Thoughts For The Week

I like to think that Reed still has his arm around his little brother.

As I have been sitting here this morning just trying to figure out how to write this letter, I have honestly just been engulfed in the love of our Savior. Right now, the sun is shinning and the birds are chirping and I am feeling some of the most peace and calm that I have felt in a very long time.

As this weekend approaches I look forward to hearing the words of our Prophet and General Authority's again. April Conference will always be a very special time in my life, because last year, that is one of the things that gave me comfort after the passing of Reed.

This Thursday, the 29th, as you know will be the one year mark of Reeds passing. My mind is often sidetracked towards him, wondering what he is doing and wishing that I could be with him. But time after time, my mind is turned to the words of the hymn, "Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives, I know that my Redeemer lives." Because Christ lives, Reed lives. Because Christ died for each and every one of us, and felt the pains and sorrows that we all feel, we can turn to him. He will wrap his loving arms around us. This is not something I believe, but something I know, because I have done it. I have turned my mind and will over to the Lord, and the joy and peace that comes through his loving arms are incredible.

For the last week or two I have been preparing myself for this week and this letter by reading the experiences that others had with his passing, listening to the recording of the funeral, and also watching the video, and there are a few points from each that I would like to share.

From reading of the experiences of others, there is one major theme found throughout all of them, and that is the love and comfort that can only come through our God and through our Savior Jesus Christ. There is not one person in this world who could convince me that these two people are not real. We have felt them. We have received comfort from them. And we have been blessed by them. Their power is real, if we will only but knock and ask, we will receive their everlasting peace and comfort. As I stated above, this was the greatest relief for I believe all of us.

While listening to the funeral, there is a very major part that stood out to me, and those were some of the words of President Howell. He said, "Reed would want us to leave this meeting only stronger in our faith, firmer in our conviction, and more determined in our quest for eternal life." Not only is it true that he would have wanted us to leave that meeting with this same resolve, but he would want us to leave all of our experiences with this resolve. Looking back on his life, all of his accomplishments and all of his pains, I grew from them. Reed suffered so that we might learn. Reed suffered so that we could have this firmer resolve for good.

Watching the video of pictures, I have been reminded of feelings, stories, and adventures we had together. I have had feelings of love and peace completely come over me. I have felt Reed and his spirit countless times, just always there when I needed that little extra push. I can testify that the veil is thin. Reed and all our other loved ones are not far from us. I testify that the plan of Salvation is real. I know that without a doubt that if we live worthy of it, we will see Reed again.

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So this will be a quick little letter since I have another one written.
This week was great! The weather out here is crazy! I am loving it though. I am starting to get these really nice tan lines on my neck and also my arms. I'm liking it.

So we picked up two new investigators this week by doing some service. I was able to use spanish for the first time out here.

While we were tracting somebody was acting like they didn't know English so they wouldn't have to talk to us, so I started talking to them in Spanish, and then I just hear the daughter laughing really hard! It was hilarious.

Other than that, not a whole lot happened.

I met an Elder who originally was serving in the Tijuana Mission till he got hit by a car and broke his leg. he said the mission is great! Hope you have a great week!

Elder Anderson