to go back up...  HaHa.  I love this area.  It is so beautiful!  You are going to love it.

Gilbert Arizona Temple     copyright Lee Grant, 2013

GAH!!  You're going to the Gilbert Temple open house!?  WOOOHOOOOOO!  You are going to LOOOOVE IT!  You have to tell me what the kids and dad think about the Temple!  I've been praying that you would all be able to go, and that the others can feel the spirit.  I'm positive they will...  :)   Tell the Cooley's hello for me and let them know I love them!





I love you all so much!  Washington has been good to me - I hope you all have a great week!

Love,


Elder Alexander J Annand

Week 82

Good morning family!

I am doing so great! What a wonderful week it has been!  It rained a little more than usual this week - but I'm not complaining.  :)  Such a beautiful morning over here in Oak Harbor!  It has been pretty cloudy and rainy the past couple of days - and has cleared up a bit this morning, so I'm happy.  It is still a little cloudy out, but I can look out the window and see snow on the mountains, and boy, is it beautiful!  Washington is so green and awesome!
 

View of the Pacific Ocean from Mt. Erie    January 2014

I am so glad that Heather is enjoying her new school!  That makes me so happy to hear that she is doing well.  Did she get my letter that I sent this past week?  I hope so!  Hey hey!  Atta boy, Scotty!  I bet he is jumping up and down in joy to be Diamond 1 in League of Legends - Keep on going Scotty!  Make Challenger!  Sierra has purple highlights in her hair?!  Say whaaaaaat?  That's awesome, hehe.  You know, purple is the best color ever!

Sister H mentioned yesterday at church that she sent you an email with all of the genealogy stuff that we have done together - isn't that awesome?!!  It is so cool to know a little bit about many of my ancestors.  I can't wait to do more genealogy work after my mission!

This week was amazing... I'm super grateful for my companion, Elder Luebke!  Even though I am his trainer, I feel like I am learning so much from him!  That is something I've noticed from all of the missionaries I have trained - it seems I learn more from them than they do from me!  Is that fair?  ;)   Our investigators are doing very well.  I'm impressed with how each of them have such a great desire to learn more about the gospel and do all that is needed to make those changes.  It reminds me of when I was the investigator a couple of years ago.  :)  Time sure does fly!

Today I am starting a "personal sanctification" where I am writing down a list of things that may keep me from feeling the spirit, or keep me from teaching with power and authority.  I am going to pray for strength to overcome these things I write down for the next 40 days.  The hope and goal is that I will be a more effective missionary and that the spirit can testify through me as I change my will to the will of the Lord's.  :)  I'm really excited for this!!

I hope you all have a great week - I love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Alexander J Annand

Week 81

Hello family!

 

Elder Annand hiking Mt. Erie   January 2014

We had fast and testimony meeting yesterday at church and it went very well!  Everyone who shared their testimony seemed very influenced by the spirit to say what they said.  There was a teenage boy, J, who shared his testimony and invited all of us to be happy and encourage others to do the same.  That really made me think how we all fall every now and again, but if we have that helping hand, it is easier to stand and make others happy.

 

Last night we had the first island cottage meeting.  Cottage meeting is when recent converts share their conversion stories to those who have also recently joined the church, are less active, or are investigating the church.  It went very well.  :)  All those who spoke shared powerful stories that had the spirit testify of the truthfulness of this gospel...
 

 

Mt Erie Views 1
 

Last week, I had a goal to work on diligence.  I started off by doing the Christ-like attribute activity from Preach My Gospel to know which areas needed work.  After doing the activity, I set more goals to pray and develop a mindset to have clean, focused thoughts, and to be consistent and work hard until the job is completed.  Throughout the week, I feel that Elder Luebke and I had some of the best lessons that I have had in a while, and I really felt the spirit work through me this week.  I'm satisfied.  :)   I am going to continue to work on diligence this week.  I am going to pray for an increased amount so that I can show Heavenly Father that I love Him.  On top of praying, I am going to act in "the office in which [I] am appointed, in all diligence." (D&C 107:99)  Doing my best to ask in faith!  I am also going to work on being a better listener.  I love the promise that Elder Holland gives in Preach My Gospel, that we need never worry what to say next, because our mouths will be filled if we listen with our hearts.  Oh how I love the work of a missionary!  I love how there is always room for improvement.  We are never going to achieve perfection in this life, but as we live as Christ-like as we can, we are able to progress and be a true disciple of Him.  I really appreciate this opportunity I have to serve.  I can never take it for granted!
 

 



Mt Erie Views 2
 



The Mt. Erie trip last Monday was awesome!  It was a bit cloudy, but you could still see some amazing sights.  There is something about being at such a high altitude looking off in the distance that really moves my heart.  I love the beauty of Washington.  I'll attach some pictures that you can view.

 

Anyway, I have to get going.  I hope everything goes well this week.  You all are in my prayers, and I love you very much.

Love,
 

Elder Alexander J Annand