February's Gone

February 24, 2013

Dear Mom and Dad,

Glad you got the package :) Full of a bunch of random stuff but it's all awesome! That video was really fun to make.  

This week has been a crazy one. For the past few months it seems as though Elder Bringhurst and I have only been teaching women. The 5 people we have with baptismal dates right now are  18, 17, 16, 13, and 9 year old girls, but guess what?? We finally got some BROS!!!!!  2 fijian brothers and their cousin; 19, 21, and 22 year old dudes.  These guys are really cool too. They remember their mom always letting missionaries in when they were little and now that they are older and on their own they figured they would do the same. The first lesson was amazing. They all understand the restoration and the purpose of the book of mormon and are really excited to read it. We'll teach them again tomorrow. Looking forward to it! The baptism of Chelsi was supposed to happen yesterday but didn't go through because of after 2 years of learning and looking forward to the day she turned 18 to get baptised.. she got sick the night before and was unable to even come to church.  There will be more news on this subject later but that's the basic situation right now. We'll have to postpone. ugh. 

Good to hear that Alysha is visiting. Tell her I say hi and happy birthday. I miss her and am jealous that she gets to go out in the snow.  We haven't had super hot weather lately just really humid and rainy and sticky, yuck. 

Do I need any clothes replaced.. Shoes are ok, socks are ok, shirts are ok, just got my suit dry cleaned and it's basically brand new again haha :) but I do need to replace 3 pairs of suit pants that got tears in the fabric not the stitching but it actually tore so I'll sent pictures to get them replaced. I only wear suit pants with my suit now. Elder Honeycutt when I got to bankstown gave me a pair of Dickies pants which we can wear so that's what I typically wear most days. For my birthday I have thought of two things I want so far. I just started using my last sonicare toothbrush head like 2 weeks ago which will last me a while but I could use one more new one after that to finish off the mission with. Also, I really want some graham crackers. They don't have those here at all. They don't even know what the heck they are! How am I supposed to make s'mores???? hahaha That's about it for now though. I'll keep thinking. 

Yeah we found out about the North mission last week. They told us before the church released it to everyone. President Howes made it really urgent that we read his email about it. Not sure why. We don't know exactly all the details of what will happen yet but President Hamula of the Area Presidency is doing a mission tour this week and will be presiding at the zone leader council so I think we will get more info today.  Our meeting starts early so our P-day is getting cut short by about 6 hours........ and last week P-day was cut short by about 4 hours for the temple... I'm really exhausted. I haven't heard anything about fires though.. had no idea haha I also did print out the taxes but haven't had time or energy to really look them over yet. Do I have to fill stuff out or just look for where I need to sign?

So I'll type up the thing for the newsletter right here. I don't have a good picture but you can attach one for them of what I've sent that you liked. I'll just finish up with this :)

Mosiah 21:5,7,8,11-15,19.

This story in the scriptures strengthened my testimony, but it mainly strengthened my conversion. The Lamanites in this story represent my trials, challenges, and mistakes.  They are all around me and seem overwhelming at times.  I used to be smitten and driven back every time I tried to go to battle with them. However, like the people of Limhi, it wasn't until I humbled myself before the Lord and sought help from his hand, that my burdens were eased.  What I had to feel is Godly Sorrow.  Godly Sorrow causes us to fix things in our life because we honestly feel remorse for disobeying Heavenly Father and hurting him. Not because we are afraid of temporal consequences.  I came across this story in a time of my life that I really needed it.  It also helped me learn how to liken the scriptures unto myself. King Limhi wouldn't leave the city walls without his guards to protect him from the Lamanites (verse 19).  I likewise have learned to not go anywhere or do anything without my guards (testimony, scriptures, prayer, Holy Ghost, church etc...) to protect me from falling into the hands of my enemies.  I love you all.  Save Souls!

Love, Elder Thompson