Here's a few P-Day video's Elder Annand took during October 2012.
I compiled them to make one longer video...
His companion at that time was Elder Marsden. I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for watching!
~ June
Monday, February 11, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Week 33
Hello!
We had Hispanic Conference this week! It was sooooooooooooo amazing! It covered THREE different missions - Everett, Seattle, and Tacoma. There were over 600 HISPANICS! WOAH! There were so many awesome things that we got to do - go to the temple (AGAIN!) :), firesides, and a talent show! The talent show was great! I got most of the acts on video, but I missed 2 of them, boo! It was so awesome for me to get a feel of each of the different hispanic cultures. I'm so happy to be speaking Spanish and serving state-side. I was having a bit of a moment and was thinking about other young men serving in other Spanish speaking countries - they fall in love with that culture and area of people. But since I am state-side, I fall in love with ALL types of Spanish speakers - Mexicans, Guatemalens, Argentinians, El Salvadorians, Peruvians, the list goes on and on. I have met so many wonderful people and NEVER would have had this chance to do so if I didn't join the church myself two and a half(ish) years ago! I can't believe that I'm coming up on year three in the church! WOAH!
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| Elder Annand and Elder Marsden, Nov 2012 |
I apologize for not writing you last week, but we had another awesome week out in Lynnwood!
I had the most powerful lesson so far in my mission with one of our investigators, Maria. She has quite a bit of a background - growing up without a father, making wrong decisions her whole life, and even being involved in things she shouldn't have been. She finally decided to share her testimony in her own way, too! She was saying how grateful she is to have met the missionaries and to receive the discussions and learn more about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Her life is literally changing before my eyes, and the progression she has made since day one is incredible. THIS is what I live for as a missionary! To SEE and HEAR the people I teach thank me for what I am doing, for the change that they can see and feel themselves. She couldn't stop crying in that lesson, and I am not ashamed to say I was too! The Spirit was in the room testifying to everything that each of us said. I am so honored to be apart of her conversion and am so excited for her to enter the waters of baptism the 23rd of this month! She is also thinking about pushing the date forward!
All the missionaries (in our mission) went to the temple this past week. What an amazing experience! I went in having a HUGE question on my mind, and came out with it answered. I am so grateful that there is a temple of the Lord so close to our mission. The opportunity we had to go to the temple was a great motivator and reminder for me about the covenants I have made with the Lord. I'm forever grateful to be apart of the Church of Jesus Christ!
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| Salt Lake City Temple, June 2012 - hope Alex sends a pic of the Seattle Temple soon! |
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| Elder Annand and Sisters Salt Lake City Temple, June 2012 |
Love you all, keep being awesome!!! Have an uplifting week and remember that Jesus Christ is always there - even in the hardest of times. He KNOWS what we have been through and has felt every pain, affliction, and trial that we will go through in our lives. He is with us, always...
Love,
Elder Alexander J Annand
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Week 31
Hello Everyone!
This week has been great! Elder Fiala and I have really felt blessed and are excited for all of our investigators that are progressing in the gospel. We had 5 investigators at church this past week! We were varying from 1-2, sometimes 0 a week, but something must have touched our investigators hearts and motivated them to come. Hope for more this next week! Also, it is crazy - once an investigator comes to church, they seem to jump on the progressing scale. Yay for them!
We met a man from Uruguay this past week and has a very humbling story. The only thing that I think could be stopping him from progressing in the gospel is that he is homeless. He is trying to find a job, but his situation reminds me of what the stake president of Shoreline said (the stake under Lynnwood, which is my area), "You cannot teach someone spiritually if their temporal needs are greater than their spiritual needs." We have taught him 3 times now, and he is accepting the gospel, reading, etc., but I don't know if now is the time for him to have the gospel in his life, or if I am here to just plant the seed. We'll see what happens.
Elder Fiala and I have set a goal to make mini goals each day. Depending on what is happening that day, we vary what our goal is. It has really helped us with the work! For example, one day we had a goal to "Share the commitment, pray, and LEAVE!" Since then, instead of continuing to talk to our investigator and drive the spirit away, we leave while the spirit is still strong in their home - it's great! The mini goal idea has been helping us become more effective missionaries in our eyes, and I think that it will help us progress even more.
Elder Henson (my district leader) and I went on exchanges this past Friday and it went great. I can't remember if I have explained what an exchange is, but it is when I go out with the district leader or his companion for the day. It's a great day to learn and grow. I learned a lot from him and I can see him progressing and becoming a more effective missionary each day. He is becoming a great district leader!
Love you all, keep being awesome!
Love,
Elder Alexander J Annand
This week has been great! Elder Fiala and I have really felt blessed and are excited for all of our investigators that are progressing in the gospel. We had 5 investigators at church this past week! We were varying from 1-2, sometimes 0 a week, but something must have touched our investigators hearts and motivated them to come. Hope for more this next week! Also, it is crazy - once an investigator comes to church, they seem to jump on the progressing scale. Yay for them!
We met a man from Uruguay this past week and has a very humbling story. The only thing that I think could be stopping him from progressing in the gospel is that he is homeless. He is trying to find a job, but his situation reminds me of what the stake president of Shoreline said (the stake under Lynnwood, which is my area), "You cannot teach someone spiritually if their temporal needs are greater than their spiritual needs." We have taught him 3 times now, and he is accepting the gospel, reading, etc., but I don't know if now is the time for him to have the gospel in his life, or if I am here to just plant the seed. We'll see what happens.
Elder Fiala and I have set a goal to make mini goals each day. Depending on what is happening that day, we vary what our goal is. It has really helped us with the work! For example, one day we had a goal to "Share the commitment, pray, and LEAVE!" Since then, instead of continuing to talk to our investigator and drive the spirit away, we leave while the spirit is still strong in their home - it's great! The mini goal idea has been helping us become more effective missionaries in our eyes, and I think that it will help us progress even more.
Elder Henson (my district leader) and I went on exchanges this past Friday and it went great. I can't remember if I have explained what an exchange is, but it is when I go out with the district leader or his companion for the day. It's a great day to learn and grow. I learned a lot from him and I can see him progressing and becoming a more effective missionary each day. He is becoming a great district leader!
Love you all, keep being awesome!
Love,
Elder Alexander J Annand
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Week 30
Hello!
Cottage Meeting was great last night, I don't know if I've explained it before but it is when we have a meeting at our mission president's home and there are some recent convert speakers who share their stories with investigators of the church. The testimonies of the three that spoke were absolutely amazing. It was wonderful for me to see how different each of the speaker's backgrounds were, but how similar they had become when each of them found the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Definitely motivation for me to continue to try and work hard so I can be the best missionary I can be!
This week just flew by, I can't really remember too much what happened. Looking back in my planner doesn't bring back too many bells. We had many lessons this week and are going to try and focus on getting more fellowship for our investigators in this upcoming week. Elder Fiala and I are trying our best to be as obedient as we can. During our most recent companionship inventory (which is when we talk about our companionship, positives, negatives, etc), we discussed about our acts that could be disobedient and are going to try to fix them throughout this week. Hopefully, it will all go well as we continue to try our best to become more effective disciples of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, however, it is tough to be obedient all the time. I'm not saying that I suddenly choose to not follow a rule, but it truly is tough to continue to do what is right every single day. It may lead me to slip up every so often, but I'm glad that our Heavenly Father is willing to forgive and help me become better so I won't make the same mistake again.
It feels like it has been FOREVER since I have written a letter home - I feel too busy and sometimes don't have the want (sorry!) to write a letter, haha... I'll try and sit down for an hour and write! Love you all, keep being YOU!
Love,
Elder Alexander J Annand
Cottage Meeting was great last night, I don't know if I've explained it before but it is when we have a meeting at our mission president's home and there are some recent convert speakers who share their stories with investigators of the church. The testimonies of the three that spoke were absolutely amazing. It was wonderful for me to see how different each of the speaker's backgrounds were, but how similar they had become when each of them found the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Definitely motivation for me to continue to try and work hard so I can be the best missionary I can be!
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| Sharing the Gospel... Elder Fiala and Elder Annand |
It feels like it has been FOREVER since I have written a letter home - I feel too busy and sometimes don't have the want (sorry!) to write a letter, haha... I'll try and sit down for an hour and write! Love you all, keep being YOU!
Love,
Elder Alexander J Annand
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