God doesn't answer our prayers solely based on our desires and limited vision

First of all, thank you for your prayers. I felt them, and they definitely worked. It was a great week with lots of success. Elder Hartmann and I have really tried to do our part to get rid of some of the bad habits of this area and make it more successful, and it's paid off. Herr Labuda is feeling much better about things now. We had a great joint-teach with him and our Branch President. He worked with Herr Labuda on figuring out a way where he could pay tithing and feel more secure about it. At the end of the appointment there was a great spirit and I could tell Herr Labuda felt very good about everything. I feel very confident that he will be baptized soon enough and remain a stalwart member.
We also have a new investigator family. They're Russian and don't speak German very well, but they have a 13 year old daughter that speaks pretty well and translates for us. Unfortunately I won't be able to meet with them and see their progress because guess what... I'm being transfered! I leave for Shweinfurt (all I know is that its north of Munich) on Wednesday to work with Elder Erickson.
Every Sunday morning at the end of the transfer, the missionaries get their transfer calls. If you get a call from the A.P.'s, one of you will be transfered. If you get a call from President Condie, one of you will be an A.P., a zone leader, or a mission secretary. If you get don't get a call, you stay together in your same area for another transfer. Anyway, all last week I was terrified that Elder Hartmann would be transfered and the weight of this area would be on my weak, inexperienced shoulders. Yesterday morning was the usual routine, at least for about a half hour. Elder Hartmann's alarm went off at 6:30, he got up to go to the shower, and I stayed in bed. Only I wasn't sleeping soundly like usual. I was lying there nervously anticipating the phone call that would hold my destiny for the next six weeks. As I lie there I prayed to my heavenly father, and said "Father if it be thy will, please let Elder Hartmann stay with me in Kaufbeuren for at least another transfer."
Well the minutes Dragged on, and just as I was starting to feel comfortable and think that we wouldn't get a call, I heard the faint buzzing of our cell phone in the other room. Hear it comes I thought. So I answered with a shaky "just got out of bed" voice and it was Elder Van Wagnen, one of the A.P.'s. "Elder Andersen," he said, "You're needed somewhere else." God had answered my prayer, just not in the way I expected. Elder Hartmann would be staying in Kaufbeuren, but I would be leaving! Gotta admit I was pretty shocked all yesterday. I didn't think for a second that I would be transferred. But so it is that God doesn't answer our prayers solely based on our desires and limited vision, but also on What he knows is best for us and for those we serve, and with his all-seeing eye. I would be kidding myself if I didn't admit that I was a little bummed and scared for many reasons. I was just starting to really build relationships with the members in this area, and I was just starting to feel like I really was getting into the swing of things here. And Its been such a great blessing to have a companion that I get along with so well and have such good times with. Its always scary to venture into the unknown but Its comforting when I know that it is divinely inspired. I'm grateful for the great time I've had in my first transfer and know that God will send me where he needs me and bless me for my service in this next transfer, and for the rest of my mission.
Another side note: Elder Hartmann's new companion is Elder Ray, who was in my group and a good buddy of mine in the MTC. The guy's a stud and I know he's gonna do some great work here.
I love you all and pray for you every day. I thank you again for your prayers. They keep me going and bless my work here. 'till next time!

-Andy

The most important work on the earth right now!

This week, in the simplest of terms, was a tough one. The kind they warn you about in the MTC. Franz Labuda, our golden investigator who was going to be baptized yesterday, informed us on Saturday that he didn't want to be baptized because he felt that he couldn't live the law of tithing. It is a very valid concern, considering his situation, and we did everything we could to reassure him that the Lord would provide away. The three of us knelt together and Elder Hartmann said a beautiful prayer that brought the spirit so strong. When the prayer was over Elder Hartmann was in tears and Herr Labuda was pretty close to being so as well. But after all that we could do, and all that the spirit could do, Herr Labuda still declined his baptism. For many reasons, this was a real emotional struggle for me. For this entire transfer, this tough first transfer of not knowing the language and trying to deal with all the rejection in the right way, Herr Labuda's faith and baptism date has been one thing that reinvigorates my spirits. Whenever I was discouraged I would think to myself, Herr Labuda is proof for me that people actually do accept the gospel. And just a day before his baptism, he canceled on us. All Saturday I was wondering if I could endure two years of what Elder Hartmann refers to as "the foolishness of the people" and if I was doing any good here. Amongst all of these dark thoughts, one thought gave me some hope like a small weak light bulb in a dark room. "There's no way you would ever feel this bad about Labuda if the gospel wasn't true." The spirit whispered to me. I quickly realized that my feelings of heartache for Herr Labuda were a sign that this is the most important work on the earth right now, and that I should do as 2 Nephi 31: 20 says, to "Press forward with steadfastness in Christ, with a perfect brightness of hope." This gospel is true, and it is accepted by people, even in Europe. What I must do now is have an increased love for Herr Labuda, because I know that he has a strong testimony, and I know that if he stays true to what he knows that he will eventually be baptized.
Hope all is well with the rest of the fam and thank you for your prayers and support. Love you all!

-Andy

The joy I got from doing the lords work surpasses any birthday

Hallo Familie,

It is 12:30 on Easter Monday. The town is dead. Everything is closed, which is kind of annoying because we can't do any shopping or run any errands, but its also very peaceful.
Spring has arrived in full force. The weather is perfect. The sun is always shining. I'm so grateful to be in an area where I can drive through the beautiful Bavarian countryside (it really looks just like the sound of music). And I can't believe how green it is here! You seriously have never seen rolling hills this fetchin' green! (oh man I'm starting to use fetch a lot now. I'm definitely a missionary now).
I'm happy to report that this birthday was one of the best of my life. I usually hate birthdays. So much hype and attention over a day that is just like any other. And you can't help but get your expectations up, and the day never matches your expectations. So what made this birthday so great was the fact that I had no expectations except to go out and do the work. And the day ended up being pretty successful. We got a new investigator! What a great birthday present eh? His name is Beudros Essin, a turk who owns (at least i think he owns it) a bistro in Neugablonz He seems pretty open and I'm excited to teach him.

We also found some minor successes going Door to Door that day. We were able to give out some pass along cards, and a couple people told us to come back. Its amazing how the joy I got from doing the lords work surpasses any birthday present I've ever had.
I was able to do something for myself as well on my birthday however. When we returned home that evening, Hartmann and I ordered some pizza, Ice cream, and I ordered myself a nice big coke! I also got a happy birthday song from Sister Condie and a happy birthday song over the phone form Elder Kubik and Elder Sanchez, so that was nice too.
Another special opportunity I had on my birthday was to be able to ponder on the progress I've made since my last birthday. I thought about who I was a year ago. I was having a hard time believing in anything. And now I'm here, on a mission. As I thought about these things I thanked my heavenly father for knocking me into shape, and I thanked my savior for picking me up during those times and leading me to this wonderful place I am in now, in his presence, being a part of his work.
Next Sunday Herr Labuda is getting baptized! I'm really blessed to be able to see a convert baptism this early in my mission I think, because It really helps me to realize that despite the tidal wave of rejection we get every day, that people do accept the gospel!

Hope all is well with you all and that you had a happy Easter. Take care and thanks for your prayers!

Love,

-Andy

Our Message is Jesus Christ and his Plan

Meine Familie,

It's been a great P-Day. Just got back from Neuschwanstein Castle! As soon as I figure out the best way to send pictures I'll send you the pics. The place was beautiful. The castle is so cool reminds me of something from Disneyland. At least the feeling of being somewhere exciting like that was like the feeling of being at Disneyland, and it made me think of how awesome it'll be the next time I get to go to Disneyland with my family.
And everything around the castle was amazing! We took a hike up around the castle, it was a breathtaking view of the Castle and the valley behind it. We also went down to this lake that had a beautiful view of the mountains. I feel pretty lucky that I was able to go to Neuschwantstein this early in my mission, and even luckier that I was able to go at all. Elder Strong, an elder in my district, was telling me that most missionaries don't even get a chance to go to Neuschwanstein.
I've been in Augsburg the past couple days for Conference, which was so great as you know. Elder Holland's talk was my favorite. In Priesthood Elder Eyring gave some great council to new missionaries struggling with a language that really gave me a confidence boost. He said something along the lines of, "Your simple testimony may touch hearts more than the words of your experienced companion". I have seen it happen. It's great to know that in these first months of not knowing the language very well I can always simply bear testimony, and that will always invite the spirit.
A lot of great experiences this week. Discouraging, but great because I have learned so much from them. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me these experiences and putting me through the refiners fire. On Wednesday we went to Bad Wörishofen, a little city in our huge area. Elder Hartmann had never been there before so we thought we'd give it a try. There's no way I ever could have prepared myself for the high level of rejection that we would get in this awful Twilight Zone of a city. The place was a huge retirement community. The average age on the street was seriously about 70. Its pretty normal to get funny looks while street contacting, but as we walked through the streets of Bad Wörishofen those funny looks were taken to a whole new level. We did end up getting one contact, which makes days like that one all worth it, but there were two specific rejections on the street that stuck out to me the most and taught me the most. One was when we had just arrived. We approached two old ladies with the usual "Endschuldigung gany kurtz," and with out missing a beat, one of the ladies looked me straight in the eye and said very firmly, in English, "We are NOT going to talk about Jesus Christ right now. We want to go get some coffee." Her stern words, so stern that I would almost consider her taking the Lord's name in vain the way she said it, were a dagger through my heart. Firstly, because it was in English, and it really bothered me to hear my Saviors name in that tone. Secondly, because it really struck me, more than it ever has before, that when people reject us, they aren't really rejecting US. They are rejecting Jesus Christ and his atonement. This made me feel awful for this woman, and all the people who rejected us so harshly that day. This was a great experience because it increased my love for the people, and my appreciation for and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
My other memorable rejection of the day was with a young guy, practically the only one in the city, who knew the Bible backwards and forwards. He believed that all the revelation we will ever have is the bible and that all churches since the time of Christ, including ours, are of the devil (its a shame that so many people can recognize the apostasy but don't recognize the restoration in our church). We proceeded to get into a pretty intense Bible bash with this guy for a good twenty minutes. Finally, in my broken German, I said to him, look... we could sit here and argue with you about these things all day, but this isn't our message. Our message is not the bible. our message is not the book of Mormon. Our message is Jesus Christ and the plan that he has for you. The guy kept on trying to bash and eventually walk away, but I felt good about the fact that I had testified in Christ and done my best to spread his message.
Near the end of the day we went to this park just out side of the city to get a change of scene and to do some more contacting. Unfortunately, there weren't many people in the park so we only were able to talk to one more person, but it was a great opportunity for a breather that I needed from the days discouragement. As we walked through this beautiful park in the evening sun, all was calm and I was able to feel my savior' love and I knew that he was pleased with my efforts of the day, and that was all I needed to be happy. Whats great about this work, from the missionaries perspective, is that the Lord doesn't care about the outcome of your labors. He only cares that you try your best. What a great comfort that is.

Love,

-Andy

A country for Dog Lovers

Well I made it through my 2nd week and all is pretty much well. My German improves a little each day but its still awful. On Tuesday we taught some friends of a member family at their home and I said something really wrong and all the kids in the family laughed at me. Oh man it was terrible. Not that I blame them, I´m sure I would have laughed too, its just a huge discouragement when you´re trying your best to say something that will help investigators in a language you barely know and then have people laughing at you while you do it. Ah well, all part of the missionary experience ya? I just gotta learn not to let things like that get me down I guess.

Yesterday we went to another little village in our area and once again it was firmly in the grasp of the Catholic Church. Every door "Kein interesse, Ich bin Catolisch." That Catholic Church is killin' me man.
Something I am really enjoying about Germany right now is the fact that it is definitely a country for Dog lovers. There are quite a few places in our area where literally everybody has a dog. And they really love their dogs here. Luciana Beudner, one of our investigators, has this little dog named Benny and he loves me. He always curls up against my leg when we're sitting on the couch. What can I say, "Ever since I can remember animals have always loved me"[A grandpa Andersen Colloquialism].
The food here has definitely not disappointed me. We had a bunch of eating appointments this past week and oh man was it awesome. Just FYI the bread here is so good. I don't know how I'm gonna be able to adjust to lame American bread when I come home. Once you have bread in Germany you feel like you've never had real bread before.
I think my favorite experience this week was the opportunity I had to teach in English. A less active member in our ward is married to a girl from Nigeria who of course speaks English and we were able to teach her and her sister. I don't know how interested they are (they have a lot of questions but I don't know if they are because they are interested or they just are kinda testing us) but it was really nice to be able to express myself while teaching the gospel. And despite how interested they were I could tell that what I said touched them somehow, at least I hope it did. But it was so great to be able to really be part of the conversation during a lesson rather than just a side note that only says a few things in broken German. I also know, however, that If I am diligent that my German will improve and I will be able to fully express myself and invite the spirit in German. Right now its just a matter of patience until I get to that point.
Ok, now for something hilarious. We have this investigator named Dr. Schönweiz. He's this crazy old medicine man (I'm pretty sure he doesn't really have the credentials to call himself "Dr.") who comes up with all these inventions and formulas for disease cures and sends them to Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. He showed us all of them yesterday and Elder Hartmann and I couldn't help but bust a gut reading them, because their ridiculous but he's completely serious about them. He does LSD and stuff and told Elder Hartmann once that he saw God as a chicken or something. He also thinks that when Jesus turned the water into wine, that he ate some type of flower and then peed into the wine to heal the people, so hilarious I can't even take it!
Well I think that's all for now. Keep on rockin in the free world. Take Care!
-Andy