Week 83

Week 83

From our letters:

"So ya last week I was a little bit frustrated. But more so I was very nervous and stressed. So the Stecker's who used to be here were totally awesome and way capable of running a mission twice this size. But they have gone home and now a lot of there responsibility is resting on us. Its just a lot to take in and you know how it is. I want to go out and teach the gospel so its just hard sometimes. LOL but we are doing good."

"This week was better and we got to teach a little bit more that last week. We actually have a lesson set up with an investigator! Crazy right? I'm really hoping he is there President Egbert wants to go with us."

"The office is all moved and they are going to close this one I thinks some time. I'm not sure. Things are all still up in the air right now. We did get be like normal missionaries on Sunday, that was awesome. We only had to go to one meeting with President and it was really great."

"My work permit is going to expire in May and so we are working with the Trinidad Officials to try to get it extended. President doesn't think that it's going to happen. So much so that he is getting more apartments in Guyana."

-Elder Andrus

Week 82

Week 82

Elder Andrus didn't write a big email. Here is what he is up to!

"I really like being prepared. There are only a few feelings worse than being unprepared. So LOL I'm going to try to be better at that!"

"Being stuck in the office and all. Its not that fair. LOL I just wish I could go and teach some people! LOL"

"Well are area is kinda at a stand still because we have only proselytized like for 2 hours this week. Curacao is already apart of our mission so they are looking for a new office there."

"It the words of our beloved hymn "Their ain't no rest for the wicked. Money don't grow on trees. We got bills to pay and mouths to feed, ain't nothing in this world for free."

-Elder Andrus

Week 81

Week 81

Pretty crazy week. We had transfers this week. It wasn't so bad as it has been in the past. Just lots of planning and lots of times going to the airport. I think I was there 10 times this week. Its been good. 

Elder White is my new companion. We are very alike. He has a forge at home too. So that is awesome. We get along really well. He is really funny. 

I like the basics. and If you don't study that basics everyday then you can never make it back to our Heavenly home. Its pretty cool about how much you can learn about faith, or light. 

So they finally pushed the button on moving the office to Curacao. I'm not sure really what that means for us. Other than we will be staying here. We are kinda going to have two offices for a while. Its kinda weird. But what that does mean is that we are now in charge of all of the cash and cards and cars and houses and just about everything in Trinidad. That is kinda fun and crazy at the same time. Elder White and I are in charge of $40000 is in cash. lol. Pray for us. We need it! Love you all! and have a great week. Can't wait to hear from President Nelson. 

Love,

Elder Andrus

Week 80

Week 80

Happy New Year! This week was an exciting one full of great stuff and lots of time to learn. 

On Tuesday we actually went to District Meeting! Wow first one this transfer. It was really good. Elder Rose and I talked about goal setting and what the goals for all 319 converts our mission had this year. It is the temple, of course! It was such a spiritual District Meeting. 

On Wednesday we gave out transfer calls. We have known everyone's call for like 2 weeks! It's kinda funny how that worked out. Well, Elder Rose is going back to Guyana to my old area in Georgetown! He is going to love ti there. I did for sure! My new companionis coming from that same area! Kinda funny. His name is Elder White. He is such a great missionary He is the only one I met so far that had a forge. Just like me. LOL It's going to be awesome :)

On Friday we had our MLC over skype! It was soo good. we set goals for the new year. We all have been feeling a great sense of commitment to all the converts we had this year. We wanted to set a goal to how many converts stay active. We weren't sure to set it 70% - 80% - 90% or what. But Sister Gould (a local serving temporarily in our mission) read from Mosiah when King Benjamin wanted to stand blameless before God. She said, "I can't do that, if I choose only to save 80% of my converts. 80% out of the 5 that I've had is 4 of them. I can't tell God that Andria or Tamara aren't worth saving." We all felt the spirit strongly. And we all decided that we are going to retain 100% of our converts. Now that is a high goal. And we are going to do all we can and God will do the rest.

I love being a missionary. It's amazing to see those we love being saved. 

I love you all very much! Till next week. 

-Elder Andrus

Week 79

Week 79:

Elder Andrus didn't write an email to everyone this week, but here is some of what he sent us!

"Today we had a pretty fun day! We played some Frisbee with the zone and then had a water balloon fight. Only in the Caribbean can you get sunburned and have a water balloon fight on January 1st. LOL"

"Not much has happened here. Honestly we just so much work with the other Elders and stuff, it wasn't that exciting of an email, so I didn't even write it. I love you so much though!"

-Elder Andrus

Week 78

Week 78

Wee, this week was awesome! I'm so grateful that I had the chance to spend this years Christmas in Trinidad. It was so awesome. I love the Egbert's so much. We had a great time at our Christmas party.

On Monday we went to their house and had a White Elephant gift exchange that was fun! I got an awesome picture from Elder Vance. He is so funny, the picture is attached. LOL  (ooops! I attached that photo to week 77)

But what was most special was that we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and it is! It helped me to realize how important family is and how special they are. I love my family, I miss them a lot, but I'm happy to be here with my family in Trinidad.

It's been an amazing spiritual experience to feel of God's great love for me and these I serve. It's also been amazing to feel my family's love.

My hope is in Him, out Master Jesus Christ. I love you all and thank you for all the love and support. It's a wonderful life.

-Elder Andrus

Elder Andrus during our Skype call!!

Best day ever!!

Opening his Christmas package!

Week 77

Week 77

Merry Christmas! Well, everyone this week actually was really pretty normal. We didn't have to spend that much time in the office which means, because of our lack of a teaching pool, we spent most of our week contacting! Which is awesome! We contacted a ton of people which has brought back my nice, "Golden Brown" that I lost in the office. :)

Something exciting that did happen this week was the Ward Christmas dinner! #trinifood #iamfat

Elder Rose and I sand "O Come All Ye Faithful" It was legit. But the coolest part for me was a small piece of Revelation that I had that day. The morning I read, 4 Nephi 1:15-16 which talked about how to be happy and that is to have the Love of God in our hearts. I was pondering and thought, "Well, what is the love of god?" (I've had this thought lots) but 1 John 4:6-10 explains that God's love is shown to us by the gift of his Son. Christmas time is when we celebrate this gift. Let us all have a Happy (Merry) Christmas this year by giving and loving all who are around us. Or the way that the Master says it, "Light the World." We have the brightest light around. Don't hide this great gospel. Give it to those who you love. I'll do my best to do that too!

Merry Christmas! I love you all!

-Elder Andrus  

Elder Andrus got this for a White Elephant Gift. Best gift ever!