First area - Potosi, MO

Elder Anderson arrived in Missouri on Nov 29th and loves it!! He met with his new mission president, President Clark and thought he was "awesome". I think part of that is because President Clark said he would be allowed to have an instrument while on his mission. That has made Kody very happy. He has been asked by his zone leaders to play a few songs at their Christmas devotional. His first area is Potosi, MO. It is a very small country town and the area has just recently been opened after being closed for awhile due to inactivity. He and his new companion, Elder Marshall, have been very busy doing a lot of tracting trying to find new investigators. Last week he wrote about a great experience they had......

"Last night we were out looking for a former investigator who hadn't been taught since she was ten. We went to the house that her records said she was at, but there was no answer. We were heading back to the car and we remembered that you always tract around a former's house. So, we went to one house, no one was there. At the next house, we knocked and a kid named Josh answered the door. He is about sixteen and he let us in. It turned out to be his friends house who was about 16 and her mom wasn't there. We sat down and talked with them for a little bit and she knew we were missionaries. We asked how she knew about the church and she told us that when she was about ten, she was taught the lessons by the missionaries! I was shocked! This was the same girl that we were looking for. It turns out that the previous missionaries put the other address down because members lived there and that is where she was taught. She was very receptive to our lesson and we will be teaching her again this week. My testimony has really grew about the importance of tracting."

They are currently in a branch of about 40 members. They may be helping with teaching a mission prep class or possibly a gospel doctrine class after the first of the year. He loves the people in the area and says it is incredible what they will do for you. We look forward to hearing from Elder Anderson on Christmas Day. He has permission to skype his family!! This will be his mom's favorite Christmas gift.

One of Elder Anderson's first homemade dinners

Potosi, MO.....small country town!!

Elder Anderson's new trainer......Elder Marshall

Elder Anderson and President and Sister Clark

On my way to St Louis!!

Kody called home on Nov 29 from the Salt Lake Airport. He was on his way to St Louis and entering into a new phase of his mission. He sounded great! He was excited, anxious, and nervous all at the same time. He loved his MTC experience and all the great people he met there. There were seven missionaries headed to his mission so he has plenty of company. We are now anxiously waiting to hear from him and where he is serving. We will post his current address as soon as we get one from him. Thanks to all those who continue to support Kody during this exciting time of his life. I know he would appreciate all the letters you could send!

Called To Serve(:

Kody's MTC experience

We got our first letter from Kody on Nov 15th, which happened to be Mom's birthday. It was all she could ask for! The best part was not only did we get the letter in the mail, but we got an email too. It was his P-day and he didn't know if we had gotten his letter. It was amazing to see the growth in just the couple of days between the two. He was a little homesick at first, but once he saw all his old friends and got into the routine he let the spirit take over. He loves his instructors and is truly learning to teach by the spirit, which is his favorite part. He told us that as he was teaching an "investigator" and the spirit was so strong that she began to cry. He said he has never felt anything like it.

His companion is Elder Wells from Denver, CO. Kody says he is really quiet and he usually carries the conversation. (Imagine that!). He loves his district and found out that he knew the girlfriend of one of the elders. He got some food poisoning into his second week. Some elders in his district gave him a blessing and he felt better. He said it was a cool experience. He has already gotten a few care packages which I know he appreciates. He is loving his experience there and feels like the time is flying by. He will leave the MTC on the 29th of Nov for Missouri. This Thanksgiving, his family is very grateful for Kody and his desire to serve the Lord at this time in his life.

Last hugs!

Kody just before entering the MTC

Today Elder Anderson is entering the MTC! He is so thankful for all of the friends and family who has got him to this point. This blog will stay updated with all the latest news on his mission. Post and follow this blog! Elder Anderson's address info is on the side bar.