Elder Gentry Anderson: Staying in Fort Payne

Hi Y’all

So this week has probably been the fastest week on my mission so far it seems like at least! We have been helping out with an all-star baseball team a lot. I didn't realize until the members told us what a big impact we were making. I then looked back and noticed the change in the attitude the players parents have towards us compared to the first couple times we helped. It’s amazing! We are hoping that maybe some baptisms will come from it. But if not, we have given the Church a good name to the 60+ parents and kids that come and that is pretty sweet! They had me coaching 3rd base and also had me pitch some heat to the kids. They were lovin every second of it.

I think I told you that I am under 200 lbs. now and I'm still workin out pretty hard. I decided I might as well keep it off out here and I won't have to work it off when I get home. Elder James had exercise contraption called contour and it’s an exercise for your abs and back, so I will have a 6 pack when I get home. J I bought one of Elder James suits from him, he sold it to me for 15 bucks! We have got along great. I am going to miss him. He leaves Thursday morning at 5 a.m. He is pretty excited and I can understand why.! He has a few scholarships to play college football as a kicker!

The assistants called this morning and said I'm staying in Fort Payne and will be getting a newer companion. Not training, but follow up. Then I will also be getting 2 Spanish visa waiters who are called to serve in Argentina, but waiting for their visa's to come through. He said it will be like you are going to be in a glass box because they are all new so they will be watching every step and move you make, but we know you can do it. It’s going to be a lot different and hard to have 3 new missionaries in a new area! haha oh gosh! We had bunk beds put in the house since there will be 4 of us now.

We are working with a couple prospects. One used to be a member and now wants to be re-baptized. The other is from a part member family.

I got a package from the James today. They are great, and also, tell everyone thank you, thank you for their letters from camping. They make me cry every time, but in a good way. I can hear their voices and see their faces when I read them. I love our family so much and I am so thankful for their support.

Last night was a pretty big storm. Our weather radio went off around 12:30 a.m. so we got up and sat on our porch and watched the lightning. That is one thing I love about it here. It’s so sweet when there is lightening because they are huge bolts and it lights up the sky. We sat up for an hour or so. The all-star team was going to have a practice game today but it’s still storming so not sure that will happen.

We had dinner at the Wildings (Justin and Amy’s friends) and it went good. He acts just like Justin and it’s pretty funny how alike they are. Then we will have a dinner tomorrow night and Elder James is gone! Pretty crazy.

Things are going great still. Sounds like y’all are doing good as well. Anything I can do for ya?

Love you so much! Have an amazing week!