Week 101

Hey hey hey! 

This past week was quite eventful!  Unfortunately, we had a missionary go home this past week so we were given another missionary (so now I am with 2 other missionaries) while his companion went to a different area.  My new companion's name is Elder Tyler Shaver.  He is from Harrisonburg, Virginia and has been a missionary as long as my other companion, Elder Cottle.  They were both companions in the MTC, so it is neat that they get to serve together at this time in their mission.  With the addition of Elder Shaver, we also cover the area that he was serving in (Monroe to Goldbar).  It makes things a little more stressful because of all of the travel time we have to take, but I think we are managing.  We are going to go to the Sky Valley branch in Monroe this Sunday to meet the members.  :)

Elders Annand, Shaver, and Cottle     May 2014

So... You aren't going to be a happy camper with this news that I'm going to give you.  I got a ticket!  Our car was in the shop, and it was time to pick it up.  We drove to the mission office, got the car, put packages in it, and while I was driving off, I took a turn onto a 25mph area.  I didn't realize at first I was going a lot faster than the posted speed limit, and when I braked to get to normal speed, it was too late.  :(  The GPS said the speed limit was 30, but that doesn't justify anything... I was being clumsy!  I took some money out of my bike fund to pay for the ticket.  It was a total of $195, but because we are in a 3 pack, we have to split it 3 ways, so I'm going to end up spending $65.  I'm upset at myself, and I lost my driving privileges as a missionary for the rest of my mission, but afterwards, I'll just have to pay more attention while driving!

Yesterday, as a district, we rode the ferry!  It was my first time, and it was way cool!  We went over to Whidbey Island and hung around there on the beach for a little while, then we went out to lunch at Taco Bell afterwards (classy, right?).   :)   It was very inexpensive as well, $4.80 I think for a round trip ticket if you are on foot.  I'll attach some pictures to show you!

Ferry to Whidbey Island    May 2014

That is super sad news that Tucker had to be put down, but it was for the best.  I hate seeing animals suffer.  I hope each of you can cope quickly with the loss.

Tomorrow is our Spanish zone conference (when all of the Spanish missionaries get together and receive instruction from the mission president, his wife, and his assistants).  I will be singing in a musical number with the other missionaries who will be going home this upcoming transfer (2 other Elders and a Sister missionary).  It's going to be sad, but I am eternally grateful for this experience that I have had to serve as a missionary.  I have learned that rendering continual service brings the greatest blessings.  It is something that I have chosen to do for the rest of my life.

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

Love,

Elder Alexander J Annand

Week 100

Hello !

I'm doing very well!  This past week was very rough, however.  I had food poisoning/flu from Tuesday to Friday and then was hit with a pretty painful migraine yesterday.  It was a bit of a bummer because I wasn't able to work as hard as I wanted to this past week. 

I did have a cool miracle happen though...  I was on a mini exchange with one of the missionaries in Snohomish, and we were knocking on doors.  We tracted into a freshman in high school named J - she seemed a bit standoffish at first but then when we started to teach, the Spirit came super strong.  As we showed her the front picture of the Restoration pamphlet, she started bawling!  It was such a powerful moment, and she knows now what the Spirit feels like!  :)

P-Day hike with some of the missionaries...   Super Fun!!!

Tell Scotty I say hi!  I love him so much!  It was so good to talk with him over Skype on Mother's Day.  It looks like he is doing very well!  I'm excited to spend a lot more time with him and to catch up on everything that I've missed.  But for now, I need to focus and work hard for this last month that I have!  I already mentioned this, but I can't believe how quick time flies.  My mission has been such a blessing and an experience and I will be forever grateful.

I got a pretty neat letter from the Activity Day girl's from our ward this past week.  They all wrote me a letter asking me how I'm doing and what it's like up here.  They spelled my name "Elder Anand".  One of them said that I sound like a pretty skinny guy, and if I'm a girl that they didn't mean to offend me.  I started busting out laughing!  I'll be using some of my preparation day to write the kids back.  :)

Hope you have a great week!  Can't believe the kid's summer starts next week!

Love,

Elder Alexander J Annand

Week 99

Hey there family!

Isn't life great?!!  :D  It was so awesome seeing you all via Skype yesterday!  I can't believe how much everyone has changed in such a short amount of time!  But I guess I have changed quite a bit as well... I can't wait for all of you to meet all of the friends I have made up here in Washington!  They are all so amazing.  :)

It's nice and sunny out over here - no where near 86 degrees, perhaps around 70?  It feels great.  We plan on going to play basketball today after we go to the mall, so I'm excited for that!

This is such a wimpy email, haha, but I feel like I don't have too much to write because we just talked yesterday!  

Hope you each have a great day and week!  Don't get too sunburned...  ;)

Love,

Elder Alexander J Annand

Week 98

Hello family!

Goofing around on P-Day with Elder Niemela.    Dec 2013

So, I will be able to Skype you this upcoming Sunday!  I have church from 10:30am-1:30pm, and I would expect to Skype anywhere between 2:00pm and 5:00pm.  I hope that is okay for you!  I will be going over to one of my recent convert's homes that I taught while I was here a year ago!  I'm excited for you to meet him!  He is so great!  He is such an intelligent man and gives me such great advice, I love him!

The doctor's appointment this past Tuesday went well.  We talked about the different symptoms I have before I have a migraine, and during, and we also talked about different ways I can cope with smaller migraines.  Normally, what I do is go into a dark room and rest/close my eyes because my head hurts so bad.  President Bonham and another friend here know a lot about migraines, so I am super grateful that they can help me as well.  I should be able to overcome these migraines soon.  For when I do have a migraine, the doctor prescribed me Immitrex 100mg.  I am supposed to take it when I feel a migraine coming on, and if that doesn't help to take another dose, but to not exceed two doses in 24 hours.  

So, I just received news that this is my last area!  I am not getting transferred!  Nor is my companion!  Woohoo!  It is crazy to think that this is my last transfer before I finish as a full time missionary for the Lord.  I don't know where the time has gone!  It definitely has been the best 2 years of my life, and for my life.  I will forever be grateful for this wonderful time I had to serve!  I still need to work hard and diligently - enduring to the end doesn't only apply to our life, but to many other things as well!  :)

That is so awesome that you are finishing up your temple classes, Mom!  I am so PROUD OF YOU!  Receiving your endowments are such an amazing blessing, and I am so happy that you are going to make more covenants with our Father in Heaven!  I cannot be your escort (it needs to be someone of the same gender), but you can count on me being there when you go through!  :)  How could I miss such an important moment?!  

I love you all so much!  You are all so great!  I hope you have a great week!  I can't believe the school year is almost over!  Time flies!

Love,

Elder Alexander J Annand