Letter from President

 PRESIDENT ROBERT M. ANDRADA 

PHILIPPINES LAOAG MISSION 

Brgy. 50 Buttong, Airport Avenue 

Junction Tangid Road,

 Laoag City 2900 Ilocos Norte,

 Philippines 

 August 24, 2016 

Brother James V. Anderson 

Sister Andrea Yardley Anderson 

Dear Brother and Sister Anderson, 

We are delighted with the arrival of Elder Luke Daniel Anderson. Thank you for sending us such a fine missionary son. He is an exemplary young man and we are proud and privileged to have him serve with us. He has arrived in good health with a wonderful spirit and desire to serve. 

His first assignment is to labor in San Juan, Ilocos Sur with a wonderful trainer, Elder Cerbolles. The enclosed map shows you geographically where he is serving. Also enclosed is a photograph taken with Sister Andrada, his trainer and me at the Mission home. 

Please remember to write every week. Letters from home are so important for missionaries and can greatly influence their successful adjustment into missionary life. May I suggest you include positive and encouraging news and comments and omit information about family or other concerns as this only generates worry and anxiety. 

Missionaries of course serve with an “eye single to the Glory of God.” Their entire focus, therefore, needs to be on their work and ministry. Help and encourage him to do this. Please do not mention how much time is remaining for him, or special events you may have planned for him on his return, as this will only act as a distraction to his service. With your encouragement he will mature and progress beyond your expectations. 

Be comforted and know that Sister Andrada and I will love him as our own and do all we can to help him develop and rise to his full potential. We also want his mission experience to be a wonderful experience for your entire family. We extend our love and best wishes to you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you or him. 

Yours sincerely, 

President Robert M. Andrada

Manila MTC

Hello From the Philippines!!!!

I, Elder Anderson, have successfully traversed the Pacific Ocean and arrived safely in the Philippines, the Promised Land.  I know that God blessed us with safety, and I'm very thankful for that.  Right now, it is 5:38 pm on August 19... so the time difference is pretty huge.  

Just wanted to let you all know that I love you and I'm ever so grateful for your prayers!  Mahal ko kayo.  

There are many stories to be told from my travels, but we aren't given a lot of time to email right now, so those will be for another time.

Thank you so much, I love you all.

-Elder Anderson

Calls From the Airport

We had a wonderful experience talking with Luke while he waited at the airport for his departure.  He had written each member of the family a hand-written note before he left the MTC.  Savannah went out to get the mail the day he was leaving and got the letters.  She distributed them and read hers about five minutes before the phone rang.  She picked up the phone and said, "hello."  I could slightly hear the caller ask, "Hey, who is this?"  Savannah broke down sobbing and couldn't even talk.  I know her heart was already tender because of the words Luke had written to her and then picking up the phone and hearing his voice brought her to tears.  It was a very tender and sweet moment.

We all got to take some time and visit with Elder Anderson.  His excitement was palpable and his vision clear.  It was fun to share in his enthusiasm for the Gospel and the things he had learned in the MTC.  I know that he had a great experience there and grew a lot.

I had the opportunity to talk to him twice because he called around midnight from the California airport where he had a layover.  I asked him what was one of the most important lessons he learned while in the MTC.  He answered, without hesitation, that we have to have faith.  Not only do we have to have faith but we have to utilize it.  He shared some experiences with me where he realized he had to turn things over to the Lord and have faith that He would carry him.  He also shared with me how he learned that patience isn't an easy virtue for him but he is working on it.  

I feel so blessed to have this young man as my son and I am grateful for the example he sets for me and my family.  I know he will have many more lessons to learn and many things he will teach.