He is my King!!

Yesterday we got to visit the temple in Oakland yesterday. Every time we get to go to the temple, I have trouble sleeping the night before because I am so excited to enter the House of the Lord and feel so close to Him there. It was a beautiful experience being able to spend a few hours feeling like a daughter of God in such a pure and real way.

After the temple, we stopped by the visitor's center real quick just to look at the Christus statue there. I stood for a moment and looked up at the face of my Savior, my Redeemer, my Brother, my Friend and as I turned around I realized that Elder Millard had taken a picture of me.




I love this picture because it truly candidly depicts how I feel about the my Savior Jesus Christ.
He is my King!
When I look up and remember Him - this is how I feel. He is the reason that I have joy in my life. He is the reason I feel constant and consistent peace and hope. I have never been lacking in happiness because He lives and He loves me.

So this picture is my testimony of the Savior as I stand at the foot of a statue of Him

And this: http://bcove.me/0e12u6ds
is the testimony of an apostle of the Lord as he stands at the foot of the Christus statue.

I too know that He lives. I believe in Christ; so come what may. I will worship Him with all my might!!

The way the Spirit speaks.

My good friend, Sorella Baker, is the other missionary that is featured in my blog picture (on the left). We were in the MTC together until she left for Italy. I have fond memories of studying the scriptures for HOURS together before the mission and laughing about how bad we were going to be at speaking our mission languages (me leaving to serve in Spanish - her in Italian) I remember discussing our worries about being able to adequately convey the message of Jesus Christ to people in a language that we were just learning.

We both quickly learned together in the MTC that the Holy Ghost speaks Spirit to Spirit - and it didn't matter if we were saying things wrong, because we knew that what we were saying was true.

I recently received a story from a dear friend of mine that was baptized almost 8 months ago

"So last night I went to this I Am Mormon fireside and two sisters got up and sang I know my redeemer lives first verse in English, then one sang a verse in Spanish, and well one sang the next one in Italian. I was sitting next to K and we just looked at each other and started crying it was so beautiful. It really testified that the spirit knows no language. During that song it was almost impossible not to think about you and Sorella Baker while those two sisters sang in the language both of you have been teaching in. After the song I looked over to Ks sister's friend who had come with us and I saw that she was crying. I obviously don't know what she was feeling, but the spirit was so strong during that song it was impossible not to feel it. It brought me back to when I was first learning about the church and I felt the spirit but didn't recognize it as that. It's just really special seeing someone who is feeling the spirit, but doesn't know quite yet  - but the blessings are so close."

And all I really have to say is AMEN to her experience. The Spirit really does speak straight to our hearts, to our souls. I see it daily. It is incredible. And I know that the Spirit wouldn't testify in that way if what we taught wasn't true. The Spirit only testifies of truth (Jacob 4:13) I know that it is true. The Spirit has taught me that in many languages.

I Am Repenting.

Repentance: is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives you a fresh view about God, about yourself, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments. (Ref from True to the Faith)

I've been thinking a lot about repentance lately. When I was a kid I remember thinking of repentance as a big scary word - something bad that we needed to be afraid of.
Now as an adult, repentance is my best friend. Repentance is the sweetest thing in the world.
There have been times on my mission where I have felt myself crave repentance. Not because I've done anything really wrong - but because I hadn't been doing something as right, good, exact, fully, as I could.
That relief. That fresh view about myself, my Heavenly Father, and the world - tastes so so good.
Repentance is healing. It is healing our soul from the disease of sin.

Elder Richard G Scott once said:

"If one of you has seriously sinned, repent—now. It is not good to violate the commandments of the Lord. It is worse to do nothing about it. Sin is like cancer in the body. It will never heal itself. It will become progressively worse unless cured through the medicine of repentance." (Dont Face the World Alone)

I love that. Our Savior Jesus Christ has given us the cure; He has provided us the medicine. It is our decision whether we are going to take it or not. We can be healed. We can be clean. It is our decision.

How do we gain that?

The Book of Mormon teaches the doctrine of Christ so simply.

In 3 Nephi 9:13 Christ asks "will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?"

Earlier in 2 Nephi 31 the Savior explains perfectly and simply that "returning to Him" means having faith in Him, repenting, being baptized in His name by somebody who holds His authority, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

verse 11 states: And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.

and verse 12: And also, the voice of the Son came unto me saying: he that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me: wherefore, follow me and do the things which ye have seen me do

So what does that mean for those that have already been baptized by somebody who holds the authority of God?

We must continue to grow and cultivate our faith in Jesus Christ, repent till the end, renew our baptismal covenants in partaking of the sacrament, be worthy and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, progress till the end, and help others take these steps as well.

That is where healing comes from. That is where peace comes from. That is the way that He has shown us to return to live with our Heavenly Father and our families forever.

His invitation is to heal us. Our decision is whether we will let Him.

Repentance is changing to be more like Him. When we live more like Him, we are happier. Period.

So this post is about repentance. It is about my repentance. How I am now repenting for my lack of attention to my own blog. I am forgetting those weeks of neglect and being a better representative of my Savior Jesus Christ.

Posts to come. Count on it. It wouldn't be lasting repentance if I went back to my heathen non-posting ways.

How much does Heavenly Father love us? pt. 1

I was thinking the other night about the incredible proof of Heavenly Fathers love for us - collectively as His children, but also individually and personally. If there is one thing that I know - it is that I am a daughter of God and He loves me. My thoughts have molded into 2 different posts. Here is number 1: a reminder.

We learned in this last General Conference from President Uchtdorf (pictured below) about the truth that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us and He loves us. If I could - I would force every one of you to click this link right -> here and watch this talk - just to soak it up.

President Uchtdorf reminded us: "wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name—you are the daughters of His kingdom.

The Psalmist wrote:

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? …

“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." (Psalms 8:3-5)

God loves you because you are His child. He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes.

He also urged us to "always remember—you matter to Him!" (Talks found here and here)


If there is just one thing that I could drill into anybody's head today it is this - you are a child of God. You are literally His child and He loves you. He will never stop loving you. No matter your circumstance. No matter anything you may have done in your life. He. loves. you.

Don't believe me? Ask Him.
Just ask. He will answer you. You are His dear child that He has been anxious to hear from.

Testifying Tuesday: Sister Kahrs Too Can Testify

Hi! I am Sister Kahrs!
(Sister Kahrs: full-time missionary from Las Vegas can be found writing over HERE)

Hello to all that read Hermana Anderson's blog! Isn't she amazing!?

I am so grateful to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon. It has been such a great strength for me in my life. It has brought a deeper understanding and relationship with my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. This book, this sacred book, testifies of Him and who He is and how much He loves us. This is another testament of Him. I have felt that so much in my life. As I have gone through trials and struggles in my life I have turned to prayer and The Book of Mormon, especially as a missionary.

Our Heavenly Father is aware of all our struggles and He gives us the Book of Mormon to help us in those struggles. There was one time I was doubting my testimony of God and knowing if he was really there. So I decided to put all that I have been taught to the test. Then one day, not right away, I came across the scripture in Alma 30:44 - It says that all things denote there is a God. When I read that I just knew that He was there just by looking around me.

I know that He lives and loves us and gives us the Book of Mormon to help bring us joy. I have seen that in my life and I know that all men everywhere can as well when they read and pray about it. The Book of Mormon is how I know that there is a prophet on the earth and that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

I will never wash my right hand again...

There are no concrete rules and guidelines for the creation of a persons "bucket list"
(sidenote:  Bucket List = a list of items a person dreams of accomplishing or experiencing before they "kick the bucket")
(2nd sidenote: Kick the Bucket = dying)

I, too, have created a bucket list in my life. Mine is several pages long and contains such dreams such as "ride in a hot air balloon" and "finish an entire Chipotle burrito" and "finish an entire Chipotle burrito while riding in a hot air balloon"

There are 3 people that have made it onto my extremely exclusive Bucket List - 3 people that I simply must meet before I die.
2 of them will be kept secret right now but the THIRD, and possibly most important (as it is the only female) is Sister Julie B Beck:




A couple weeks ago I was sitting with my past and now far away companion, Hermana Rupp, after planning and we were discussing my love, nay obsession, with this woman.

I told her about how back home my family wouldn't flinch when I would say things such as "I was hanging out with Jules today and she taught me this awesome thing" and proceed to share something that I heard learned from studying one of Sister Beck's talks. (I like to refer to her as if we are great friends, because I feel that we are with all that she has helped me understand about myself, the divine role of womanhood, and the world around me. Although the appropriateness of nicknaming dear Sister Beck in the comfort of my family dinner table is still up for argument)
I really do feel like she is one of my dearest friends, somebody I can rely on to guide me in my life. She has shaped my perspective and been the instrument of me feeling the spirit many times.

Hermana Rupp and I continued to talk about our love for this woman and I ended the conversation with a loud "ONE DAY I will meet her. I just have to"

Fast forward to this morning. The same Hermana Rupp is standing to my right and I am looking into the eyes of this dear friend of mine. I barely muster a "good morning, Sister Beck" as she shakes my right hand.

As we listened to her speak this morning I marveled at her Christ-like manner in wishing to care and nurture to "the one". She wished to focus on each of us individually. It hit me yet again that this woman is a woman from God - a defender of the family - and I remembered yet again the kind of woman I wish to become.

My favorite talk from Sister Beck can be found here: Teaching the Doctrine of the Family

My Favorite Weekend

My top 3 weekends include:
1. the first weekend in April
2. the first weekend in October
3. if Christmas is on a weekend

Why? Four words:

Living Prophets and Apostles.

Every 6 months The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has what we call General Conference.
General Conference is when all members of the church world-wide (it is broadcast in 92 different languages) come together to listen to the prophet and the apostles teach us the word of God.

MY FAVORITE WEEKEND IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW!!!!

You can watch conference live from your computer HERE

Sessions broadcast:
Saturday at 10am (MST) and 12pm (MST) with Priesthood Session at 6pm (MST)
Sunday at 10am (MST) and 12pm (MST)

Make a video of your conference experience HERE

Have conference activities for your children (or yourselves) HERE



We are blessed to have the knowledge and comfort that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever - that He guides us, His children, through a living prophet. We have the amazing opportunity this weekend to hear from our dear prophet, Thomas S Monson, as well as the other apostles. (More information about the organization of the church can be found HERE)

I think of the thousands of people that gave up great sacrifices, even their whole lives, to be able to hear a prophet of the Lord speak. I dare say that I would do the same to hear these great men of God instruct us on how we can become more Christ-like, what Heavenly Father wishes to tells us, and what we need to do to prepare for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I stand in awe at the great love and goodness of our God, and the great opportunity that we have to hear His words this weekend. I invite all - just as Philip invited Nathanael to "come and see" (John 1:46) for yourselves.

An invitation and a promise:
Over here in good old Vacaville we have been invited to watch conference with a question in mind -a question that our soul hungers for the answer to. As we prayerfully watch conference - with a pen in hand - I can promise that that question will be answered, either through the very words that are spoken, a hymn that is sung, a prayer that is said, but most importantly from a feeling that is felt and a thought that is had. With pen in hand, demonstrating your willingness to be instructed by the Holy Ghost, you will receive the direction and revelation that you seek. I make that promise. I apply that promise to myself this weekend.
Let us not be casual listeners to the servants of the Lord - but instead let us be determined to act in accordance with the very things we are instructed in personally, through the thoughts and feelings given to us in this blessed time.

Get out your pen and paper, kids. It's time for family counsel. What is it that your Heavenly Father wishes to tell you, His child, today?