The Bronx

March 25, 2009
We walk quite a bit but the projects do have elevators, they are probably some of the nastiest things that I have seen and they all smell like urine, because that is what some people use them for, but they do have elevators which is good because going up anywhere from 2-17 flights of stairs any where from 5-10 times a day would be no good. The bishop here is very cool he is only probably like 28 I would guess and is going to med school. I dont know if i told you about the group of like 10 med school students in my ward, they are the only other white people haha. but things are good here I am doing good and am having fun, but I still miss home a lot. As for knowing my way around I am slowly figuring it out.....slowly haha things are so different when all you see is buildings on either side haha but I will figure it out soon enough.

March 18, 2009

It was pretty cool to hear about your prayer miracle. I have seen answers to my prayers out here. I hope they keep coming because we sure need them out here. It sounds like everybody is working hard at home and keeping pretty busy, I am doing the same, I can assure you guys of that.
It is so cool with technology that you can see where I live. I assume you can see the train tracks right nearby. I am glad to have it nearby, but I am not glad when it shakes my apartment as it goes by all day ha! But I am beginning to not even notice it any more. Here in the Bronx we use some train, a lot of bus, and a lot of walking to get around. It has not been too bad yet, I guess we will see what I have to say in a month or two.
I hear that the only way to help when you are bored is just to get busy and that is what makes the time fly, or at least thats what everyone out here says. A big part of our message as missionaries is that we are here to enjoy life, not just to endure.
Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers, the home evening letters were awesome and all my roommates were jealous, it is soo good to always get letters, it definately helps with the work. Also thank you for the package. My appreciation for food has grown greatly since I have been out here. I miss you and think about you all every day.
I love you all so much. Elder Andersen

March 12, 2009

well this is my new e-mail address at least for my stay here in the mtc because that is all they allow us to use here. Also we are on a 30 min timer so if i type things wrong and you cant understand it is probably because i am not double checking anything. randy has told me that i can print the emails that you write so if the family wants to just e-mail me i can print them out and read them if they do not want to actually have to write. Also i will only be checking this on my p-days which is thursday if you have not already gotten my letter that said that. I can never remember what i have already told you and also when i sent that specific letter. It still amazes me how time pretty much has no meaning here i think its a combination of not being outside and of never getting instant news and knowing what is going on in the outside world. I am begining to see what everybody means when they talk about how days seem like weeks and weeks seem like days. I definatley thought the first couple of days were more like years ha, but oh well things are picking up now at least. The food here is starting to not be as awsome as i first thought, it now seems like average and just a ton of it, but im not complaining at least i am getting fed i suppose. well i have got to get on i think tell everybody that i miss them and usually think about you all some point throughout the day. take care and talk to you all soon.

March 4, 2009

Hi! well i am am emailing for my first time in new york. i just recieved my companion and my area. I am in the Bronx at and area called Olmstead. i had the chance to soap box there yesterday and it was a pretty god time. i am a little over whelmed by everything here in the city it is so crazy compared to the small town life. and the drivers here are nuts it is pretty much like being in mexico if not crazier. all the elders have said that is is the best mission in the world and i can see how that is true but i think it is going to take a while to adjust to things here because honestly right now i have no clue what is going on. my trainer is elder palmer he is from a tiny town in northern idaho and seems like a really nice guy i think that we will get a long well together. I asked him how he adjusted from small town to ny city and he said that his first area was more upstate and that he didnt know if he could have handled being thrown right in the city i laughed and said thanks. he reasurred me that my area is the best area no matter what people say. i am not going to like i am a little nervous about everything right now but i think that everything will be ok. Well my p-day is on wednesday and that will be the only time i can e-mail and it will be on the address. i hope i hear from you all soon though i definatley miss you all and this is for sure a new experience, let me know how things are going at home. i love all of you.Elder matt andersen

Elder Matt Andersen with his Mission President Richard M. Searle and his wife.