Service Feb 3, 2009

Well Well Well,

I was thinking last night about what I could possible write to you all back home that would be entertaining or humorous, but this week was a pretty mellow week. Although there weren't any humorous stories we had a really neat spiritual experience on Sunday.

There is a Filipino member named Freddie who is here in Taiwan working. He served a mission in the Phillipines and is just an amazing member. He comes to Church every week and I translate into English for him. His english is really good. Anyways, after church he asked us to give him a priesthood blessing because he had been feeling really homesick and down since he has gotten here. So after church we went into a class room and talked with him for a little while and then I had the opportunity to bless him. As we placed our hands on his head I felt a tremendous desire help him. He looked so depressed and I was honored to be able to give him a blessing. As I said the blessing I truly felt inspired by the Holy Spirit to say those things that would be a comfort to him at that time. I didn't understand his situation, but the Lord did and he was able to comfort Freddie in his time of need. I know that God knows each of us and he also knows each and every one of our trials and pains. It was such a testimony to me, to be able to act as a tool in the Lord's hand and bless this Filipino brother during one of the many trials of his life. I love serving the Lord. Our opportunities to serve come so suddenly and unexpectedly. Last Sunday i never thought i would be giving Freddie a blessing, but I am so thankfully that I was ready and worthy to act as a servant of the Lord. In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin taught his people "I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17) When we serve others we express our love and gratitude to our Father in Heaven. So get out there and serve somebody! :) hahaha...

Well my time is a little shorter today because there is a member who is taking us to go take a look around the city for a while. I love ya all and hope you are doing okay.

Love,

Elder Craig Anderson