Rough

Hey Heidi,

Yeah things have been a little rough. I wont lie. A mission in the south is tough. (tougher then I thought it would be) Theres just alot thats expected of me and I dont feel that I can deliever. Sort of feel......inadequite? Yeah thats a good word for it. Im not a good teacher when I try to teach the gospel. LOL I feel sometimes that Im behind in some respects, not worthiness issues, but like teaching.......yeah. ITs just been a tough week. Losing really potentious investigators. (though we have others) its still hard to see and watch. The south is a very hard-headed people thats for show. Trying to convince someone that there is more out there. when there whole life has been centered around one way of thinking is a tough pattern to crack. Just for them to listen to us is a miracle! So yeah its been tough. Ive been told (basically by the mission President) that im going to be taking over the Wetumpka area this next transfer. (three weeks) So im stressing out about that because I just feel inadequite really. Then I have this nagging voice in my head that constantly tells me to "just go home" "give up" " your not good enough" and I cant seem to get them to leave. I work hard, probably the hardest Ive ever had to work and I feel like im smahing my head against a wall because nothing is happening. its just hard. I knew it would be and didnt all at the same time. I do know this though. This is something I need to stick out. So that sometime in my mission I wont need to "Stick it out" anylonger. That I will find my stride and be a better teacher. Thats the impression that I get. I believe that this is a humbling phase in my misison. So that I can do those things that I was sent here to do specifically. Theres no going home for me. I just cant. I must admitt though that its been hard being away from family, friends, etc. Its tough. I hope that this phase in my mission goes by fast. Im tired of it LOL. I love you Heidi.

Oh yeah. How are you paying for my mission. Is grandpa sending money? who all is giving so that I may know.

Love you,

Elder Andesen

More Dear Dad

HEY DAD!

whats up pup. Yes the weather down here has warmed up,but my allergies
are killing me. I thought that yesturday taht it was my allergies
bothering me,but  Iwoke up this morning feeling like crap. I called
this mission doctor ladie and she said after I go do email and
walmart. (for meds) that im to stay in. Sigh. I hate being sick. Its
no fun. anyways. I hope the baptism goes well and gets planned out
soon as well. She is a very nice lady, but it seems the advicary is
working hard on her. So its difficult. For some reason Satan has these
people down here in the south TIGHTLY in his grasp. its been hard to
talk to anyone. Yesturday we got called the anti-christ. it was
intresting. of course they yelled it from afar because they are
cowards. The thing ive realized about the south is that NOONE of weak
testimony is sent here. I keep telling myself that. Also Ive become
quite familiar with the bible. (whether or not im as good to go toe to
toe with a pastor yet....remains to be seen.) but people (especially
from the "church of christ"....have you heard of that sect?) want to
bible bash with us. WE have been directed to just walk away and not
bible bash no matter what. nothing good comes from bible bashing
anyway. Drives the spirit away. Anyway the people from the church of
Christ CAN be some of the meanest people around. I have grown a
distaste for them. Some that we have met are nice and we agree to
disagree. Others invite us in to bash....sigh. Ive run into a few
pastors, now of which except one was kind. One we talked with for like
20 min and he said he didnt want to argue amongst friends. while we
disagreed on some points we left each other in good spirits... I
thought to myself. Why cant we all be like that ? hahaha. So the work
continues. I have a feeling that the "vision of the south" givine by
one of the 70's is true. There are alot of good people here. and
really we should be thanking these pastors. They are taking people
from a telestial world to a terrestrial world. While we (Mormons) take
them all the way home. Well dad I hope all is well with you and Kay.
Tell her Hello for me and everyone there! I hope the economy gets
better. For everyone. Its no better down here. I assure you. Love you
dad

Elder Andersen

Dear Dad

Hey dad!
The work here is....progressing. We now have about 7 people with a
date so I mean half the battle is getting them to baptism, but you
know all that :) Yeah im not good at bible bashing dad to tell you the
truth. Im just not! ITs hard to see that these people wont except the
truth. but what can I do. I guess not everyone is ready. too bad. O
ther then that, yeah we had somewhat of a light show a couple days
ago. Mostly just thunder though. ahahaha the weather here is odd. It
will be sunny one minute and raining the next. Its crazy. Sorry to
hear that Kayliene needs an operation. Thats no fun! give her my love
and blessings. I love you dad.

Elder Andersen

Anger

Dear Heidi,

I've written the girls letters, because... I felt I should. Tell them I love them and tell Cam that also. You know I love you so don't even worry, but just in case... I love you :). Take care. I'm doing fine. OH by the way.... Do I have anger issues? My companion says I do, which I might because he always brings it up. So I'm wondering. Maybe I do? I don't know, I always feel I'm under a magnifying glass. He watches everything I do and its annoying. So maybe I do have anger issues LOL. Love you

Elder Andersen (Talon Andersen)

Dear Kairi,

Hey! This is Uncle Talon! What's up? You being good for Mom and Dad, it helps them a lot! It also sets the example for your younger sisters so they can be good too. So that Mom and Dad don't go crazy! How are you enjoying school? I had LOTS of fun at school, although being a missionary can be fun too! Well I love you girl. Be good for Mom and Dad ok? Also help them by cleaning up your toys, even before they ask.

Love you!

Elder Andersen (Uncle Talon)

Dear Kesslynn,

Hey there Big Girl! You being good? How are things going at home? Are you still going to pre-school? and if so what are you learning? Give me all the details! I'm writing you a letter to tell you I love you and think about you all everyday! Keep being that good girl that I know you are and listen to Mom and Dad. They love all of you SO MUCH! So be good for them ok? Love you girl!

Love,

Elder Andersen (Uncle Talon)

Dear Ellie,

You're probably too young to read this and probably too you to understand. but I'm going to write you anyway! Someday I hope you'll have this letter to remind you that your family loves you! Very much! Everyone! Remember to listen to Mom and Dad. They only want whats best for you, and that goes for all your Aunts and Uncles. Know that we have a strong family with HIGH MORAL STANDARDS. You'll appreciate them as time goes on. I love you girl.

Love,

Elder Andersen (Uncle Talon)

Short & Sweet

Ive heard of the News about dave and grateful for it. I have to make this letter short. sorry. BUT im glad that all is well with yourself, Dave and Tenille. The Lord it seems has blessed us with the means to get by in this world. For that im grateful. WOW KEss is turning 4....Old moment. sigh. Wish I could be there. No the baptism didnt go through, things haapened. opposition. But she is getting baptised so it will be soon when she will get baptised. Which is good. I havnt been chased off of Lawns or anything this week which has been good. Sigh. I miss you guys alot. I think about ya'll all the time. How are things with you and dad? that has been another thing on my mind as well. I hope all is well in that part. Im going to be writing a letter to Kayliene to bury the hatchet between me and her. I've seen how situation like ours can ruin families out here and it struck home for me and I said to myself. That wont be us. So im doing that. IM NOT saying anyone else has to. For me myself I think ill become a better missionary if I do this. Teaching forgivness and living it are two seperate things. and I need to do both you know? I dont want to seem like a hypocrite LOL CAUSE IM NOT! I hope all is well with Kairi and Ellie. Hows school going for KAi? Let them know that Uncle Talon thinks about them and loves them. I love you too Heidi. IM grateful I can call you my sister. Im grateful for all that you have done for me and im still thinking of how I can re-pay you. Again I love you

Elder Andersen

Rebuked..

HEIDI!

IM glad to hear that Dave is doing good. He's been on the forefront of my mind and Ive been praying for him ( as I have all of you) but him more specically to be able to obtain the things he needs to take care of his family. It seems that the Lord has heard me and for that I am greatful.Eternally so. I DIDNT KNOW HE WAS HAVING A BOY! BAHAHAHAHA! YES! Im excited for him and sarah! IM glad to hear also that you and Tenille could make it down home in Overton. IM again very sorry for the loss of the Mays. They are such great people and my memories often wonder to those times of painting myslef green and the talks me and Mr. May would have ( brent at the high school) such great people. Thank god for the gospel and thank god for them. Also. Thank God that they know and accept the Gospel. There is no greater Joy. Ive seen the gospel change people. Including me while Ive been out here. Im going to tell you this, but im coming back just a little different. Very much the same Talon, but ill be different. Im glad to hear that Teniile is doing well. I have also prayed that they would get this house. How is Mikey Doing? Is he ok? I havent heard from Tenille for a couple of weeks now so she must be pretty busy. MY companion and I....are doing just fine. Once we got the frustration out of the way he's an alright guy. So things are working out. So I can now tell you that I ve been cussed out now! So story time. We tracted into this one guy (Turns out his brother is in the church, but was a convert) And we start talking to him a little bit about what we believe. So its going on nicely. Were having a nice chat. But as time goes on he starts getting madder and madder and were not even saying anything. LOL He's telling us that we ALL basphem the lords name ( by the way he was saying that christs name wasnt christ, but "the word.") and then all of a sudden he starts throwing out the "N" word and telling us how they dont have souls are anything. How they are just property. Now in my head there are two voices talking to me. One says, " Talon just leave. Theres nothing you can say to calm him down." While the other is saying, " How dare this man talk about people like that!" So im keeping pretty quite and after he starts using the "N" word again my compaion is like, " well sir were going to go." Then the man says, " Yeah thats right I said "N" word and you cant say it anymore without getting sent to jail. So you get on your bikes and leave you weak M.F.er's!" So at these point I was just enraged and I say to him, " Sir we believe we are all gods children. And we believe strongly in the commandment to Love one another. Then he goes off and gets Madder! At that point the spirit rebuked me and I got the impression he was saying. Wow Talon. That was stupid. Next time listen to me! hahaha so thats my story. Sigh people in the south. LOL I spoke some spanish! we were tracting and we ran into a trailer park where there were all spanish speakers and I spoke a little not alot but little. LOL that was intresting. I hope you are doing well Heidi. I think about ya'll most of all I think. I miss you guys terribly. But there is work to be donw here in Alabama. And sometimes while Im not sure why im here. I know that Somehow Im needed here for a purpose. So ill trust in the lord and his judgment. Whenever Ive felt down the Lord always sends me something that lifts my spirits. Whether it be how the wind blows that makes me feel like im home in Overton. Or how the sunsets that remind me of my home in Utah. He sends those to me. and I remember all of you and think about how our reunion will be. I cry sometimes just thinking about it. NOT A SAD CRY, but a happy one! I look forward to it! I want you to know that im working Very hard so that the time goes faster. Im coming up on three months this next month. It doesnt feel like it at all. I love you all and send that love to ALL

Elder Andersen

4-pack

Hey Dad!

Yeah actually I can email Dave and the whole family except grandma and
grandpa and all my aunts and uncles I have to write but them can email
me. It doesnt make sence but those are the rules. I tried to email
dave,but I think I dont have the right email address?
Lost_sanity@hotmail.com? If not send me daves personal email and i'll
email him. Ive been thinking about him latley. He's been on the for
front of my mind. Him and sarah and the baby. So if you could give me
his email that would be great! I want to hear from him. I sent an
email to what I thought was his email, but it must have not been. So
if you could do that for me that would be great.Oh yes its gotten very
warm here in Alabama. THe humidity is killing me. I hate it. It makes
everything worse hahaha. I'll survive. Yeah we've had a few people be
very.....upset with us because of what we do. Not many but a few. Oh
well like you say the work goes on. I'm just getting used to
missionary life. Especially with a companion. sigh. thats been the
toughest. getting along and living with each other. Still working on
that. Sounds like England was rough. Yeah we have built up our
teaching pool so that we are not tracting as much, but we still do
about 4-6 hours of tracting. Depending on the day. I have lost about
10 pounds since ive been out here and I am beggining to see a 4 pack
on me! hahahaha I laughed. Alabama has been good to me.  hope all is
well with you dad. Your another one that I keep in my prayers/thoughts
very often. No storys here except we are having a baptism this next
week. So it will be my first hahaha im excited. Other than that
nothing new here. Oh the reason im emailing today instead of yesturday
is because yeturday was a holiday and the library was closed so. My
P-days are still mondays. Please give dave my Email also. I've been
trying to get in touch with him and was going to send a letter this
week for his birthday to get back in touch. Thanks dad and yes please
get the neils info for me. I would like to hear from them. I love you
dad. ALOT!

Elder Andersen