Letter #17

 Dear family!

I just wanted to send a couple pictures before I ran out of time :) because that always happens....and those are from Sister Westberg's camera (because my camera died) at Jessica's baptism. :(  But she was nice enough to let me steal some pictures from hers.  I'm planning on sending my SD card today...but I wanted to make sure you get some pictures from Jessica's baptism.

And the other pictures -- I just want to start sending more pictures of Florida so you guys can see how beautiful it is. :)  That picture is from a pretty crazy day!!!  Everything was falling through; even our dinner appointment fell through. :(  So we ended up going to Subway (thank you family for the gift cards; definitely putting those to good use) and we just rode by and had to go back and take a picture because it's so pretty.  That's one thing I've learned and really appreciate about Sister Westberg -- she's very go-with-the flow and doesn't let things upset her.  She really, really helps me when I'm starting to freak out.  It's hard now because I'm the trainer and am trying to show her and... really we're just learning together because there's so much I don't know. 

But I'm starting to get sad because this transfer is almost over because it's only 5 weeks instead of 6.  And I keep getting the feeling that I'm not staying in Naples much longer and that I'm going to get a new companion because we're having too much fun. :)  And because there are 21 sisters coming out in this transfer.....can you believe it?  So in the next couple transfers, it's going to be about even sisters to elders :) which is very exciting!!!  Of that 21, nine (9) Spanish sisters are coming out and I think we only have 6 total Spanish sisters....so we don't know how they're going to get everyone trained.  Some sisters might be training 2 sisters, some might have to be trained by English sisters...we don't know.  President said some sisters are going to be training after only 5 weeks!! which is crazy :/  I was scared enough training after 12 weeks.

So Sister Westberg and I keep trying to guess what they're going to do with all the new sisters. I'm really hoping I get to spend at least another transfer with Sister Westberg or that they add another sister to us so we're a  trio  :)  But we won't know until next week.  Transfer calls happen on Saturday morning; so next week I guess we'll all find out.  I'll keep you updated!!!

BTW, Mommy, did you get my letter????  I hope it got to you on time :)  And please let me know when you get it.  Sorry, it's nothing big.  I should have asked weeks in advance what you wanted but i didn't -- sorry.  I want to hear all about your birthday in next letter!!  I hope you have an amazing birthday!!!  I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!! AND MISS YOU ALWAYS, I wish I could be there; UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!!!!

Sister Sharon Andersen

Letter #16

 DEAR FAMILY!!
 THIS LAST WEEK WAS AWESOME!!! The highlight defiantly being Jessica getting baptized!! We had her baptism on Saturday :) It was a crazy, crazy day; luckily everything worked out. So I don't think i told you last week... (Because when we first meet with Jessica we set a date with her for February 23 to be baptized.) We later found out that stake conference was that Sunday and they don't usually do confirmations in stake conference. IDK?? (=I don't know) So we started freaking out! We decided to call the district leader to see if there was anything we could do. Sister Westberg and I felt impressed that was the day she could be ready. After talking with the Elders (who had the similar experiences and had to move there date back a week.) Sister Westberg and I were totally bummed thinking that there was nothing we could do :(  We started to think about moving it back; but we both just got sick to our stomach; that just didn't feel right! Not at all!!  So we both just got on our knees and we prayed and prayed about what we should do.  We had already prayed about it and felt like the 23rd was the correct day and moving it back another week didn't feel right so we were just stuck... and getting super discouraged. THEN, we both felt like we should move it up a week. (meaning we had one week to go through the rest of the lessons, and put a baptism together!) Once that thought came to both of our minds we knew!!! We just had to break the news to Jessica; which we were both really worried about ( I don't know why? Because she was so ready!)   We ended up doing a church tour (which is just taking investigators around the church building and showing all the beautiful artwork and explaining the background :) I guess these church tours have been very successful in our mission area. Anyways... we changed it around a little and ended the tour in the room with the baptismal font and we broke the news to Jessica. We  had to ask her if she thinks she could be really a week earlier....... and she was so EXCITED!!!!! She said "I don't have to wait an extra week?" and then she said she would love too!
 Sister Westburg and I were so thankful, we didn't want to wait any longer either. She was beyond ready, and she knew it too! So the baptism was totally last minute throw everything together! :/ On top of that the Elders (in our ward) did the same thing; so we did a joint baptism. On the day of the baptism for Jessica we spend all day at the church cleaning the building. We were trying to clean the baptismal font (it was so gross~ the water comes out green :/ but that is another story) And we also had to make a TON OF refreshments! (we texted 35+ people and no one could help us out; everyone that texted us back was out of town :( or busy) and Sister Westberg and I ended up making 100+ cookies that day! It was crazy! That is why my letter last week was so lame. I was worried about all the stuff we needed to get for her baptism... we did our best and it turned out great! She loved it all and couldn't stop smiling. We actually did a special musical number in it as well! All the missionaries from our zone sang I believe in Christ it was so neat :)  It was such a testimony builder for me! Once again the Lord will provided a way! We just need to always have faith and truth in him!
 Dang it, I am already out of time and didn't get to tell you all the other stuff that happened this week! Why does that always happen??? I'm really going to try to start writing you during the week because there is always more stuff I want to tell you, there is just never enough time and I am getting jewed 30 minutes because the Library is closing. The Library here closes at 7? Really? It is just because everyone is super old and they go to bed at like 4. LOL. (=Laugh out Loud)

 Sister Sharon Andersen

Pictures from Last Letter #15

My Mom did not get the attachment pictures Sharon said she had sent, 

but My Dad did and he forwarded them onto us...

 I thought you would like to see them...

 Jessica the investigator getting baptized this Saturday and Sister Andersen

Sister Andersen excited about her new sassy watch that 

Grandma and Grandpa Smith got her for her Birthday!!

Letter #15

 DEAR FAMILY!!!
This has been a great week!! I am really starting to see the work moving forward, and our efforts seem to be starting to pay/kick off. A lot has happened in a week. We just set a baptism date with one of our investigators for this Saturday!! :) Sister Westberg and I are SO EXCITED! The investigators name is Jessica, she was the referral we got from another set of Elders... (they gave it to us because she lived in our area yyaaayyy!!) She was already taught all the lessons before in Arizona, and had previously had a date set to be baptized, but ended up moving to Florida and lost contact with the Elders back home. She recently ran into these Elders and said she wanted to get back into the L.D.S. Church. The funny thing is after she meet the elders again (the ones in Florida) she started praying that they needed to send sisters to teach her :) So the very next day WE show up at her door; as a answer to her prayers. :) I LOVE THAT!!  It's just shows me, and is a testimony builder, that people being placed in our path that are prepared and ready. :) It also teaches me about how Heavenly Father is the perfect planner.  He plans everything out perfectly; and has a endless amount of back up plans too. :D
The Elders in Arizona did a great job teaching her, but she just said she really wanted Sisters to come teach her, :) so this week we've been working with her a lot, and helping preparing her. :) So attached a picture of her so you guys can see her and not have to wait until next week. (Sorry, pictures didn't show up.)

We will take a ton of pictures on Saturday. By the way talking about pictures, you never answered my question can I send you my memory card? The Rays got me another memory card for Christmas; but I don't know if you can upload them to the computer or not? I think I can send those in a regular letter, because it is flat. I would have to go to the post office to send my flash drive. idk?? (= I don't know) Just let me know, either way I'll send something with a ton pictures from Mary and Jessica's baptism next Monday. :  The other picture is for Grandma and Grandpa Smith :) Please forward to her and tell her thank you for my watch I LOVE IT!!!!

THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU!! FIRST TO THE FELLER FAMILY FOR THE CUTE CARD AND MONEY! ( I can definitely buy myself a nice lunch with that) AND NEXT TO THE RAYS FOR MY GIFT CARD!  I'M THINKING I'M GOING TO SAVE THAT FOR IF I EVER GET SHORT ON MONEY. :)THEN TO GRANDMA AND GRANDPA ANDERSEN FOR YOUR NICE CARD AND LETTER. :) I JUST LOVE HEARING THE UPDATES ON HOW EVERYBODY IS DOING PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING :)!!! AND AGAIN THANK YOU MOMMY AND DADDY FOR MAKING MY BIRTHDAY SPECIAL EVEN FROM SO FAR AWAY. LOVE YOU BUNCHES!!!!!

I am really starting to feel more at home here in Naples, Florida!!! I am starting to get the hang of things and love the work!!! I think you have heard it before, but the companion you have makes a  huge difference! I'm going to say it again I love Sister Westberg!!! I can totally be myself with her and she understands me. I feel like we're such a good team. I realized the other day she reminds me a lot of Melissa :D  I think that is why I like her so much! They both have the same sense of humor which makes me so HAPPY. :) She is kinda my little piece of home for me. (In a good way I mean) I hope that make sense? Well I'm running out of time. :( LOVE YOU ALL!!! YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS ALWAYS!!! 

TILL WE MEET AGAIN :)

SISTER SHARON ANDERSEN!

Letter # 14

Dear family!

This week has been CRAZY! BUT good; always good. I love my new companion btw:) (=by the way) She is amazing, and we just clicked from day one! We are laughing, joking, telling stories, and talking about our families; and almost peeing out pants (I mean skirts lol.) But then we are serious when we need to be. We are a lot alike, and have the same sense of humor. It has really helped. Honestly; I am starting to feel more like myself again:) 
Not to talk bad about Sister Williamson; because I grew to love her.
I just honestly don't think she understood me, and I didn't feel like I could be myself with her. However, I am really happy now! I'm starting to love the people, and the work more. So anyways... stuff about my new companion... Her name is Sister Westberg, she is 20 years old, she is from Utah (don't told it against her ;) and she is really sweet. So you got the pictures? Sweet!! :) 
Bishop's wife; Sister Lindsay sent those to you. (she has two kids on missions and someone did that for her daughter and she really liked it) that way you did not have to wait until Monday to see the pictures. And it is a good thing because I forgot to bring my cord again, Sorry! I'm going to try to print some pictures today at Wal-mart to send to everyone :)

THANKS EVERYONE FOR THE BIRTHDAY EMAILS, CARDS, and PRESENTS :D!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Smith for my sassy new pink watch, and for a little play money :) I think I tell you this every time, but you pick out the best cards! :) Maybe it is a Grandma thing or it must run in the family, because my mom makes/picks out the best cards too. Thank You family for my package :) I got it the day before my birthday? I think... it was super heavy. Sorry Mom, I opened it the day before my birthday! I hope that is alright? I would have had to wait until 9 pm on my birthday otherwise. I'm glad I did because then I got to wear my NEW DRESS!! Which I loved by the way! Thank You Mommy and Daddy!!! (even though I am pretty sure daddy did not pick it out;) Way more of Mom's taste lol. I did take pictures, but again I forgot my cord :(
Sorry... Thank You for all the recipes too!! We ended up making
cupcakes so I could share with everyone. I'm planning on doing them in the mugs soon! Love the idea :D And I loved the card mom; Where did you get those? I did not think they made those in California? I also loved the puzzle Daddy :) That is what made me start really crying. It kinda worked out nice, I got all my crying done the night before; and we were so busy on my birthday that I kinda forgot until we got home that it was my special day. So I  did not have the chance to get too home sick.
So training has been going great! Now looking back I don't know what I was so worried about!? I love my new companion. We get along great, and are having fun along the way :) I was totally honest with her from the start telling her that I have only been out for 12 weeks. And letting her know that I don't know everything; not even close. I told her that we are going to learn together. She has been great; putting in her input, and helping to decide what we should
do. It has been a very good week we got 2 new investigators!! One of them was a referral from another set of missionaries; she is golden :) I was inviting her to be baptized and I could not even get through the whole question before she said yes. We are going to set a date with her on Wednesday! I am excited  My companion and I have been praying and we think she can be ready by the 22nd or 23rd! :))))) I'll for sure keep you updated on that. Her name is Jessica btw. (=by the way) 
Then we also started teaching one part-member family in our ward. She doesn't seem overly interested YET, but she will be :)
Sorry this letter is so short. I took too long writing President Summerhay's and explaining everything to my trainee  My next letter will be better. I am going to try to write a hand written letter this week (I feel like i say that every week). LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!!! I love all you guys!!! Please keep the prayers, letters, cards, and support coming. I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Sister Sharon Andersen out!

P.S. Sorry if I didn't answer all the questions. Please number them and put them at the top of the next letter.

PICTURES!!

Sister Andersen's new companion...

We do not know NAMES yet, hopefully we hear about it on Monday!!

The Four Sisters sharing the apartment in Naples!!