What a pleasant surprise!

Why hello there! I sure hope that you all are doing just great out there! Well this week has sure been loverly, just like every week. Still not really any new updates. I got my travel plans this week and I will be flying out on Tuesday the 22nd. It is going to be quite strange though because we fly from Colorado Springs into SLC and have a layover there and then to San Diego. It will be really strange coming back to Utah and being able to see everything around there. But I am really excited and looking forward to being able to get to Mexico. I know that there are reasons that I have been here in Colorado for these last almost three months, but I am excited to see what else the Lord has in store for me and the people that I will come in contact with.

We are still out just trying to find people who are open and ready to receive the gospel. We haven't had really a whole lot of luck so far, but we know that it will come! It was quite the nice surprise yesterday when we were sitting in the second hour of church in Gospel Doctrine when I look over and all the sudden Naridy, one of our investigators is there! She just showed up about an hour late and saw a bunch of people in that room so she went in. So we were able to go get her and show her around the church and teach her a bit more about the restored gospel. I think it was really good because she was able to also meet a few new people. She is even coming to dinner with us tonight at a members house. So we are really excited now and just really hoping and praying that she will begin to understand more fully the gospel and realize how it truly will bless her in her life.

This week I have had a lot of fun reading the talks from the last two General Conferences. I have learned some really important things that I am looking forward to integrating and applying in the ways I teach and the ways that I just simply live my life. One of the talks that has really stood out to me this week was the talk by President Monson in I believe October of 2011 entitled "Dare to Stand Alone". In it, President Monson talked of multiple stories where he had to trust in what he has learned and be bold in defending and sharing it. That is something that we all really need to do, we need to remember who we are and really why we are all here. We need to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means standing alone. President Monson shared this rhyme when he gave his talk,

                                                       Dare to be a Mormon;
                                                       Dare to stand alone.
                                                       Dare to have a purpose firm;
                                                       Dare to make it know.

We all have a purpose in this life. We all know where we are supposed to be and what we are supposed to be doing, but the question is, are we willing to stand up and defend that purpose? Are we willing to stand up even when we are alone? I challenge everyone who reads this to stand up for what we believe in. Remember who you are and what your purpose truly is. I truly encourage all of you to Dare to stand alone.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Love you all!
Elder Tommy Anderson