Often the hardest times are the times I have learned and grown the most.

Haha do you remember the Bryan Regan about the walkie talkie? Man he is funny. Well that is relevant because of walk and talk August. We are supposed to contact one million people. So far, we have contacted 36 thousand. And we are over half way done with the month. Going great! 

Well the past two weeks have been pretty exhausting. We have been walking everywhere. We only have 18 clicks on our car this month so we can't go anywhere unless we absolutely have to drive there. Two weeks ago we didn't get to teach anyone. That kinda stunk. But this week we got to teach two of our investigators. We talked with Bruce over the phone and had a lesson with the Williamsons. That was good because it has been well over a month since we have talked with either of them. Things started to pick up so we can't complain. And school will be starting first week of September so things should slow down for everyone else and pick up for us. That is the hope anyway. 

So Elder Faimalo is sweet. He is super funny and easy going. We are getting along great. Our whole zone for that matter is pretty sick. Especially our district. My son (Elder Faimalo) though is really picking things up quick. He is a stud. The members already like him and he is having fun here. Next week Lethbridge is having what they call Whoop up days. I have no clue what that is but I guess it's a lot of parades and parties. We'll see. 

Well today I turned 8 in the mission. I can't believe I have already gone through one third of my mission. It is crazy to see how the time flies. There are a lot of missionaries that have gone home that I have been around. And others that are going home soon. It is crazy to look at it that way. Soon enough I will be having a mid mission crisis. So much has happened and it seems like so little time has gone by. 

I have learned so much over the past 8 months. More than I ever learned back home over the course of 19 years. It is crazy what a mission teaches you. And it's so much more than just gospel related things. It teaches you responsibility. I teaches you patience as well. Oh man it teaches you that one a lot. 

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to be out here talking to people about the most important thing in this life. As hard as this mission has been, it has always been worth it. Often the hardest times are the times I have learned and grown the most. As hard as that is and as much as it stinks, tough times are necessary for us to grow. We come closer to God when we need him. And we always need him so we should always be coming closer to him. 

I know that this is the true church. I know that there is no other way we can receive eternal happiness except through this gospel. Trust that God will be there for you always. He will never give up on you. Don't ever give up on him. 

Stay safe and Just Keep Swimming! Love you all!

Elder Anderson