Tampa Address

Sharon Reports to Tampa, Florida

 on (NEXT Monday) November 5th, 2012

Sister Sharon Andersen

Florida Tampa Mission

13153 N. Dale Mabry Ste. 109

Tampa, FL 33618

She leaves EARLY Monday Morning so she will not get mail at the MTC much longer!! Make sure and send mail to the new address until there is another update!! THANKS!!

Letter #2

Thanks daddy. Hopefully President Treadway wasn't too upset :) (she did not turn her missionary picture in before she left for the stake center, so dad had to turn it in for her)

So today P-DAY!! Just got back from the temple and after this we're doing laundry. It's so funny the things we get excited about now -- like showering, and doing laundry, shaving my legs :) And getting to take a nap!!! That is the best thing on p-day during our personal time -- we get to take nap; it's what we all look forward to all week long. When I'm tired in class I try to remember that this is the lord's time; I need to use it wisely and I'll sleep when I'm dead :). So I got my traveling info this week and I'm leaving on the 5th! I have to be on the bus at 3 in the morning to get to the airport. and I think I get to call you on my layover or when I land. Please dear elder me your cell phone number. I can only remember mom's and the house phone... so I don't know around what time I'll be calling I think around 6?? idk?? Sorry, just carry your phone on you, can't wait to hear your voices :D. I miss you guys so much. Every night I think of you guys back home and pray that all is well. Speaking of home, how is everything??? Is the house quiet or what? I'm guessing you guys are so bored with the house completely empty.

 

So time here at the MTC has taught me so much. Every day, even every class, I learn something new. They sure do have amazing teachers here who are so knowledgeable about the gospel. I just want to take a sec to thank you mommy and daddy for raising me in this church and bringing me up this way. I think of all those people in Florida that don't know of their Father in Heaven and that unending love he has for all of them. I can't wait to bring this happiness to them that I've been so lucky to have my whole life. To those people to change their life forever. To help them come unto Christ :)  I love you guys so much and know the lord watching over you and protecting you while I serve. And I want you to know how truly blessed I am to know that my redeemer lives and loves me and answers my prayers. I love you so much!!!!

 

So to answer some questions I've been getting. My comp name is Sister Brownell; sorry I'm trying to hurry not really checking my spelling at all.

The food is good -- not as good as mom's cooking -- but not as bad as Matt made it out to be.

 

Steven - thank you so much for all the letters, yours was the first I got (before mom and dad) I was thinking you guys forgot about me. It's amazing to hear from family. Letters are the BEST! THANKS FOR ALL YOU LOVE AND SUPPORT

Tiffany - you're right I have like no personal time. I have like an hour and half before I go to bed and that's pretty much it. And that's if I don't need to shower and do all that stuff. During that time I try to write in my journal, write about what I want to tell all you guys about since last letter I felt like I was all over the place. Please have the kids send pictures and letter. That makes my week! Love you guys so much.

Melissa - thanks for all the letters and the card. Just so you know I cry every time I open your letter. So I got your letter and Mom and Crystal and Tiffany on the same day and yours was longer than all of theirs put together. You wrote like 2 pages worth and Mom only wrote one little paragraph ;). I'm going to try to answer to write you a hand writing letter while I do my laundry cause I don't have enough time to answer everything and I need to tell you about the elders ;) Love you!! And have Hayhay practice her letters and send to me:) Love you guys so much!!!!!

Crystal - thanks for the little letter :) Love hearing from you. But write me more I want to hear about what going on? What's new? How's school going? Still going to the singles ward (any new scoop) How's Kevin? Love you sister can't wait to hear more about how your doing

Dad - I'm running out of time I think I'll have to write you a hand written letter to to answer all your questions. But I was so glad to hear your trip went well. Sounded like you guys did a lot and got to visit a lot of family. I can't wait to see everyone again. Let everyone know I'm praying for them and can't wait to see everyone again. I'm trying really have to make them proud and to wear the Andersen name proud. But even more to be the best representative of Jesus Christ. And do my Father in Heaven proud and to use his time wisely and serve him well. 

Love,

Sister Andersen

FIRST LETTER!~

Dear Family,

All is well! It's crazy how fast time fly's here at the M.T.C. It feels just like yesterday that I was dropped off; but than at the same time the days are so LONG AND TIRING! It is all such a blur, my companion and I have a hard time remembering what day it is. Speaking of my companion; her name is Sister Brownell and she's from Oregon. She going to the Mesa Arizona Mission at the Visitor's Center... she is amazing! The lord sure knows us well; he paired me with someone that I fully get along with. We laugh and have fun together but when the time comes we can get serious and focus on what is at hand.

So Day 1 ~ I got dropped off and I did cry and tear up saying goodbye to Mom and Dad, but it wasn't a complete sad cry. It was a "bittersweet I'm going to miss you guys so much; but I know this is going TO BE SO WORTH IT IN THE END" cry. As soon as Mom and Dad drove away the tears were gone; I was completely happy and had an amazing sense of calm come over me. After that I was able to meet up with my temporary companion. I think she told me she was going to Cuba! She was very helpful showing me around and answering any question I had . I got a short tour of the place, dropped my stuff off, and I was off to class! I was surprised they put you right to work at the M.T.C. no time to waste! They did not give us time to unpack and get settled in;  it was off to class! It was then that I was assigned to Sister Browell. We had workshops and meetings to attend all day. It was non-stop from place to place. By the end of the day I was so tired, but sadly I haven't been sleeping well. If possible please send something from home to help me sleep; a teddy bear, a blanket, or a nightlight... LOL??? (ask the idea man A.K.A. Dad) It's crazy  I have learned so much since I have been here and it hasn't even been a week! I feel like if I went home even now I would not be the same person. I feel myself changing, learning and realizing what really is important in this life. I can't wait to help the people of Florida so they can have the happiness I've been blessed to have my whole life. I'm so thankful to be born in such a amazing family. I have so many example's in my life of who to look up too.  Mom and Dad Thank You for all you do for me!!! And all my sisters and my brother; I love you and miss you. I think of you daily and can't wait till the next time we are all together again.

I'll try to type faster next week. But I am doing amazing here. I'm not saying it's easy; its is not! It is really really hard here. they are pushing and pushing us out of our comfort zone. I know it going to make me a better missionary so I am trying to keep happy. Dad do you remember what Sierra said before came in? I can't remember the end of it...

I wish I could tell you more but I am running out of time. I am so slow at typing; something I will have to work on. On the next email there will be a lot of pictures because I forgot my flash drive in my room. Dad please fix any misspelled words I may have. I only have 30 mins so not a lot of time to proof read. :) I Love You guys so much!!!! More and more everyday! And I miss you guys so much!! Please while I am at the M.T.C. please write me on dear elder because I only have 30 minutes to read and write emails.  

And Thank You Steven for writing me It's the only letter that I have gotten so far :(  It made my day! I love you guys so much and hope for only the best for all of you guys!  Please continue to pray for me, I'll need it. And please have the kids send me pictures and letters! That goes for EVERYONE. Dad has my address if you need it. Can't wait to hear from you guys!

Love,

Sister Andersen !!!

I sent Steven (Tiffany's husband) a Text about what his trick was for getting a letter to her so soon. He used this site http://mtcmail.called2serve.com. It is a free service; and they deliver mail on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays to the MTC. You click on the link on the upper left hand that says SEND LETTER NOW, then it populates drop down menus to fill in. Info you may not know: her mission is Florida Tampa, her Departure date is Nov. 5th, and her MTC Box # is 192. After you write the letter you have to agree to the Terms of use and then they send you an email to confirm your email and then you approve the letter with the link they send. Let's show her some love and send her some letters!!
LOVE ~ Melissa

Hittin' up the MTC!!

Today is the OFFICIAL DAY! 

Sister Andersen is IN the BUILDING!!

(The MTC Building to be exact!~)

My parents dropped her off at 12:30...

This blog is for family and friends to read her letters.

Sharon will not respond to any comments left on the blog, but I am sure she would LOVE to get snail mail from you!! I will keep her address up to date so you are able to write her as often as you would like!

Missionary ~