Un-Edited....

Heidi!

my big little sister!

To tell you the truth I perfer any mail, though I wouldn't mind getting a letter or package every now and then :) hahaha im already talking with an accent I think. I listen to myself talk sometimes and notice an accent.....IT BEGINS! lol well im glad nothing big has happened. thats a relief. How are Dave and Sarah doing? JUst let them know that I love them and that I know that everything is going to work out for them. I hope they are not too worried, you know? Yes I got my bike the minute I got into Alabama. They even pput it togeether for me. Isnt taht sweet? lol So im going to be sending you a letter today and it will have my address (which will be the misison homes address and they will foreward my mail.) so my address will not change and I will not lose mail when I get transfered! isnt that just a good Idea. So please. if you will. Give everyone on facebook. and the blog my physical address. So they all know and that will be the end and death of facebook. Then when I come home it will be ressurected! was that sac-religious? sigh. the south is a bad influence Heidi. lol Also there is a new rule in the mission feild where I can recive email from people but I can only answer back with a letter. I can only email you guys and dad. I cant even email Grandma and aunt Alysen so can you get there mailing addresses to me so I can talk with them. The rule is SUPER DUMB but I will be obedient no matter how....questionable it may be. common sense wise it makes NONE but you know how I am. Thats way I need to change lol and be obedient dispite what Ithink. lol I appreciate you doing this for me Heidi I really Do. Tell the Girls that I think about them often and I picked up an acorn....and thought of Kairi. It reminded me of her. our future nature girl. I think about them and you guys often and make up alot of my prayers. Tell cam to give me the address of Wild on and ill write them too! lol Love you Heidi. If there is something I recommend its the NEW joseph Smith Movie and the New testament movie. I watched both at the MTC and I cryed at both lol I watched the Joseph Smith Movie....twice and just bawled in both of them. lol so watch them they are SUPER GOOD! please tell tenille to watch them with you also you both will like them. Love you Heidi Till we meet again.

Your little brother

Elder Andersen......Talon

p.s Give me the down low on Bones. WHATS GOING ON! King of the mission feild.

On my way.....

Well- January 18th arrived and after what sounds like a VERY long trip Talon finally arrived in Alabama!! He had a layover in Detroit and we had a few brief minutes to visit. He sounded tired, but assured me that he was happy doing what he was doing.

The Mission President and his wife (President and Sister Holzpfel) also have a blog that they frequently update. All of these pictures are from their blog. I will just breifly update these pictures for you, but if you would like the full story... well you know what to do!!!

Finally made it to Alabama. Many of these Elders were in the MTC with Talon. Evidently after they exited the airplane in Birmingham, they walked the wrong way to get out. President and Sister Holzapfel could see them, but the Elders could not see the President. After a few minutes the Elders realized their mistake and found the President.

Unfortunately, not all of Talon's luggage arrived with him. Fortunately he was not alone in this as three others also lost luggage. Also fortunately, the President and Sister communicate with the MTC and are given instructions for the incoming missionaries to pack all that they need in the first 24 hours in their carry-on luggage. This would prove a good practice considering the current situation. As I write this, I am unsure if he has retrieved his luggage, but I haven't heard otherwise, so we hope for the best!!

All the arriving missionaries at the Birmingham Alabama Airport!!!

Greenie!!!! Elder Talon Andersen Overton, Nevada

Talon having dinner the first night at the MTC. Is that "the Look?"

On the way to the Temple... PHOTO BOMB!!!

Birmingham Alabama Temple

More Dinner

All the Newbies in one place...

Recieving instruction

New Companions

(Elder Dansie and Elder Andersen)

On my way.....

I haven't yet received a letter from Talon yet. He sent me a quick e-mail to say that he was in Wetumka Alabama.

Here is the e-mail (FYI: I don't expect much via e-mail. So no one else should either. If you really want to hear from him, write him!!! I will post the new address as soon as I have it.)

Hey Heidi!

Everthing is going great here in little ol Wetumpka Alabama. This place reminds me of Overton. Except instead of everyone being Mormon...They are Baptist, but they are nice. They are nice as people and in refusing to hear our messgae lol but life goes on. I haven't been chased off with a gun or damned to hell by some preacher ( which I know will happen eventually) if that happens ill just FALCON PU...I mean show them there ignorance and walk away lol i'll be sending pictures here soon. and will be sending my address along with it. Do you mind for the last time putting my physical address on facebook. It will be the last time. People have been asking me about it and facebook is the only way you know? So ill be sending pictures through the mail. I hope everyone is good. How are the girls and Cameron? I hope they are well. LOve you lots

Elder Andersen.

Before I go...

Dear Heidi,

This will be my last letter from the MTC. I don't know what's up with the mail system, but it seems like it takes FOREVER! for my mail to get to ya'll. Anyways I got to reading your email. [Some] All of my experiences here have been great! One of them (like I mentioned in my email) was hearing from Jeffery R. Holland. You know one of the twelve Apostles? He talked about Peter and when Christ had come back (resurrected). He asked Peter three times, "Does thou love me?" in which Peter answered three times, "Thou knowest I love thee Lord." Christ then answered, "Then feed my sheep." I just loved that saying. It has so much to do with missionary work and I could apply it to myself. I understand why I'm out here. I understand what I'm to do. Father in Heaven has shown me and us time and time again how much he has loved us. NOw is the time for me to show him. I love him by, as he put it "Feeding his Sheep." Anyways I'm glad Bruiser? has warmed up to you Heidi. I knew you couldn't resist his puppy charm. Though yeah cleaning up messes was always a pain, but it was worth it after he was trained. Tell Cameron to tell the FNM boys hello for me! haha I mess those guys. I'm glad you got that blog up and running I don't know what it's called, but in your next email you should put the link on there.

Love always,

Elder Andersen

The Lord Needs Missionaries

I liked this alot. Im not really on my email account. this is more like a forword. Now I will be calling tommorow around......well just be ready lol keep your phone on you. Ill call when we land in Detroit from there we got to Alabama. Makes perfect sense right? sigh I hate airplanes lol

The Lord Needs Missionaries - Liahona Jan. 2011

http://lds.org/liahona/2011/01/the-lord-needs-missionaries?lang=eng

blessings to the missionaries

I have heard of bad things happening to the missionaries. I remember when my cousin went on his mission to the south that he later related tales of being shot at and so forth. I also remember that he was relaxing one day and that his companion missed a weight ball that he was throwing in the air and it landed on his head. I don't remember the injuries or side effects, but I do remember that he came home and is now a wonderful father and husband.

I also remember a recent incident, where a missionary that Talon knew died in the mission field.

BUT........

How many times do we hear of them coming home safe? If you know a missionary than you know of ALL the miracles that follow them around. Like angels walk before them gathering the blessings of Heaven in pails and dumping them on that one who has taken up the Call to Serve.

I have seen it in the months leading up to taking Talon to the MTC. How he became more focused, more patient, more understanding, more grateful. How he was safe and happy. How the means to send him were poured from everywhere. How good, kind, loving people answered the call to lend an ear and much more to my weary soul. How the understanding they received came only because my Heavenly Father heard my prayers (however infrequent they were) and had in place many who are my rocks.

This is going somewhere........

Today I came across an article on my Deseret Book email that I get just about everyday. In it read "Missionaries' apartment goes up in flames." Comfort for my head- I think not, but then I read......

Yes. Our Heavenly Father is keenly aware of us and finds ways that will impress upon us that He is in charge and He giveth and He taketh away. But we are to be like Job and be patient and if we endure it well, all things will be given to give us experience. ( I'm not sure how many scripture references I just quoted there, but if someone can tell me all of them that would be cool..)

I am grateful that these boys and the other tenants are safe. I am grateful for my family who buoys me up when I don't know how it will all come together. I am grateful for my brother who is "CTR-ing" and I am most importantly grateful to my Heavenly Father for everything that he blesses us with. Even if it is solely life itself.......

the email. the email. what? what? the email....

So they are letting me use a computer for mail after all. HAHAHAH! i know right? So If you want to hack my facebook again and let my everyone know about this email address? that would be great. I like to make it general so that my real friends will get the information. leland.andersen@myldsmail.net is my email so if you could do that. It would be awesome.

So yeah thats me. You should be expecting a letter from me here in a few days if you havnt all ready. It should have the memory card for the camera in it with PICTURES! YEAH! this will be a short email, but the letter i sent is MASSIVE! so enjoy :) just letting you know im alive. im also doing laundry right now so...yeah lots going on HAhAHA!

Love you, please pass this on to dave and Tenille as well and dad. this could be convienent. But I dont have alot of time to do it. like 30 min so hahaha! they hate me :P

Love you Heidi

Love always,

Talon.

The MTC experience

Dearest {Heidi and Family},

I'm glad my letters brighten your day :) <-- see my sideways smilie face? yeah. It's what I have to revert to since I don't have a computer, heck we barely even get to sniff those ha. but for good reason. I'm glad the car sold means I have money when I get back! WAHOO! So quick re-cap on the MTC. (because my last letter didn't include much.) It. Is. Awesome! haha I thought it was going to be a drag, but it's not even close to that description. LOTS of cool people are in my district. I love all of them. I swear we have the best district in the MTC. ha. everyone is just chill with everyone else. Accepting. Which I've seen is surprisingly rare here. Who would have thought? Anyway I have this one teacher, Brother Laubaugh. He.... How do I describe this as to not disgrace him. The. Best. Teacher. I. Have. Ever. Had! No joke! The way he talks and explains things just SCREAMS volumes to my soul. I swear he is John the beloved or one of the three nephites. Anyway! Yeah Right! I'm the King of Facebook! your more like prince John of facebook. hahaha. The only reason kyou running it is because I'm gone. Bahahahaha. By the way. Has the bike been ordered? That's the only question I have. Use some of my money to pay for it. You know from my car. So I don't feel like a tool. LOL <- hahahaha! You know how long I've wanted to do that? ROFLLOLBBQ! Ahh.... got that out of my system ha. So I have pictures. I'll list them for you:

#1: [Top Left to Right] Elder Madina, Elder Chui (Chew), Elder Bagley, Elder Henrickson, Elder Jardine, Elder Jones (my companion), Elder Anda

[Bottom]- Elder Woodbury, Elder Honeycutt, Elder Andersen, Elder Withers

#2 (Mountains) Subtitle- "And all the Who's down in Whoville...) LOL!

#3 Provo Temple

#4 Elder Woodbury

(He looks like a white Obama) LOL!

He admits to it and I find it hilarious

#5 Provo Temple again

#6 Me! at Provo Temple with missionary attire

#7 Me again with Elder Jones, my companion!

#8 Our district at the Temple

#9 Again

#10 Again

#11 sigh again (I didn't realize LOL!)

#12 Me and Elder Jones

#13 Holiness to the Lord

#14 Elder Jones

#15 Close... Provo Temple

So it's safe to say I'm enjoying myself. A mission has brought me great joy. I Love! Serving the Lord! It's become my passion these days (though I plan on picking up where I left off when I get home. As to not become a douche missionary LOL)

Tell Tenille that I love her [and] to send me letters so I can get her address. I want to write her too! And Dave let him know as well. Give my love to the girls' and tell them Talon is having fun and thinks about them everyday. ha. Dad and Aunt Alysen sent me letters so I get to write them! Enclosed is the memory card with the pictures that I have deemed blog worthy! ha! While I may have been de-throned (for now) as King of Facebook I have been crowned......

KING OF THE MISSION FIELD!!!!

See that ambience haha! Love you Heidi! Take care and thank you for... Everything

Love Always,

Elder TALONIOUS PRIME

Highlights & First Letter HOME

Dear {Heidi & Family}

I'm glad to hear everyone made it home. Life in the MTC is busy, but I've been enjoying myself. Serving the Lord has brought me great joy and couldn't have made a better decision. Now I have information for you. This is my real address for the MTC:

Elder Leland Talon Andersen
MTC Mailbox # 153
AL-Birm 0118
2005 N. 900 E
Provo UT 84604-1793

If you would send messages to all my friends Heidi? I would greatly appreciate it. Also post it as my [facebook] status. I want to make sure everyone gets this information. Tell them if they write me and wish to contact me in the field? I'll give them my address, but to write me first because I have NO ONES address. Also I'll be leaving for the field on January 18, 2011. So yeah. I hope you are well and that Tenille and Mike are well as well Ha. Tell them that I love them and that they are always on my mind. God Bless.

Elder Andersen