Pittsburgh Mission Memoirs

A multitude of things have surprised me about coming home. Many things were totally unexpected; some things went beyond expectation. Here are a few things that I found most notable.

Little known fact: I prefer my scripture study in the evening. Peace and quiet, plenty of time (I believe that sacrificing sleep for The Lord is certainly a worthy thing to do).

It's been long enough. Now that a full week has passed, it's time I come out of hiding.

I'll start with last Tuesday. Elder Almond and spent our final moments together touring Pittsburgh - one last time for me, and the first time for him. We saw a couple of sights, but mostly just aimlessly wandered around. At one point, though, we met a gentleman who came up to us and kicked off a conversation with:

"It's a great day to be on God's beautiful Earth, isn't it?"

We chit-chatted for a bit, and found out that he was a wanderer, moving from place to place. His next destination, incidentally, was Salt Lake City. We gave him the suggestion to check out Temple Square. He seemed to be very interested - he has a lot of faith, but is looking for that 'something more' which eludes many.

We went to the final transfer meeting when Elder Almond was assigned his new companion and I.... Well, I just sat there. I watched as each of the new missionaries, probably the most nervous people in the chapel, were assigned one by one to their companions. I remember vividly what happened for me on that day, and it was slightly nostalgic to see them go through the same thing.

After the meeting, we drove to the President's house, where we chilled for the rest of the night. We relaxed, we had temple recommend interviews. Sister Topham made us dinner. After dinner, the mission president, his wife, and the 1st counselor and his wife had a little panel discussion with us. We asked them questions about life after the mission, about what was now expected of us - basically, it was just a chance to get some good advice from people who have been there. The night ended with a showing of "The Best Two Years".

We were up bright and early the next morning, and on our way to the airport. We had a mostly uneventful flight to Minneapolis, but on our connecting flight, we met a gentleman who's daughter had just entered the mission the day before. We were able to give him some idea of what awaited his daughter during the next year and a half. It was a remarkable coincidence.

It's a challenge to put my thoughts and feelings into words, mainly because there are so many of them. This whole post might be the vaguest of them all. This is because, like the Spirit and love itself, the feelings I have are so difficult to describe. I hope and pray that as you read, the Spirit will bring the ideas I wish to express to your hearts so that you can understand what I am trying to express.
The past two years have felt like just that - two years. It's been long and a lot has happened during that time. Yet it's a blur. From the moment my feet hit the pavement of the MTC in Provo to this moment now, in Wintersville, Ohio, I have become a different man in every way.
My expectations have been shattered; my perspectives changed; my paradigm shifted; my priorities adjusted; my testimony rooted; my determination renewed. My life will never be the same again.
I've struggled through so many trials.
Arguing with people so set in their ways that they won't budge, and then wondering if I'm the close-minded one.
Bearing with investigators, week after week, when they tell me they'll come to church or read their scriptures, or pray... and don't.
Contentions with companions leading to either full-out yelling matches or days of the silent treatment.
Dealing with injustice, with ignorant missionary leaders or ward leaders who are so dead-set on their way or the highway that nothing gets done.
Encouraging constantly those who are too unmotivated or too scared to do what they know is right.
Finding those whom the Lord has prepared for me to find, when it seems I've knocked on every door in sight and talked with every person.
Giving my all when I had no more all to give, or even worse not giving my all when I knew I had more to give.
Having my testimony challenged day after day, both from without and within.
It's been a trip, for sure.
Just as well, though. Because, for every trial I've waded through, I've been given a bushel of blessings.
Kindness from members who have so little, giving my companion and I what little they have with faith that the Lord will give them what they need..
Love from those who barely know me, encouraging and lifting me in my times of struggle.
Moments of tenderness and power with those who are struggling themselves and need to be lifted. Those are the times when I have felt the spirit strongest.
Not knowing how things will work out, and then, almost magically, the Lord prepares a way.
(for those of you who noticed, I'm going to stop my little poetic pattern here - it's getting hard to keep up. :P)
I've become good friends with some of the most amazing people that I could possibly have met.
I've been uplifted and strengthened by testimonies of those who have been through so much more than I could possibly imagine, and stuck it out till the end.
I have found that my influence has extended far beyond those who are not members of the church. I've been able to touch the lives of non-members, investigators, less-active members, fully active members, companions, other missionaries, my family, my friends, and hopefully some of you.
I've studied and done my best to treasure up the words of Eternal Life, and have found the joy that comes therein.
I have learned what true prayer is and how to talk with my Heavenly Father, and not just to Him.
I have strengthened my testimony of penitent fasting and beheld it's effects in my life.
I have witnessed the power of the Priesthood. I have seen miracles as those who I have laid hands upon have healed, sometimes instantly.
I have seen firsthand the power of the Atonement, and the incredible miracle of forgiveness. It has happened in the lives of investigators. It has happened in the lives of members. It has happened in my life. I've repented every day of my mission. That's because I've screwed up every day of my mission. But I still manage to receive forgiveness. That is the Grace of Jesus Christ. That is the Love of Heavenly Father.
I have come to learn who my Lord and Savior is. I have realized the pure love which my Father in Heaven has for me and for each and every one of His children, of whom you are a part.
My purpose as a missionary was to bring souls to Christ; the mission's purpose was to bring me to Him. I certainly hope that I have fulfilled my purpose, but I feel confident that the mission has fulfilled it's purpose for me in my life.
I know that this is just the beginning - that there is so much more ahead of me. Perhaps now, more than ever before, I know what really is ahead for me. I know the great challenges that life brings, but I know the glory of the life to come for those who are faithful and endure.
It's amazing and beautiful and marvelous and precious to me.
Thanks to every one of you for your support, even in just reading the blog every now and then. I hope it has fulfilled it's purpose in extending my missionary efforts to all those who read. It's been a pleasure to serve my Father in Heaven and I certainly look forward to every opportunity ahead of me.
Best of wishes, and God Bless to all of you!
Love,



Elder Alex Anderson, Missionary Slim

Hello all.

It was a delightful Christmas for Missionary Slim. Few presents except an overload of candy and goodies, no snow, but still good company and good fun.

Through it all, the work has been moving on. The day after Christmas, we paid a visit to Paul and Melinda, the blind chap and his wife. We explained the Plan of Salvation to them, tying in Christmas and our own personal Spiritual gifts which we have had given to us. Towards the end of our lesson, Melinda piped up with a great question: "After we die, I've always been taught that we will see people we knew in this life, but we'll be praising God so much that we won't bother to remember them. What do you think?"
We talked about Temples and eternal families. We told them that, if they were worthy, they could be sealed as a family for eternity. We talked about baptism as the gateway to this great blessing. They were excited about the temple, but were hesitant about baptism. Believe it or not, that's a good sign - it means they take it seriously and want to make the right choice. We shall see what come of this, though. The spirit was definitely there.

Same goes for a visit we had with a less-active family, the Bolithos. Their daughter who is attending college was home for the holidays and is very active in the church, whether at home or at school. Her parents, on the other hand, haven't been in a very long time.
We just talked for a bit, learning about each other, and then we watched a short Mormon Message. We talked about priorities and what is important to them. Then, Sister Bolitho, who is a very shy woman, just started talking. But it wasn't her words - it was the words of the Holy Ghost which touched her and told her those things that she knew she should be doing. It still amazes me how much the Holy Ghost plays a role in this work.

We also visited a less-active part-member family, the Briggs. Sister Briggs has been struggling with her testimony of the 'one true and living church.' She told of how she listened to the Book of Momron and prayed for three years, and still hasn't had her spiritual manifestation. As we listened and talked and taught and testified (over delicious cake she made for us), we felt that she just needed to know she was loved. She might have a bunch of questions and concerns and stuff, but Heavenly Father still loves her. He wants to bless her with an answer, but in His time and in His way. She did come to church, which was awesome! She put forth her faith to find her testimony for herself.

One more: Luanne. We got word from one of the members that there was a non-member who wanted to feed us, and like the missionaries that we are, we jumped on it. It turns out that Luanne is the sweetest, kindest, most lovable, motherly lady you could ever meet. She let us right in, sat us down on our couch, and started... mothering us! She asked us about our missions, told us that she knew a lot of Mormons. "How?" I asked. "Oh, they just kind of pop into my life!" She's recently changed churches, but is still looking for answers, and while she doesn't want us preaching at us, she is perfectly fine with us talking about the Gospel. Ha! Little does she know, that's exactly how we are taught to teach! So, like King Lamoni, she was caught with guile.
We talked about families and their importance. We talked about God and his love for his children. We talked about all the different churches out there. Most of all, we just listened to her tell us about her children and their triumphs and struggles. And she fed us. That's a pretty good deal to me.

As the mission winds down, I am pretty confident that the Lord loves all His children because of how much He loves me.

Happy New Year, all!

Love,
Elder Alex Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim