The Time Has Come…..Top 10

Why hello there one and all! How are you all doing this fine week? Honestly this has been another great week. I feel like God is blessing me so much here in my last little while in Tijuana. Well this week was full of great adventures and lots of lessons learned. A few of disappointments and a few miracles, but as always, the will of God played out. I feel so blessed to be here in this area to finish off my mission. I really am learning so much and I feel like I have actually been able to make a difference here in the ward and stake. Seeing the numbers from when I got to this area and now that I will be leaving have been incredible changes. Like I say, God is blessing us so much right now with the desires of our heart.

One of the great things of this week was yesterday in our first Christmas concert. Honestly I don’t know how, but it turned out great. I was so nervous because I felt as if we were super behind and hadn’t been able to practice enough together, but once again, God sees the desires of our hearts and helped us out so much. The concert turned out really good. It was here in Tijuana in the Otay Stake. I was able to see quite a few people that I knew and that was really cool. In the concert, I am singing a solo of Oh Little Town of Bethlehem It is a pretty arrangement and I feel like it turned out really good. But my favorite song of the whole concert is the last one and we do it as a group. It is the ever so classic family Christmas song, Starbright. I love that song so much. The words are very moving and I am excited to share the recording with you guys when I get home. This week we will be doing one more concert here in my stake this Sunday. I am super excited for it and I think it is going to turn out great once again!

Well seeing as this will most likely be my last letter home and really my last opportunity to share through a letter the things that I have learned I would like to share with you all some of the most important things that I have learned in these past 2 years serving here in Tijuana.

1.       “The worth of souls is great in the sight of God” –Doctrine and Covenants 18. God truly does care about each and every one of us. Every person who has ever lived here upon this earth is literally a son or daughter of God. He cares for us as an earthly father does for his children. Even though we are billions who have lived here upon the earth, he knows each of us. He is worried for us when we are worried, cries with us when we are sad, and rejoices when we obey his commandments and are happy.

2.       You can’t be saved with just the Church or juts the Gospel, you need them both. There are many people that believe they will be saved by their being a good person and trying to follow God, but deny the importance of going to the one true Church. Others attend the true Church every Sunday without missing, but lack applying the things that they learn into their lives. Neither of these two groups will be saved in the Celestial Kingdom. Only those who are active in the Gospel and participate in the special ordinances that can only be performed in the Church by holders of Gods power called the Priesthood will be able to receive this gift.

3.       “When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God.” One of the most important Christ-like attributes is that of service. One thing that many members of the Church don’t realize or remember is that when we were baptized, we each made a covenant to give service (Mosiah 18:8-10). We should always be looking for the hand that needs a lift, and constantly be searching for that person that needs us. Every person has a moment in their life when they need that help; it is our responsibility as Children of God to be there to help those people out in the time that they need it.

4.       There is no such thing as a good excuse for not completing with the commandments of God. Day after day over the last two years of my life I have passed the time visiting and teaching members and non-members alike the importance of the Commandments of God. As it teaches us in John 14, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” God gives us commandments so that we may become blessed. He gives us these rules so that we can stay on the right path, but sadly there are many people that put other priorities above that of following God. The only thing that I can promise is that that Nephi gave, “for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” There are no excuses for not completing; the excuses just show the true desires of our hearts.

5.       “Repentance is the key to happiness”. As I was interviewing a man not too long ago for his baptism, I asked him, “What does repentance mean for you?” and he responded, “It is the key to happiness”. That has stuck with me ever since. In my life I have found that to be true. In this life we commit errors that at times bring feelings of guilt and remorse. It is normal to commit these mistakes, it is “human”, but that is not an excuse to stick with those errors. Day after day, our loving Father in Heaven gives us the opportunity to repent, to leave behind the bad and make ourselves better. As we make it a habit day after day to repent of all of our mistakes we will find that little by little we become better people, we become more like our Savior Jesus Christ, and we in turn become happier.

6.       The Gospel is for EVERYONE. Jesus Christ our Savior came here to this earth to pay for the sins of the children of God. The only way that we can be made free of our sins is through following the Gospel of Jesus Christ. First, we must have faith in our Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. Second, we must repent daily. Third, we must follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone with the authority of God. Fourth, we must receive the precious gift from our Heavenly Father of the Holy Ghost. Fifth, we must endure to the end. It we do not do these things we will not be able to enter into the Kingdom of God. In the last year as we have made a bigger emphasis of working with the members of the Church to help bring their friends and family to the Gospel, many have told us that they don’t know anybody else that needs the Gospel. They say, “Well that person is Catholic” or “That person isn’t very religious” or “Well my neighbors smoke and I don’t think they want to stop.” My response to them always is, “So you don’t want them to receive salvation?” The Gospel really is for EVRYONE. If we don’t live it, we won’t receive the blessings.

7.       “If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” As I have been here on my mission I have learned the importance of receiving knowledge through God, and not other sources. Every lesson that I teach, I invite people to ask God if the things we teach are true. It is the only way that one will be able to receive a confirmation of the truth. Many times as humans we depend too much on the wisdom of our fellow beings; what it says on the internet, newspaper, or Facebook, but one thing that many lack to do, is ask God. I am completely convinced that if we ask God, he will enlighten our minds and we will know the truth.

8.       If you don’t set goals, you will never reach them. In this life, if we don’t set goals we will never reach anything. As Elder Bednar says, “I am strongly convinced that if we do not set goals in our lives, we will get to a ripe old age and realize that we have not become anything of what we could have been.” Right now is the time to decide where we want to go with our lives. We must set the goals and make the plans to be able to complete them so that we do not end our lives with remorse for things that we didn’t do.

9.       The Gospel blesses families. One of the most incredible things that I have seen out here is the difference that the Gospel makes in the family when it is applied. I have seen hundreds of families in distress, but I have also seen hundreds of families blessed by the power of the Gospel. When we live the gospel as a family, we receive the blessings of God. It creats stronger bonds between Husband and wife, father and son. As a family reads the Book of Mormon and prays together and participates weekly in the Family Home Evening, God keeps our families strong.

10.   I have a testimony. Honestly, what I believe to be the most important thing that I have come to realize and understand here in the mission is that fact that I really do have a testimony. I know that these things are true. I know that God is our Father and that He sent His son Jesus Christ to pay for each of our sins. I know that it is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can be able to return to be with our Father in Heaven again. I know that God always has and continues to guide His children through chosen men named prophets. I know that God called Joseph Smith to be a prophet. I know that he restored the Church of Jesus Christ and was given the Priesthood; the power that God gives to man to work in His name. I know that the families can be forever. If we make sacred covenants through baptism and in the temple, we will be able to have eternal life as a family. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet in our days. I know that he receives direction from God. I know that this is the only true Church upon the earth. I know that God desires our best and that He will help us complete it. I know these things are true.

It has been my pleasure for these last two years to be able to write you all and share my thoughts with you. I hope that we may all be able to take something from the things that I have shared. As always, I wish you the best. Remember who you are, and act accordingly. I will see you all in a week!

Elder Tommy Anderson

The bill from dinner last week with zone leaders.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Why hello there! Happy Happy Thanksgiving the other day! What a great holiday it is, what a shame that they dont celebrate it here in Mexico. Well honestly, this was just another incredible week! The work is just exploding here in our ward and in the whole stake. Currently in our ward we have 14 people that are working towards the goal of a baptism with a specific date and in the whole stake right now we have 79 people that are preparing. It honestly is incredible. The work truely is being hastened and "no unhallowed hand can stop this work from progressing." I am so happy to be here at this time and in this place serving God. It is incredible.

Well as I mentioned last week, a bunch of members came from Utah for the week to build and repair houses and give service down here in this stake. It was honestly an incredible thing they did! Seriously, there were about 110 of those that came down and they just worked super hard all week long and got some incredible stuff done here. I believe they build a few houses, repaired like 7 roofs, build people new kitchens and bathrooms. And seriously, it was incredible. And what was even more incredible is that almost none of them spoke spanish, but yet in every moment they were trying to share the gospel. We recieved many referal from them who were able to join us yesterday at Church and many that have baptismal dates. It is incredible all that they did. They also brought down trailer loads full of stuff for the people here. They brought for the missionaries boxes of gifts, 25 suits, over 50 pairs of pants, over 100 white shirts, 20 pairs of shoes, suitcases and ties. It was incredible all that they were able to do. It made me want to be more service minded and I have tried to apply that this week. One fun thing also is that they invited us over for dinner every day and so we went a few times and had some delicious food from the US! It was soooo good! 

Some of the supplies they brought for the missionaries.

Thanksgiving Dinner with the Utahns

I don't know if I mentioned last week, but we had some transfers in my companionship. They sent Elder Menchaca to a different ward here in the same stake, and we received another elder named Elder Fuentes from Mexico City. He is really great and we are having a blast here working supér hard! 

One thing that I have really liked to do here in the mission and well something that we have done many times this week is teach the 10 commandments. Many people done know them and if they have heard them, dont understand or apply them. So as you know here in Mexico there are some deep religious beliefs that have long roots here in Mexico. One thing that we have been able to do to help people realize the importance of changing is threw the 10 commandments. If it has been a while since you have read them or you dont know what they are, well than I invite you to read them. http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/13?lang=eng or http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ex/20?lang=eng. So great. 

Morning Study Over Looking the City

This week we had multiple times when were able to visit people and share specific messages with them and then when we finished they were would tell us, "How is it that you guys always show up at the time right when we need you?" It was kinda a cool testimony builder that God really does guide us as missionaries in helping each of his children. God really does know each and every one of us. He understands our pains and weaknesses. He is sad when we are sad and rejoices when we are happy. I know that he really does have a plan for us and that is why he gave us His Gospel. 

Yesterday at Church, everything went really well. We had 110 people in attendance and had 6 non members accompany us. Things are going really well. Everybody is really starting to put in practice what is our Ward mission plan and are having great success. Yesterday we had the opportunity to share a message in both Priesthood and Relief Society meetings about rescuing those who have gone away from the path. We talked a lot yesterday to them about the need of going out and helping those who are innactive in their attendance and their conduct in the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We shared a few personal experiences and a video about the need of rescuing those who are in need and not just forgetting about them. I believe that I have already passed off this video to you guys to watch, but I am gonna pass it again because it is just very powerful.  I know that nobody is too far away that they cant be rescued by the power of Christ, we just need to help them out. 

This week we will be starting the Christmas devotional concerts. We are going to do 3 in total I believe 2 here in Tijuana and 1 in Ensenada. Our practices are going a long pretty well, I hope that it turns out well.

Well anyways, I honestly am just so happy to be here. I know that what I am doing is what God desires of us. I know that this is His work. It is Him that guides us and gives us the authority and power to do these things. Well I gotta go but I wish you all the best of times. Have a great week! Just remember who you are and act accordingly!!

Elder Tommy Anderson

Our friends from Utah left us some Grandma Sycamore bread, Jelly and Jimmy Dean Sausage!!!

Things are going great...

Quite the epic pic there that my companion took of me. Haha. I was just about to pull out my Book of Mormon and point to the globe, but I couldn't find a globe up there.

Why hello there one and all! How are ya doing? I am just super happy right now and am having a super de duper day. This morning we got up bright and early and went for a hike behind our house and were able to see a great view of all Tijuana and San Diego. It was quite nice actually. But really the whole week has just been incredible. One of those weeks that I don't think I will be able to forget soon. We finished this last week with 17 people with baptismal dates that are all preparing and all doing just great and honestly, I am just feeling great with the work that we are doing. Things are going great here in Villas del Bosque!

Birthday Party at TGI Friday's with my Zone.

This week we were able to keep teaching with C. and many other investigators. Everybody is doing really well and all progressing. We were able to have a couple of really cool lessons this week. Last week we were able to find just a great golden family, the G.. They are super prepared for the Gospel and are all progressing very well. We were able to take the Stake President (who is acting as our Bishop) with us to one of our lessons with them. We talked about the Plan of Salvation and it was very powerful the Spirit that was felt there. I am super thankful for great leaders of the Church that understand their callings and really magnify them. This family has been passing through some pretty tough stuff, but everything is turning out well. I am super happy for them and know that they are going to be very strong in the Gospel. The father of the family told us yesterday that he wants to go out with us this week to visit people with us and share his testimony.

Morning Hike

It was quite the day yesterday at Church. On wednesday a group of 110 people from Utah showed up to help out here in the Stake to build houses, repair roofs, and just do some service. So in Sacrament meeting we had over 220 people which is a lot more than normal. It was quite nerve wracking though because the Stake President asked me to help and translate for him and all of the speakers. I have never done anything like that before, but it was quite the experience. I don't think I have ever paid so much attention to the talks in Sacrament Meeting before. But they were great. Although the speakers at times had very strong lungs and spoke for quite a time with out a break to translate, I feel like I was able to get the message along to all of those that were there. The Americans came up and sang I Am A Child of God. It was just special. But honestly, it was. It has been quite some time since I have heard a choir sing that beautifully. Afterward, everybody was talking to me and I was basically just running around all day trying to translate for them and help them out. They are gonna be here all week and I asked if the youth would like to do splits with us, and we have people that are gonna come with us all week long. We took 6 youth out yesterday and we are gonna try and take a few more out today.

Looking down from hike at church parking lot where the folks from Utah have their base camp.

One cool thing this week was a lesson that we had with Dylan and Fabiola and all the kids. Dylan is the boy that we baptized not too long ago. Well for my birthday, Melissa sent me a few CTR rings for the kids (thanks by the way) Well we gave each of the kids a ring and told them that with the ring, they now had to be mini missionaries. The loved the idea and decided that they were gonna share pamphlets with all of the neighbors and the people in the stores. They also were going around inviting everyone to Church. It was a pretty good idea that helped them started building their testimonies in missionary work.

This week we also had our monthly meeting with the Mission and Stake Presidents. The meeting went great and honestly, things are going really well here in the stake. We have been able to get things going really well again and the stake is now back on top. They were both very thankful for the work that we have been doing. It has been great to be able to be around great leaders such as them here in my mission. I feel like personally I have learned a lot about being a leader and how to help people. Honestly, the mission has taught me so many things, but I feel like one of the biggest things that it has done for me is strengthen my character and help me be a more confident person. I feel great here. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who loves me and each of you so much that he gives us these wonderful opportunities.

Well I hope that you all just have a wonderful week. I love you all so much. Rememeber who you are and act accordingly!!

Elder Tommy Anderson

Why Hello There...

Why hello there one and all! Thanks for all of the Happy Birthday wishes. It has been a great day! But I have to wish a happy birthday to my big brudder! Happy Birthday Reed! It is quite strange to have reached as I call the big two-one. Today has been a great day thus far. I woke up at 5:30 to be able to do exercise, study and write in my journal and clean the house, and listened to the new Christmas cd's that were sent my way (thanks!). So far we have cleaned, went shopping, we played some basketball and soccer with the young men from the ward, and now we are gonna go to TGI Fridays and see if there is anything good at the mall over there. Today is like Mexico’s black friday so we will see if there is anything. But yeah, it has been a great day. We also have some great appointments for later on tonight with some of the people we have been teaching.

Well this week has honestly been just incredible. I honestly feel like it is one of the best I have had my whole mission! Yesterday we had 8 investigators at Church and we currently have those 8 that are working with their goal of a baptism soon. Things really are going just incredibly here. We have had some incredible miracles this week. I think my favorite so far was of a lady named C. We left early in the morning to be able to go and check on a few missionaries to make sure they were up on time and doing everything that they should be. And well, we went out to the road in front of the house which is also right in front of the Church to wait for the bus to stop by. Well like 3 or 4 busses went by, but for some reason, I just never stopped them and I was just confused by the route that it said painted on the window. So we stayed there a little while waiting. Pretty soon a car drives by and then we see that it stops like 20 yards later and starts coming back in reverse. I open the door of the car and the lady asks, are you the missionaries of this Church? Pointing to the chapel. And so we responded that we were. She then said, I want you to come by my house and teach me. She said that her boyfriend was a member of the church and is actually an ex missionary and that she had gone to a different ward recently with him. Well we scheduled the appointment for that same night and we shared a message and she accepted a baptismal date there. She is just golden and came to church yesterday. Honestly. The miracles are just falling from Heaven and we are having great success here in this work. People just have a hunger and thirst of hearing the Gospel. It is incredible. 

Things with the concert are going great. We had our first practice this week and I think it is actually gonna turn out really good. I am quite excited actually. We are gonna practice tomorrow and get everything solidified about what we are gonna do and who will do it. But I am excited that we will be able to share the Christmas Spirit and share our testimonies of Jesus Christ with everybody through music. I don’t know why, but music kinda gets into the soul a little easier that the spoken word some times. 

This week we have been working a lot with those who are members of the church but currently aren’t assisting. It was actually incredible. Each of them has a story special and unique that for some reason or other has led them away from full activity in the church. I felt very inspired by the Spirit in each of those visits to share and testify that God loves them, and that he needs them. Many of those we visited this week accompanied us at church yesterday. I worked  lot with the young men this week. I asked a few of the youth to accompany me and do divisions and it was great to see these incredible testimonies that these youth have and the desire that they have to serve and share the gospel. 

One thing that was just so great this week was we had a few trainings. In each of them we talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon in true conversion. Really I was able to come to the understanding that the Book of Mormon is the proof of everything. Many people in the world want to know the truth. All that we teach here, want to know if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Christ. I have been able to testify this week that the proof is in the Book of Mormon. As the introductions invites us, we only need to read, ponder, and pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ if the things that we read are true. I know that the promise is real that any person who has the desire to know if these things are true can know it through the Spirit of God. I invite everyone, member of the Church or not to read the Book of Mormon, ponder about what it says, and pray and ask God. I know He will answer you and he will make you know of the truth of these things. 

Honestly, I am so happy to be here in the mission. It is incredible. I love it. I hope you all have an incredible week. I love you all! Remember who you are and act accordingly!!!

Elder Tommy Anderson

Click this link if you would like a free copy of the Book of Mormon.

The Last Transfer Begins….

Why hello there! How is everyone doing this fine week? This week has been quite great or in other words, galactic. To start it off, today is transfer day... And Elder Llanes headed out to Mexicali. I am still here with Elder Menchaca and our new companion Elder Meza. I have spent a bit of time with this elder Meza, I have actually already done a few divisions with him. He is a great missionary that is a great worker and very obedient. So honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better last companion. It is crazy to realize that this is my last transfer. Oh well, I am trying to not think very much about that. 

But really, things here are going really well. This week we had the baptism of Dylan. It went really great and he was just so excited to get baptized. He was counting down the days and then the hours. He is honestly just so smart. Everything we tell him he remembers it so well! We found him in my first week here when we past by the house to visit a member, but when we got there they told us that the person had moved and this was some cousin or some sort of relative that was now living there. Well, we got talking and we found out that both of the parents are members of the church just that they were inactive. So we started from there visiting them quite a bit and Dylan was baptized and confirmed this last week. I am so happy to be able to see the changes in the lives of people that the gospel does. The Gospel when applied really changes the lives of people. 

That was the theme of one of the really cool lessons that we had this week. We were teaching a recent convert who told us that he was sad that he hadn't seen just as many changes in his life that he would have liked to. We started talking about the gospel and the way that God helps us, the way that he changes us. And so we started to talk about what is conversion. Like I mentioned last week, to be converted we need to consciously change our thoughts, beliefs, desires, and actions so that they can be more in harmony with the desires and will of God. He was able to grasp that and he committed himself to study the Scriptures every day, and to pray daily with more intent. Really I know that when we change ourselves, then God can change us, but we have to take the first step.

This week the Bishop asked me to speak in Church and I also spoke about that same thing. The conversion and turning our lives to be more like Christ. While I was studying this week I found a really great quote from President Monson. It says, ¨Don't let your passions destroy your dreams.¨ A lot of times, we have dreams of being with God, having an eternal family, or many other things such as that. But is our life really on a path that can take us there? Are  our passions allowing us to return back to live with God and to realize our dreams? 

The whole transfer here we have struggled a little bit in finding new investigators, but this week went really well. We were able to find lots of new people that can all honestly progress. The only bad thing was that out of the 20 people we had committed to come to Church, none of the came. We are going to be focusing a lot this week again on the Sabbath day and the commandment that it is to attend Church. I am excited to see what this week will bring on that side of the work. I know that God can help people feel the need of attending Church, I just hope that the investigators will use wisely their agency this week and get to Church!

This week we also had interview with Presidente Carreon as a zone. They went really well and I really liked mine. When we started mine, we walked into the room sat down and he said, Well Elder Anderson, we are really good friends and I like you... I finished the transfers yesterday and so I am gonna tell you what is happening with you and your zone. It was pretty funny to see him like that. I have had such the blessing to be able to be around him so much. I have learned so much from Presidente Carreon and he is going to have a lasting impact on my life. 

Well I hope that this week you all do well! I wish and hope the best for each and every one of ya!

Take care!

Elder Tommy Anderson 

Entering into my favorite time of year!

Why hello there! 

How are you all doing this week? This week by super fast and it honestly was just a great week. Happy Halloween to you all and day of the dead. It was a pretty exciting week here with those two holidays. But, can you believe that it is already November? Time is going by so fast, we are now entering into my favorite time of year. It is now officially legal to listen to Christmas music and I am taking full advantage of it. I love it!

I love Christmastime so much.  Everything is turning Christmasy here!  I have seen Christmas trees! Christmas lights!  Even Big Coco-Cola Signs with Santa!  I love this Season!

This week we had some pretty exciting events. We had a visit from one of the Seventies named Elder Alan Walker. He is from Argentina and is pretty cool.  We had a zone conference with him and Presidente Carreón and also a meeting for all of the zone leaders. Both of meetings were great and I learned a lot. I am so thankful for the blessing of having modern day Apostles who can teach us the directions that God wants us to apply. I feel like God is very very interested in what is the work of salvation right now. I feel like everything that the Prophet and the Apostles talk about is about this work. We all need to step it up and help our Heavenly Father in His work. 

Hermana Carreón was speaking about "Hastening the Work of Salvation". In order to "Hasten" the work, we can't just be sitting around waiting for missionary miracles, but we need to take an active part in making these miracles happen. At the conference, Presidente Carreón asked me to sing "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and it turned out really well. Actually today, I came to the office and we started getting everything figured out for the Christmas Concert Fireside that we are gonna do here in Tijuana.

This is the outline of the program. Presidente wants to do 2 firesides in Tijuana & 1 in  Mexicali & Ensenada

This week we spent a few hours helping some members of our ward move to a new house in a different ward. It was a lot of fun. One thing that I loved though was that they had a non member friend that was helping them out also. We loaded up their trucks and I went with the non member buddy in his car. It was like a 30 minute drive in between houses and well, It was really cool to just talk to the guy in a very casual way about the beliefs of the Church and the basic doctrine that we teach. I imagine that that is how it will be after the mission and I will be able to have chances to share the gospel in casual ways such as that. Honestly, it was really cool and I was able to share my testimony with him. 

We had a very interesting lesson last night with the a family in our ward. The other night they were walking by the Church and noticed that a ward was having a halloween party. He got very upset for the fact as he says that Halloween is the day of the devil. He then got very upset that in the Church they would allow people to celebrate this day and decided that he was going to step away from the Church. As we spoke with him, we helped him realize the fact that the people in the Church were not worshiping the devil and that he really does know that the Church is true even though some people celebrate Halloween. He was honestly just really caught up on that. 

The thought came to my mind of the quote from General Conference last month, "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith". And I was able to share with him this idea and help him realize that he really knows that the Book of Mormon is true and that Thomas Monson is a Prophet. Once we helped him realize that he realized that he had no reason in leaving the Church. It was really cool to be able to testify to this brother about the simple things that help us have a testimony. A lot of times, we get caught up on the so called "deep doctrine" or on little subject matters, when we should be strengthening our testimonies in the basics.

Yesterday at Church was a really cool day. We honestly didn’t have a lot of the investigators that we wanted at Church, but we were able to have some really cool trainings in the Priesthood classes and a great Ward Council. This ward really is starting to very missionary minded. During the trainings we gave in Priesthood, we received over 25 referrals. And honestly, everyone is working very hard to do their part. I love to see it when a whole ward pulls together and works in the same cause. We were focusing a lot on that this week of the whole idea of that we are one. Not missionaries and then the members, but that we all work together. One thing that was really cool this Sunday was that a kid named D.

that we have been teaching is getting baptized this Saturday and well honestly, we hadn't announced it to anyone, but by the time Church was over, everybody knew about it because people asked and shared interest in him. I thought that was great! 

Well have a most wonderful week one and all! I love you all soo soo much! You are all my heroes. Remember who you are and act accordingly. 

Elder Tommy Anderson

The picture of some person stuck on the fence is my companion Elder Llanes. It was pretty funny. We gave our keys to the church to somebody and we tried taking out the trash. But seeing as we didn't have keys, we couldn't get into the parking lot where the dumpster is. So we tried throwing the bags into the dumpster... but we missed. So my companion tried jumping the fence to throw the trash away, but he got stuck... Haha it was pretty funny. 

This week was galactica!

Why hello there! 

How are you doing this week!? 

This was just one crazy week here in Tijuana! As my companions and I have been calling it, it has been galactic! Honestly this week was full of incredible crazy things. And as always, full of miracles.

This week we were blessed to see 3 baptisms and confirmations of Viviana, Mary, and Elena. They were all very great services and well each had quite the stories to it. All I guess all I can really say is that we had a lot of the help from God and influence from the Holy Ghost in helping these people. Honestly I feel so blessed to be here. We are seeing incredible Miracles. 

With Mary and Elena they are aunt and niece. Well anyways, Elena has been going to church for quite some time now and then she brought her niece Mary to Church. At first Mary didn't even believe in God, but recently they have had some family experiences that has helped her realize the existence of God. Honestly, she has become so strong in the Church. Elena also has been able to make huge changes as she has came closer and closer to the Gospel. I am so thankful for the Gospel and the incredible changes that it can do in our lives. There is honestly not anything that the Gospel can’t change in our lives. 

I have been studying in Alma 23 this week about the missionary experiences of the Alma and the sons of Mosiah and it talks a lot there about how multiple lamanite cities were all completely converted to the Gospel. It says that it completely changed their lives. I believe that is how one can be converted, when they truely change there lives and put it in harmony with the will of God. 

As I was studying this week about conversion these are some of the points that I have noted. Conversion includes a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire. Becoming converted means leaving everything behind to become a disciple of Christ. As we continue to align our lives more with the Gospel of Jesus Christ we will be converted and become these Disciples of Christ.

Viviana was also another miracle this week. Her sister Diana we are also teaching and will be baptized in these coming weeks. But Viviana also had many doubts about God and who he was in her life. The Gospel has also helped her change many things in her life and help her change her life. 

Honestly, once again I am so thankful for the changes that the Gospel makes in our lives when we really put it in practice and follow the counsels of God and his Prophets. I am so thankful for scriptures and living prophets who help us on our path to return to God. 

Well I hope you all have a great incredible week. I love you all! 

Love Elder Tommy Anderson