tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81908412055943530082024-03-05T13:23:30.169-08:00To Bring the World His TruthTiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-43286096297199165012013-11-24T20:09:00.002-08:002013-11-24T20:10:28.266-08:00It's November!!!<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">November 12, 2013</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Hey there!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry
about the delay of my messages. Things are crazy as ever! Starting to
calm down though so that's good. Lot's of our missionaries have been on
foot and riding buses and trains and stuff lately because we have enough
cars for about 85 missionaries but we have 200 missionaries. We just
got approval for 25 new cars though, which will get here next week.
We'll have them out in the next transfer! It's better for missionaries
to be walking around though, so they can talk to
everyone. I hope they don't get too attached to their cars. Cars are
good for transporting people to conferences and appointments and stuff,
but when it comes down to it: It's better to have missionaries being
walking billboards.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We just had a zone conference yesterday with 3 zones
& there were 80 people involved. It was HUGE. Doing the training
was pretty fun. My companions and I trained on revelation through the
Book of Mormon. Specifically how investigators can receive revelation
through the Book of Mormon. We all did role plays and it was pretty fun.
Before everyone split off to go practice teaching in different rooms,
we had one companionship come to the front and demonstrate teaching
President and Sister Lew about the Book of Mormon. They took on the role
of a young Buddhist couple. It was really interesting..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had a cool experience this week on an exchange.
We were going to be trading off with some Zone Leaders. When we got to
the place they told us to meet them, we sat down on some chairs outside a
house and there was 5 missionaries and a guy named Casper. Casper was
their potential investigator. We didn't want it to be awkward to begin
the trade off right there, and we didn't know what was going on so we
all just began teaching him. He had been to church a few times already
but this was Caspers first lesson. It was a little weird to teach as a
companionship of 5 but it actually turned out really well and it was one
of the best lessons I've ever been a part of. Not because our teaching
was magnificent but because Casper was so humble and so prepared. We set
a baptismal date with him, 3 minutes into the lesson. He is really
golden. He has had a really rough life. Full of drugs and alcohol and
extreme violence etc.. He is completely
ready to change and he was really comforted by the things he learned.
He will be a terrific convert. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's just a few of the things that have happened lately :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm
hanging in there, it's definitely a strange feeling to know that I'll
be home soon. I'll be really sad to leave. Not sure what I'll do when I
get home. I had a list of 3 things I wanted to do. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. Go to the dentist and get my teeth cleaned.</div>
<div>
2. Spend a day at the spa. (massage, mud bath, sauna, etc..)</div>
<div>
3. Get surgery on my toes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I already got surgery on my toes though so now I just have a list of 2 things that I really want to do. </div>
<div>
Have you gotten an email about when I arrive home or anything? If not, you could probably email the office and ask. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, hope that you forgive me for being bad at writing lately. I'll see you soon anyway :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson </div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-45382308487496484692013-11-24T20:07:00.000-08:002013-11-24T20:07:21.342-08:00Happy Halloween<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">November 2, 2013</span><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Hey!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks
for writing me, even though I've been really slack. We've been pretty
flat out. our mission has over 190 missionaries now. We just got 35 new
ones so we've been really busy. Furnishing all their flats has been the
most time consuming thing. It's a real miracle. We have leased and
furnished like 20 new flats in the last 3 months. Can you imagine that?
I'm not going to tell you how much sleep I've been getting until I get
home. I'm afraid you will storm over here and yell at me hahaha. Anyway,
as normal I don't have a lot of time to write tonight but here we go.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am so happy for Tia and Daniel! There are so many
babies now I can't believe it! Things sound really exciting at home. I
can't believe I'll be coming home in dead winter though. The weather
here now is AMAZING! My mind just thinks that when I get home I'll just
celebrate by going swimming and stuff. Good thing I have some time
before swimming season though because I have to lose a lot of weight!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, hope you all had a happy halloween. I'm
excited and scared and nervous to come home. I'm hanging in here though.
Not slacking off at all, so I will work hard until the end. </div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
Love you heaps!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-13790083004376504452013-11-24T20:06:00.002-08:002013-11-24T20:06:29.543-08:00September is Gone<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">October 2, 2013</span> </span></div>
<br /><div id="ecxyiv635640708">
<div dir="ltr">
Hey!<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry
about last week. We were just on lots of trade offs
and had a few zone conferences and stuff, we were hardly in the office.
It's been super fun though! All the new missionaries that have come in
have been incredible! Things have been pretty stressful but I'm learning
to cope with it now. I continue to grow and develop every day. I am
becoming a much better leader and learning to be more charitable,
patient, loving, and many other
things. Because of the position I am in, we don't teach many of our own
investigators, we mainly train missionaries so basically the
missionaries are our investigators and we need to love them. I do love
them all, I have so much fun with all of them and will really miss them
bad when I have to leave. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Wednesday we took President and Sister Lew to
Killaburger, the place with the 30 cm burger! They each ate 1/8 of the
burger while Elder Haeata, Elder Puriri and I ate the rest of it hahah
It was really fun. President Lew loves unhealthy food and he never gets
fat because he is a skinny chinese guy and Sister Lew is always hounding
on being healthy. It's really funny to see! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tonight we just got back from a missionary flat
where we had to do some correcting. Their flat had an inspection and
failed miserably. Food all over the place, chocolate all over the floor,
rubbish everywhere, clothes strewn all over, cockroaches etc... There
are 8 missionaries there right now and 6 of them have been out less than
3 months. They don't know how to take care of themselves. They are
great missionaries, they just needed a kick in the butt in terms of
being clean. We were loving toward them and helped them clean a lot of
it up tonight but they were definitely reproved. There was a lot of love
felt between everyone though. It went really well. I think this might
be good preparation for parenting.. just realized that hahahah yikes! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am very happy to hear about all the Book of Mormon
reading going on! I really miss reading the Book of Mormon as a family.
I always use our family as an example of how great family scripture
study can be. We didn't always read it but when we did, it makes a huge
difference. Mom calls everyone up to read and we all are sluggish, don't
want to stop watching our tv show or get off the computer or whatever
else it is. Sometimes it takes like an hour to get everyone together but
once we read and say our prayer in our knee circle.. it never seemed
like everyone quickly rushed back to whatever they were doing. Usually
we would all just stay in the living room and enjoy each others company.
The spirit was there and the family love was magnified. Even though it
was always hard to get everyone gathered up, it was always well worth
it. I always share this experience with people that I teach and they all
agree with it and can relate. I'm glad
for when we could spend those times together. I realize now, that there
is nothing more important that I could do. Even if I was over at a
friends house, spending that time with my family would make me more
happy. And I could always just invite those friend to come read with us
:) haha If I was hanging out with a big group of friends and one girl
said "I need to leave, my family is going to have nightly scripture and
prayer" I would ask her if I could come with. That would be the girl I
could marry! :) hahahahah not that I've been thinking about it.. ok
that's a lie. I'm not working any less hard but I can't lie that I'm
super stoked to find my EC (eternal companion).</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That sounds like a crazy thing that you went to,
Dad. I probably would have been exhausted to do all that. Sounds like a
great activity. Maybe we should make all our missionaries do that! haha
just kidding bad idea, our missionaries are way too injury prone. I
swear it drives me crazy! Oh well what can ya do? Make them drink a cup
of cement and harden up! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, this letter has definitely been longer than
last week. Hope you all have another great week. Don't have too much fun
without me :) haha</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-83723307636652759762013-11-24T20:06:00.000-08:002013-11-24T20:06:12.229-08:00We are all Children of God<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">September 29, 2013</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
HI!!!
I just wanted to check in, let you know I'm still alive! :) haha I read
the email and don't have heaps of time to write back tonight because we
have heaps of stuff to prepare but I PROMISE a HUGE email this week!!!!<div>
</div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-16340406269825311042013-11-24T20:05:00.000-08:002013-11-24T20:12:27.876-08:00September Morn<div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div>
<span>September 2, 2013</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div class="ecxy_msg_container">
<br /><div id="ecxyiv699999883">
<div dir="ltr">
Dear Family,<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another great week!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So
this week we spent a lot of time preparing for the mission tour with
Elder Hamula. It was such a pleasure to have him here in our mission
again. He is amazing! I love the way he teaches us, it's so clear and
edifying to everyone. There were two zones of the mission that did not
get to attend the meeting. Unfortunately it was only about a 3 hour
meeting so it wasn't really worth it to bring in 35
missionaries from 4-6 hours away for a meeting that
was less than half the driving time, let alone finding a place for them
to stay the night before. I felt bad for them though because it was a
great meeting. The day before the whole mission meeting we had Elder
Hamula preside at our mission leadership counsil (MLC). Usually every
set of zone leaders and sister leaders stands and gives an accounting
for their zone that month. This time however, Elder Hamula only wanted
the assistants to give a 20 minute accounting for the whole mission.
That was scary... but it all worked out really well. After the mission
conference Elder Hamula had to head straight to the airport but he had
planned to spend a personal 15 minutes with me and Elder Haeata to
compliment us but this didn't happen because of the hurry but he had
President Lew tell us how impressed he was, so that was a nice "reward"
for all the stress of the week :) </div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also, yesterday we had our second
recent convert fireside as the Australia Sydney South Mission. It went
REALLY well. It was fathers day here in Australia so the attendance
wasn't as much as we hoped for but it was still a really good turnout.
Probably had like 60 or 70 people there. Sister Lew took about 35
minutes and shared her conversion story, it is incredible the
experiences she went through in Hong Kong so that she could be baptized.
There were a few people in the congregation that couldn't stop crying.
One cool thing is that we had our own investigator there as well. I
think that's the first time the assistants have ever had their own
investigator at the recent convert fireside. It was Gabby, the one I've
been emailing about lately. I think it was a really good experience for
her. Something funny, the night before, we realized we had no
refreshments for after the fireside so we went to the store
and got like
$45 worth of cookies and stuff. It's good to have the refreshments
because after the meeting the members and investigators can mingle and
stuff which is really helpful. Well, we drove all the way to the chapel
where we were having the fireside which is about 40 minute drive and
realized we forgot ALL the refreshments.. luckily some other
missionaries were able to pick them up and bring them later hahah we
were about to be devastated!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, this week should be nice and busy. We have
to do our transfer planning. Last transfer, 2 people went home and we
gained 30. This transfer 2 people are going home and we are gaining 37,
then next transfer we lose 4 and gain 54. We have to buy and furnish 4
houses this week and then another probably 15 houses in the next 6
weeks. I don't know how we will do it but we need the Lord help
DESPERATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! unless he wants his servants to be
homeless... well, he was homeless when he was here so I guess that could
answer the question haha. Nah I think he wants his servants to have a
place to sleep and bathe. We might just have to do it Africa style, get
the bucket! Love you all and hope you have a great week too! The church
is true!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
PS Have you been to the temple lately? I have :) Ya just gotta go! </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-18176384824389931622013-11-24T20:02:00.001-08:002013-11-24T20:02:25.449-08:00Keep up the work!<div>
<span>September 10, 2013</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
Dear Mom and Dad,<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry
I'm a day late. Things are pretty crazy like always! We had transfer
meeting yesterday and today we had to go around and sort out a whole
bunch of things with the missionaries living situation. It's all good
though, we had about 25 minutes of P-day :) don't worry about that
statement though, we get plenty of time to take care of ourselves during
the week, just these few days during transfers we are not sustained by
food or water or sleep. It's purely by the help of the Lord. We'll catch
up on sleep later on in the week. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We planned the transfers for 33 missionaries to come
in. Then only 16 were confirmed so we had to completely re-plan the
transfer in one day. Then after all the transfer notifications were made
and all the missionaries had officially been tranfered we got news that
another missionary was coming. Then we switched stuff around and
planned for it. Then we got news that another missionary was coming.
Then we switched stuff around and planned for it. Then we got news that
another missionary was coming. Then we switched stuff around and planned
for it. Then we got news that another missionary was coming. Then we
switched stuff around and planned for it. It's been totally hectic.
Hopefully tomorrow goes smooth. 20 missionaries are confirmed. Which
puts us at an expected 70+ in the next transfer :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today I got to see Elder Ng, my second companion,
off at the airport. I really love him a lot. He is the one from Hong
Kong. He will be going back to Utah though for school so I will just see
him back there one day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
President and Sister Lew are so funny. President Lew
is really starting to get comfortable and switch into a Dad-like mode
where he jokes around a lot with the missionaries and lovingly mocks
them hahaha. After transfer meeting we couldn't find President Lew and
then a few minutes later we saw Sister Lew in the street wearing bright
running shoes, filming President on her camera because he was carrying
some groceries and she wanted to document it. She made him stand there
so she could take pictures, they both had huge smiles on their faces,
like little kids or something. Everyone really loves them :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A lot of the new missionaries coming in are 18 year
old Elders and 19 year old Sisters and they are fantastic! They are very
prepared and willing and ready to work! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here
is a very depressing answer to your question Dad. They toilets here
don't swirl at all! All the water just goes straight down the whole. No
rotation whatsoever. When I first tried a toilet I wanted to see what
happened and I was extremely let down when it went straight down.
Thinking it was just that one toilet.. I tried on another toilet....
same thing... same thing... same thing... same thing... every toilet
here does the same thing. Sad answer, but it's true :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, I hope this week is great! Thank you for your words of love and appreciation! It means so much. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-32301189787753136852013-11-24T20:01:00.002-08:002013-11-24T20:01:18.438-08:00August is almost gone<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;">August 26, 2013</span></div>
<br />
Dear Family,
<div style="right: auto;">
<br style="right: auto;" /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
It's always a challenge to express in words..
and even more so, in text, the feelings I have from the mission. It's
something I have to do every week! This week was great. I got to go on
exchanges with many of the Zone Leaders and we experienced lots of great
things. We got to go to church in a place called Orange yesterday. It
was the District Conference for the members in the Orange District.
Presiding was Elder Walker of the 70. It was a neat experience to meet
and interact with these members that live out in the Australian Outback.
They are very faithful Saints and have a special spirit about them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
One really cool experience I had this week was
that I got to go back and work in Bankstown for the first time since I
left. I was with the Zone Leader Elder Wan. On this day I got to go
visit my recent convert Dee Havea. His family is still set to be sealed
in the temple in November. Just a few weeks before I come home. Dee is
an amazing man. He has been a member for less than 1 year but is one of
the most converted people I have ever met. He is always helping in
church activities and rescue nights and he fulfils his calling very well
as 1st counselor in the young men's. He understands the significance of
the priesthood and is always conscious of being worthy of it. He is
also using it in every way to bless his family. He and his wife and 6
children begin each morning with prayer and scripture study but since
they have been really sick lately they changed it up one morning and he
gave each child a blessing. The night before he
made sure he fasted and prayed to get the spirit, then woke up very
early in the morning to shave and put on a suit so that he could give
the blessings.<i> </i>I was really impressed by this. I am very blessed
to see the progression of Dee and how the gospel has blessed his family
in such a short time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
It's very sad to hear about all the deaths
happening lately. It is always a rough thing to lose someone close to
you. It is also such a blessing to have knowledge of the plan of
salvation. It may not answer every question that someone might have,
but it does give answers to the questions that God knows we need the
answers to. I am grateful for the Holy Ghost and it's power to teach.
Not only teaching through me, but also teaching to me. There are many
great and wonderful things that I have learned only because of the Holy
Ghost. No amount of intellect or intelligence could gather from the
scriptures or any other resource, the things that have been revealed to
me by the Holy Ghost. It is an unbeatable gift. If nothing else, the
Spirit will always provide us with comfort and peace to help us get
through whatever trial we have. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
To Makayla, I am so happy and so sad to hear
that you are growing up so fast! It seems like just yesterday I could
hold "Monkey" as a little baby but now you could probably lift me up! I
am excited to hear that you are going to go to a new school and makes
lots of new friends. You will never forget the people you have met
through school and daycare so far. You will also have lots of fun
in your new school. Change can be a scary thing. It is scary for
everyone because we don't know what to expect, or what will happen to
us. However, change makes life exciting! I remember I was nervous to
leave home and go on a mission but I knew how much I would learn and how
much I would change so I just did my best to try anything new. I have
learned a lot of new things and I am thankful for this experience of
being a missionary. There are also lots of other new things I had to do
before my mission but I am thankful for all of them
because they helped me to be a better person and to learn more, and
meet lots of cool new people. I'm sure that this new school will bring
you lot of happiness, friends and good memories. You are such a good and
kind girl I know that others will like you too. I'm happy for you
that you got to have a longer summer break & have fun at kids camp
& swim with Grant, Lydia and Lila. To Mr.Grant, have fun at
pre-school & take good care of Lydia and your mom. I am looking
forward to seeing Lydia as a little person, not just a tiny baby and to
meet Lila. </div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<br style="right: auto;" /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
This week we have a mission tour with the Area
President, Elder Hamula. I am very excited for that but also have to do a
lot of work in preparation for it. The days of sitting back and
enjoying the show are over. I'm now the stage crew! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Hope you all have a great week!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love Elder Thompson</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pictures</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- the Orange Zone at District Conference (many of these branches have not seen any missionaries in years)</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuRswNtmZ7GVEQcby2m9oauVRfmCT6e3chRjt9uwmRVPSFVyQJizVksGEnZlU19MlI_mXfHtmfF5L2i33LptPA6feRHWu4FWCHEru0NJcZI5XDoTRCVexm2LxRzjtGtKBg6Dwwnf4AV8/s1600/DSCN2837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuRswNtmZ7GVEQcby2m9oauVRfmCT6e3chRjt9uwmRVPSFVyQJizVksGEnZlU19MlI_mXfHtmfF5L2i33LptPA6feRHWu4FWCHEru0NJcZI5XDoTRCVexm2LxRzjtGtKBg6Dwwnf4AV8/s320/DSCN2837.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
- watching the sun rise at Pambula Beach<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaEiEe3aHrR9pO6yKTdo7XMqedJwRUNeB_h1jz7hhczCISygnJRuuw8XM1AJdgx28kXDlE3uRNb6KGm8byN9wx0N1ga2AAAwwFau-uEWHhuiKg-x30g1hgjPIrCSWkwahF6w3uaMT17U/s1600/P1040371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaEiEe3aHrR9pO6yKTdo7XMqedJwRUNeB_h1jz7hhczCISygnJRuuw8XM1AJdgx28kXDlE3uRNb6KGm8byN9wx0N1ga2AAAwwFau-uEWHhuiKg-x30g1hgjPIrCSWkwahF6w3uaMT17U/s320/P1040371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-74290521396410674692013-11-24T19:55:00.003-08:002013-11-24T19:55:43.734-08:00Family Ties<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; right: auto;">
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">August 18, 2013</span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
</div>
<div id="ecxyiv145444636" style="right: auto;">
<div dir="ltr" style="right: auto;">
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;">Good day family! </span>
<div style="right: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;">Yes,
I did get to meet up with Aunt Carol! It was great. We were in Canberra
and ended up with a little free time so we decided to drop by her place
for a surprise visit but no one was home so we went to the car and
called her but no answer. We had to make a few other calls so we just
stayed in the car and took care of business. Then she pulled up next to
us and caught us there waiting! haha it was funny. We then went to
dinner and it was really nice. It was so funny to see another Sherman.
Definitely felt like family. We went to the Parliament House which
was real fun. It's funny because for anyone else, spending 90 minutes
in Canberra for leisure time wouldn't even be worth the breath but for
us those 90 minutes felt like a 3 week vacation! haha! That's just how
it goes. I'll send pictures later on.</span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="color: #990000; right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">This
week showed lots of miracles as we went down through the south coast
and up through Canberra. A highlight of my week was when Elder
Tonga'onevai and I went tracting in some humble living circumstances.
Apparently this block of units is named by the missionaries, the
"Miracle Blocks". That it was. It is a government housing facility for
many young families and students who struggle</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">with money while they do their studies at the
nearby univeristy. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">In 90 minutes we found</span><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">
5 potential investigators, set up 1 return appointment, and were
invited in by a young vietnamese family to teach them the gospel of
Jesus Christ.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;"> I was shocked when the</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">young
mother named Nga simply said "Ok, come in, we will have you teach us."
We had an excellent lesson. They are Buddhist in background, so it was
interesting for me to teach them about our beliefs. I had the
opportunity to bear my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and I
felt the spirit very strong. That was a blessing for me to have that
experience.</span> </span></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; outline-color: invert; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;" /></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">Our
investigator named Gabriella showed up to church again as well. Last
week we had a somewhat informal lesson with her, but this week we had
our first scheduled</span> <span style="color: black; font-size: small;">meeting that
went really well. After a long, very intense lesson of the restoration
we stressed the importance of the Book of Mormon. Gabriella</span></span> <span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">said
that she feels like something is missing in her life but she doesn't
know what. Her member friends seem to have a "rock" in their lives that
really strengthens them and that's what she wants. At first we thought
that the rock she was missing was commandment keeping but as she
expressed how she doesn't drink or smoke or hook up with guys and stuff,
we realized that all she is now missing is the ordinances of salvation.
We read Helaman 5:12 with</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">her
(build your foundation on the rock of our Redeemer) and explained that
the way we build our foundation of the rock of Jesus Christ is by being
baptised. We then invited her to be baptised and she said yes!!!!
However, she is very aware that before she is baptised she must gain
faith and repentance and she said that she would be baptised on the
condition that she knew it was true.
We then assured her that there is no way we will let her get baptised
without first</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">developing
faith and repenting. Wow that was a spiritually draining lesson. She is
one of the most intense (intense is the best word I can think of)
investigators that I have ever had. I am SO grateful to be able to teach
her though, because it is forcing me to use every ounce of Spirit that I
can feel. I am learning so much already from this teaching experience.
It is very humbling. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">The
Australia Sydney South Mission is definitely catching the wave of
missionaries. When the mission split, our mission had a whopping 85
missionaries. By the end of</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">the
year, we will have 200. President Lew is very inspired, and under his
direction we are having a lot of success. We are also baptising many
more people and the missionaries are very happy. I know the Lord is
Hastening his work!</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;"><span style="line-height: 16px; right: auto;">By the way, I put that text in red. Everything that is red, you can just make that my 8th ward newsletter post. :)</span></span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;"><span style="line-height: 16px; right: auto;">I'm looking forward to this week! I hope you all have a great week as well!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;"><span style="line-height: 16px; right: auto;">Love, Elder Thompson</span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-26774860362202692032013-08-09T20:18:00.003-07:002013-08-09T20:18:44.973-07:00August is Here<div style="right: auto;">
<span id="ecxyiv120329252yui_3_7_2_139_1375934460421_47" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;"><span id="ecxyiv120329252yui_3_7_2_43_1375934460421_50" style="right: auto;">August 5, 2013</span></span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;"> </span></div>
Dear Mom and Dad
<div id="ecxyiv120329252yui_3_7_2_43_1375934460421_74" style="right: auto;">
<br id="ecxyiv120329252yui_3_7_2_43_1375934460421_51" style="right: auto;" /></div>
<div id="ecxyiv120329252yui_3_7_2_43_1375934460421_63" style="right: auto;">
It's
only been a few days since my last email huh? Time is flying so fast,
every time I look at the date on my watch it is always 1 or 2 days ahead
of where I though it should be. Tomorrow is August 6th. That blows my
mind! Things are going well here, finally calmed down and everything.
Lot's of miracles are happening. We are now working in the Hurstville
ward when we have time, we had our first Sunday there yesterday. A
random part member Columbian family showed up to sacrament and brought
their japanese friend with them. Funny thing is that President was
inspired to send a japanese Elder there even though it is a mostly
chinese area. That elder was able to talk to her and get contact details
so they can teach her. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
A really cool miracle though that has to do
with your question, Dad, about whether we help pair up the missionaries.
Yes, we are pretty involved with that process. My companion and I,
President and Sister Lew, after listening to the testimonies of the new
missionaries, go into presidents office and spent about 90 minutes
pairing them all up, praying about it and stuff. It is a REALLY cool
experience. That is one of my favorite things, I always look forward to
it. But anyway, a few days after transfers I was talking to an Elder who
was in an area called Camden. He met a member who was from Cowra, which
is a small branch that is way out in the bush. This member in Cowra
suspected that missionaries were coming soon because they had been
helping us look for accomodation out there. They never got around to it,
but they were going to request us to send a Filipino missionary out
there because a part member recent convert Filipino family
just moved into the branch. By this time, Elder Moyes who is training
in Cowra had already arrived with his new trainee, who just happens to
be Elder Abquina.. from the Philippines. He is a great missionary. I
couldn't my believe ears when I heard that. It really sunk in, I know
that these transfers are inspired by God. There are so many things
factored in that we really have no control over, however, God knows
what's going on and it is great to be able to rely on him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
When the mission split, we had about 80
missionaries. By the end of the year (when I come home) there will be
198 missionaries in the Australia Sydney South Mission alone. WHOA! I
feel bad for the person who has to organize all that chaos.. oh yeah.. I
have to organize all that chaos. It's gonna be nuts! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Elder Haeata and I had dinner in the mission
home last night with President and Sister Lew. It was really fun, we
just feel like really close friends. We talked about dating and how
Preach My Gospel is great in the principles it teaches because most of
the things can be applied to finding and maintaining a spouse. For
example there is a section called "Teach when you find, find when you
teach." and President Lew said in real life that is called "Date when
you find, and find when you Date." (Finding is when you are looking for
new investigators) hahaha anyway, it's been a fun week. This week we
have 6 exchanges planned. We're gonna have heaps of fun! :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have a great week!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-10194087990911071342013-08-09T20:18:00.000-07:002013-08-09T20:18:25.289-07:00Family Reunion<div id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_43" style="right: auto;">
<span id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_47" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;">July 31, 2013</span></div>
<div id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_65">
</div>
<div id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_115">
<span class="ecxyiv843913158ms__id5488 ecxyiv843913158ms__id21953" id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_57" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_86" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">Dear Family,</span></span></div>
<div id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_128" style="right: auto;">
<span class="ecxyiv843913158ms__id5489 ecxyiv843913158ms__id21955" id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_48" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="ecxyiv843913158ms__id5490 ecxyiv843913158ms__id21958" id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_62" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_131">Hey
sorry it took a while to get this written again, things have been
hectic as. We just had our first transfer as the Australia Sydney South
Mission. New mission. New mission office.</span> New mission president. New companion. and 29 new missionaries. Only 2 went home! Next transfer we have 29
more coming,</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_353" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">
then the next transfer we have 47 more coming. And over those 2
transfers we only have 6 people going home. That's totally insane. We
created a new zone</span><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"> and opened up 14<span id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_140"><span id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_147"> areas.</span>
The logistics of this have been crazy. I "killed" (had my companion
finish his mission) my first companion last week. It's a weird feeling</span> because you know you won't see them at conferences and stuff. He is going back to Utah though so I will see him there one day. </span></span></span></span></span>
<div style="right: auto;">
</div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; right: auto;">Anyway,
things here are GREAT!!!! I'm loving every minute. Things have been
crazier than I could have ever imagined but it's still a lot of fun.
Hope you all have a great week! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_66">
<span id="ecxyiv843913158yui_3_7_2_53_1375934460421_75" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">Love Elder Thompson</span></div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-32693909289157417182013-08-09T20:16:00.004-07:002013-08-09T20:16:44.367-07:00Happy Hot Pioneer Day<div id="ecxyiv1994017804yui_3_7_2_153_1375934460421_49">
<span id="ecxyiv1994017804yui_3_7_2_153_1375934460421_48" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span id="ecxyiv1994017804yui_3_7_2_63_1375934460421_50">July 23, 2013</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br /> </span></div>
G'day
<div>
<br /></div>
<div id="ecxyiv1994017804yui_3_7_2_63_1375934460421_69" style="right: auto;">
So
the verdict is final. I got confirmation of my visa extension! I am now
officially allowed to stay in Australia until 22 December 2013, so that
means I will be coming home 3 December 2013. Looks like I'll be home
for Christmas. Although I really wanted to extend, and that's what I
decided to do, it never felt quite real. It looked possible but I never
had that feeling that it was actually going to happen so now that I
found out about this, it just confirms those feelings. It's just good
to know for sure what will happen. Friday night we got to help prepare
food for the dinner with all the stake presidents and the member of the
70 and it was pretty fun. I had this waist down apron on and I really
looked like a waiter. They all told me I looked really good as a waiter
and that they would recommend me to anyone to work for them. I think
when I get home I will look for a
job as a waiter, probably at the Outback Steakhouse, I will just use my
Australian accent and entertain everyone hahaha my accent is acutally
pretty dang good. 80% of people here don't even know that I am American.
Heaps of people think that I am just an Aussie or from New Zealand it's
sweet as. I reckon being a waiter would be fun and I could get heaps of
tips and I might even meet my wife, who knows??? Anyway.. enough of
this waiter business, it might just be a phase. I go through a lot of
phases. Phases are fun, they keep life interesting :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
I'll share a cool experience from this weekend.
We went to invite some people to church Sunday morning a family which
the kids were baptised but not yet the parents. When we knocked, the
young girl Sophie answered the door and immediately said, my friend
Whitney is coming the church with us today, she slept over! It was
pretty cool, and so because Whitney would be with strangers all day,
Sophies mom Brook came to church as well. (She probably wouldn't have
come if Whitney wasn't there). At church, Brook was welcomed warmly.
It's been a few weeks since she last came. In gospel principles, the
lesson was on baptism and the members that were in the class were a mom
and her daughter. The daughter was older and married now but they shared
their conversion experience about how the kids were baptised first and
then the mom later. I could go into more detail but the experience they
shared related EXACTLY to Brook. I think it really
hit her. I hope she has her eyes opened and gives commitment to the
gospel so that her family can be blessed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Nothing I can really think of to say at the
family reunion other than to follow the prophet. The most important
thing we can do is follow the council of the prophets and the apostles
and everything will be ok. You can also let everyone know that I am well
and that I love my mission. :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Well, I think that's all for this week. BUSY,
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY, BUSY, BUSY, BUSY week ahead. Can't stress that enough!
Transfers and Mission Leadership council. Then planning for a recent
convert fireside the next week. All while I have a new companion and a
new mission president. This is the biggest intake the mission has ever
seen by far. about 4 times as many missionaries as we have ever gotten.
The wave has finally hit Sydney! We have 30 new missionaries coming in.
Then in a few months we have 46 more coming. SPLASH! haha what a great
thing to see! :) Bring it on!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
PS) Please pray especially hard for me, I need the Lord's help as much as possible! Can't do it without him :)</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-13983455157569441802013-08-09T20:15:00.002-07:002013-08-09T20:15:20.568-07:00Happy Campers<div id="ecxyiv1481372524yui_3_7_2_103_1375934460421_49">
<span id="ecxyiv1481372524yui_3_7_2_103_1375934460421_48" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span id="ecxyiv1481372524yui_3_7_2_73_1375934460421_50">July 18, 2013</span></span><span id="ecxyiv1481372524yui_3_7_2_160_1375934460421_49" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br id="ecxyiv1481372524yui_3_7_2_160_1375934460421_48" /> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="ecxyiv1481372524yui_3_7_2_160_1375934460421_52" style="right: auto;">
Hello! Sorry it's late.
<div id="ecxyiv1481372524yui_3_7_2_73_1375934460421_68">
<br /></div>
<div id="ecxyiv1481372524yui_3_7_2_73_1375934460421_67" style="right: auto;">
Well
here's my decision. I decided to extend my mission to 14 January
2014...... however, by the time I had made this decision it was already
too late and Sister Haynes had already did the travel request for 3
December... so that's the way it worked out. Right now, it's looking
like I will be home for Christmas. I haven't had my personal interview
with president Lew yet though so I will bring this up with him, let him
know what my situation was and see if we can make an exception to my
travel details, just cancel the itinerary that will come through and
book new travel for January. We'll see what happens :) either way I will
be satisfied with my mission. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Anyway, that's not even exciting news... KANNON
IS ENGAGED! WHOA!! Good on 'em. hahaha that blew my mind! Even though I
could see it coming from a million miles away.. ok maybe not a million,
but definitely a couple thousand miles away for sure. That means I'll
be the only one left. whoa... </div>
<div style="right: auto;">
so still no details for it, will I be home for
that do you think? Either way I don't want to be factored in too
much. If they need to get married quick then they don't need to wait for
me or anything haha but I do want to be there for sure. It is also
very good to hear about Corina and Trenton! Tell them congratulations
for me! If you can give me their address that would be great, I would
like to write them a letter if I get a few spare minutes. </div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<br style="right: auto;" /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
The email from president Lew I didn't know
about, Elder Hoer is my companion though so it was probably a copy and
paste or something. Not really sure. That's good you got the new address
though. you could put it on facebook or something. See if anyone wants
to send me a letter or something... I don't get a lot of letters hahaha,
but then again.. I don't write a lot of letters! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Anyway that's some news for the week, there's
more but we are really busy still. Tonight we are going to go set up
for a dinner at the mission home. President Lew is having all the stake
presidents over for dinner as well as the area 70. pretty intense! And
also in August Elder Hamula is doing a mission tour. He is the President
of the Pacific area. He is really cool and I should be able to talk to
him quite a bit :) Looking forward to that. Well, I love you, have a
great week! I'll hear from you on Monday!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-5426383383567576752013-08-09T20:14:00.003-07:002013-08-09T20:14:58.258-07:00Happy 4th of July<div id="ecxyiv717047835yui_3_7_2_174_1375934460421_48">
<span id="ecxyiv717047835yui_3_7_2_96_1375934460421_48" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span id="ecxyiv717047835yui_3_7_2_86_1375934460421_50">July 8, 2013</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="ecxyiv717047835yui_3_7_2_86_1375934460421_61" style="right: auto;">
Hello!
<div id="ecxyiv717047835yui_3_7_2_86_1375934460421_60">
<br /></div>
<div id="ecxyiv717047835yui_3_7_2_86_1375934460421_59" style="right: auto;">
Well,
now that the mission is split there are a few things that are way
different. Seeing that we only have half the mission to look after, we
potentially have a lot more time to spend proselyting. However,
President and Sister Lew are brand new to Australia and they need a lot
of help figuring out how things work here, mission things, cultural
things, logistical things, administrative things, driving especially
haha! Lot's of things to show them how to do. President Lew is very on
to it though. It hasn't been hard at all! This week, we have lot's of
Zone conferences all over the mission. It will be pretty busy but fun at
the same time. Last night we had our first recent convert fireside in
the Sydney South Mission. We used to have them every first Sunday at the
old mission office location but now we had one down south and it was
really great. The recent
converts who spoke were very good. Lot's of members, investigators and
other recent converts showed up as well. It was a semi-stressful thing
to plan out but it was all worth it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Today we actually had a pretty real P-day as
well. President Lew is really supportive of us having a P-day because he
know swe haven't had one in like 2 months so today was really nice :)</div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Crazy to know that Ryan is home now... I can't
believe it. I am very proud of him and know he was a great missionary.
Speaking of coming home, I have an interesting decision to make. See if
you can make sense of this. My proposed release date is 25 December but
that's Christmas day. We have been planning to send me home 3 December
because it is the transfer right before the 25th. I also found out that
President Lew has the authority to send a missionary home up to 30 days
before or after their original release date, visa situation permitting.
A transfer is 42 days but since my release date is mid-transfer, I
would be able to stay another transfer longer which would put me home
about 14 January. So I have to decide. Do I want to come home 3
December, or 14 January? I have been praying about it alot. I have to
decide by tomorrow what I will do. I am very torn and would appreciate
any input or information from you
guys. Will you email me back about this tomorrow? I need to let
Sister Haynes know by tomorrow whether or not she should book a plane
ticket for me or not. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, I have to send this off, but I look forward to hearing from you tomorrow! :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-33617408133448576802013-08-09T20:13:00.000-07:002013-08-09T20:13:26.719-07:00Happy Mission Split Time<div id="ecxyiv1536941343yui_3_7_2_116_1375934460421_48">
<span id="ecxyiv1536941343yui_3_7_2_52_1375932701968_55" style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">July 3, 2013</span></div>
<div id="ecxyiv1536941343yui_3_7_2_181_1375934460421_46">
<br id="ecxyiv1536941343yui_3_7_2_181_1375934460421_47" /> </div>
<div id="ecxyiv1536941343yui_3_7_2_52_1375932701968_69">
Hello Hello</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Yes ,I'm still alive and kicking! :) things are
going really well. To make things clear, I am serving in the Australia
Sydney South Mission now. It is a new mission. New mission president,
new mission office, new mission home, new everything. The new mission
president is President Lew from Lehi, Utah. He is chinese. President and
Sister Lew are here and they are AWESOME! I know that they were meant
to be my mission parents for sure. President Lew is very very loving and
also very on top of things. I was amazed at how when he first got here
he knew all the right questions to ask, like things about how the
mission is organized and stuff. Things I wouldn't have thought to ask,
but which are really important. I feel good because Elder Hoer and I are
able to answer about 95% of his questions and have already made some
big decisions in the mission. I can really feel the Holy Ghost help me
as I perform this very hard task. I have prayed
so much for the ability to take on this special assignment and I have
definitely felt an in-human source of support. Every night I thank
Heavenly Father for helping me do something that I otherwise would not
be able to do without his help. It's incredible how much I have grown in
just the past few days with all the responsibility. I have felt a new
found sense of motivation since he has been here too. He is very
fundamental in his teaching and in his vision which is exactly what I
think the mission needs. His personality is very personal, he listens
very intently and he is fun too. If I could try to describe his
personality, the best way would be to compare him to Elder Bednar.
That's kind of his style. And sister Lew is really awesome!! She is
very very very short! haha and she is also a marathon runner. She is
really fun and loving and innocent and ALL the missionaries love her to
death. She almost reminds me of Mary Lou Jewett. President and
Sister Lew after our first Zone Conference yesterday took some time
afterwards and went out for a few hours with the missionaries to do
proselyting with them. That is something neither one of my old mission
Presidents ever did. I though that was really neat of them, they really
enjoyed their time doing that too. </div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra" style="right: auto;">
That really
freaked me out when you said you were having the Independence day
party! It didn't even occur to me that that holiday was coming up. I
just about screamed and looked at my watch in a panic! Time is going by
so fast!!! If you wouldn't have said anything, I would have gone the
rest of the year without realizing that holiday even happened. Wow!
That's good to hear about the missionary mall clothes by the way.</div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra">
Thanks for your comments on my
future, means a lot that you support me in whatever I do. There are so
many options it's ridiculous! Guess I can pray about it when the time is
right and if I don't get a clear answer then I'll take a step down a
path and see what he has to say about it :)</div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra" style="right: auto;">
Yeah the
new announcements on the Work of Salvation broadcast were really cool!
Did they show that in your church meetings? Things like using facebook
and iPads are being piloted in the states right now and will start going
out to other areas. Uisng facebook and stuff won't reach this mission
anytime this year, so it looks like I will never see that stuff used in
my mission life but it doesn't mean that I can't use it to share the
gospel the minute I get home :) haha that's the great thing! </div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra">
Alright I love you guys! Til next week! </div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra">
<br /></div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra">
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra" id="ecxyiv1536941343yui_3_7_2_116_1375934460421_52">
</div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra" id="ecxyiv1536941343yui_3_7_2_116_1375934460421_55">
</div>
<div class="ecxyiv1536941343gmail_extra" id="ecxyiv1536941343yui_3_7_2_116_1375934460421_289">
Elder Thompson is now serving in the Australian Sydney South Mission.<br /><br />He has a new address:<br /><br />Please send all letters to:<br /></div>
Elder Kuyler Thompson<br />Australian Sydney South Mission<br />PO Box 456<br />Mortdale, NSW 2223<br />AustraliaTiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-33838809193277693072013-08-09T20:09:00.001-07:002013-08-09T20:09:43.998-07:00Happy Winters Day<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="right: auto;">June 26, 2013</span></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<span style="right: auto;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="right: auto;">
So as you know, my email didn't get
to you last week until now, things have been great though. This week we
are doing a couple of last zone conferences for all the south mission so
that Pres. and Sis. Howes could say goodbye. President Howes is giving
every missionary a blessing while Elder Hoer and I do a training. It's
pretty cool. That takes a lot of energy. Pretty much everything is set
to go for the mission split. We're just kinda playing the waiting game
for Pres. Lew to get here so we can really take off. He should get here
30 June. Sunday morning. Then we will get really busy again. Right now
we live almost an hour away from the mission office.. but when the split
happens we will be able to use our new office which is only 5 minutes
away from our place. I am really looking forward to the great things
that are about to happen in the Australia Sydney South Mission.
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
That's awesome to hear about Logan being home!
Derek emailed me and wondered if I would be keen to team up with him
and go to USU and get housing together and stuff. We are working a few
things out right now. Figuring out the realism of that happening.
Praying about it and stuff. I know I won't have enough money to start
school straight away though so I will need to work A LOT before I can
get back in to studies. I also want to try and apply for federal aid and
see what I can get. I'm still planning on studying art education as a
major. I also am really thinking of doing photography as a minor and
doing wedding photos and stuff on the side one day to make a little
extra cash and also maybe make a career out of it or something. It would
just give me more options and stuff. What do you think? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Good luck on City Council! Am I able to vote for that one? I would
like to if I can. I will be praying for you. I think it's about time you
brought some brains into the City Circus. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Haven't heard anything about the moon stuff but it really makes
sense because last night the moon was HUGE!!! It lit up all the clouds
and stuff and looked really cool. It was almost like a sunrise but way
different haha </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Well, til next week I hope this thing actually gets to you! :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-35672445891537486312013-08-09T20:08:00.002-07:002013-08-09T20:08:49.243-07:00How are you?<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; right: auto;">
June 10, 2013</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; right: auto;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="right: auto;">
Hey there!
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Sorry I didn't get an email off last week! :(
we didn't get to email Monday night like we usually find time to do,
like right now. Then we had zome conferences all week! 8 hr training to
about 30-50 missionaries at a time. It was a great experience though. I
got to meet ALL the missionaries, it was really exciting. Then the
church websites haven't been working for some reason so that's been a
little annoying. BUT... I am doing fantastic! Things are quickly heading
toward the mission split. Things are getting pretty real and lots of
progress is being made. The new mission office and home are all prepared
and ready to go. This week we will be planning the upcoming transfers.
This transfer will be a very important one because we have to create 3
new zones, decide who will be North and South, and also decide who will
be all the new trainers and things like that. It's nearly mind blowing!
hahah</div>
<div style="right: auto;">
We do a lot of driving. In the 5 weeks that
I've been here We have probably driven about 6000 kilometers! that's no
good for getting excercise :) hahaha </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Tonight we had leavers dinner for two
missionaries from Tonga and Samoa who's visa's are expiring. They will
stay with us tonight which will put 8 of us in one flat. There's 3
assistants, 3 fleet missionaries(the ones who take care of temporal
needs in the mission ex. cars, flats, vacuums etc..) and those 2. It
should be a fun night :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Lets see.. oh today was fun, we actually got a
P-Day kinda! We brought a bunch of missionaries from a few zones into a
central chapel and had a big basketball day! There was probably about
40ish people there so we had some good games going on! </div>
<div style="right: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Fun fact, a missionary who served here, Elder
Ford, was waiting for his visa to go to his actual mission which happens
to be the Utah Ogden mission! He just left a few weeks ago and we saw
him off. I got an email from Elder Russell and he said Elder Ford called
him up and came over to his house. Apparently he is getting trained in
our area! How crazy is that? hahaha If you see him you'll have to tell
him that I say hi!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Things are great here! There is a lot of
excitement and a buzz among the missionaries as we prepare for the
split! I will be busy, busy, busy but I should be able to find time to
email. No excuses:)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="right: auto;">
Til Next time!</div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson </div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-37294408296789705082013-08-09T20:07:00.002-07:002013-08-09T20:07:24.018-07:00Memorial Day<div>
May 27, 2013</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dear Mom and Dad</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Yes you are right, it is a whole new world! haha The trip
down the south coast was incredible. I never realized how beautiful
Australia is.... it is amazing!!!! There are a lot of kangaroos down
there.. just hopping around town and neighborhoods and stuff, silly
creatures!
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had the opportunity to go on a lot of exchanges with the Elders
down there too, which was nice to get out there and do some teaching and
finding and missionary work. I missed bearing my testimony to people
and inviting them to change. The church really is everywhere, it's
incredible, tiny little middle of no-where towns have a branch where
people can worship! We took a lot of really awesome pictures too, they
are on Elder Shim's camera though so I am going to have to steal them
all some time :) Oh yeah and we got chased by a dog!! haha It was just
like a scene out of a movie or something, funniest thing ever!!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Canberra was pretty cool! Really cold!!! like -5 degrees celcius! I
wish we could have gone to visit Aunt Carol but I didn't have her
address on me or phone number or anything. I will be going down there a
fair bit now though so I should have more chances to visit her :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's great news about the temple work, I'm sure many more tears
will freely flow when other ordinances are performed. I'm jealous that
I'm missing out on all this temple action. My favorite!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I did buy a GPS, I got it half off and spent about $125, it
works well & I am satisfied. It has successfully and safely taken us
on about 3,000 km worth of driving already so it's a good purchase. Oh
and I'll have to send you a picture of a pair of my shoes, the inside
part of my right one is falling apart so I'll need some new ones sent
over, time is almost up! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have a great visit to Tanners yard tomorrow and to Grandma Sherman's grave.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-39923687838712085032013-08-09T20:06:00.002-07:002013-08-09T20:06:33.671-07:00May flowers are blooming<div>
May 20, 2013</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dear Mom and Dad </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Glad I got this opportunity to have a few minutes to email tonight!
I really enjoyed the call as well! I can't believe it's my last one!
Glad everyone else enjoyed it too! Next time we talk it will be in
person :) Wow Jordan Lee is home time flies, feels like just yesterday
we both got our calls on the same day! Cool experience he had with the
kid, I wonder if the kid realizes the significance of that. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Being assistant to the president is a very very different thing. A
lot of the mission rules don't really apply to us.. bed time, internet,
driving, calling, area, schedule.. it's all different. we have a lot
of privileges that help up to be able to do our work more effectively.
We basically help make all the decisions in the mission, transfers, and
policies and stuff. We are constantly driving to the airport to pick
people up and drop others off. We give trainings, go on exchanges with
missionaries all over the mission, and who knows what else, the
responsibilities are endless but so fun! I get to know every missionary
pretty well and work with all sorts of people. Last week we went on a
tour of the orange district which included areas called: Mudgee, Dubbo,
Orange, Cowra, and Bathurst and other areas in between. Look some of
those up on google maps, they are bush as! Cowra was my favorite place
though.. I think I might request
to finish my mission there :) This week, starting tomorrow morning to
Friday night we are going on a tour of the south coast of NSW! We'll be
going to areas like: Wollongong, Nowra, Ulladulla, Narooma, Merimbula
and also Canberra. checking out the chapels and going on exchanges with
the missionaries there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today we got to go to a big zone P-day back at Dee Why beach in my
old area Manly :) we played on the beach and stuff, it was really fun!
After that we went to the family home evening in the City YSA branch, it
was really fun. We had missionaries act out the plan of salvation and
we also learned about the life of Sister Monson in wake of her passing
away. After, we played charades and had pancakes and ice cream! I got to
meet this girl named Gyin from Taiwan, she is getting baptized on 8
June and she doesn't think she is ready. Some missionaries were talking
to her and encouraging her and I was there as well. I got the chance to
talk to her one on one for like 20 minutes and went over some of the
baptism interview questions with her and also taught her about the
covenant of baptism very very simply because her english is not very
great. I think her teaching process had somewhat lacked simplicity so
she may seem overwhelmed. I invited her to
make a few commitments that will help her reach baptism and afterward
she thanked me with a big smile saying that she had been helped a lot by
that conversation. I really felt the spirit as I talked with her and
knew that it had brought comfort and peace to her heart and
understanding to her mind. She said she is going to go ponder about it
all. I know that as she ponders, her seed of faith is going to grow :)
it's amazing how far a good ponder session can take you. I'm grateful
for the spirit guiding me, helping me know what to say and do in order
to help her tonight. I love teaching, it's my favorite thing about my
mission. teaching, teaching, teaching! I love it! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hey, now that I think of it.. why don't you just include that
little experience that I just shared as my part in the newsletter! :)
That'll work quite nicely! And make my picture one of the ones with the
waterfall! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway! If there's anything I missed, let me know! I gotta go for now. Love you guys!!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-75893849522913325902013-08-09T20:05:00.001-07:002013-08-09T20:05:19.921-07:00May Day<div>
May 7, 2013</div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
Hey! Sorry I'm getting to you guys so late, just wanted
to let you know what's up. I don't have time to read your whole email
right now or write a long one back, unfortunately. Well, unexpectedly I
got transfered after only 1 transfer in Penrith ZL. President Howes
called me to be his assistant so I'm working in the office and stuff
now. We are planning for all the new missionaries coming in tomorrow and
it is really busy haha :) I love this new assignment though! For
reference I can email you whenever I want (or have time to) so I'll get
back with more details of what we can do for Mother's Day phone call! :)
Love you all!!!!</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-25535025492780050652013-08-09T20:03:00.001-07:002013-08-09T20:03:44.034-07:00Pictures from April 21 and 28th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oktLlCb-3dhNbjOpzW4iOxC2DyxeVG3Yon8CDbslmhR_zvWRVXxE6V1Zbehrib_0JMJqProKkSnF4HpbiTCQuv7ylbvQUM0nL_JeaHyW2bQbjbfnnSlU1JWhL1TsM6_pI55rwS7u2KM/s1600/April+21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oktLlCb-3dhNbjOpzW4iOxC2DyxeVG3Yon8CDbslmhR_zvWRVXxE6V1Zbehrib_0JMJqProKkSnF4HpbiTCQuv7ylbvQUM0nL_JeaHyW2bQbjbfnnSlU1JWhL1TsM6_pI55rwS7u2KM/s320/April+21.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPxIFeSoWY3yFzLnEhwq1pVRlVDOLY5PDQk4WwXoFL3grGYbCtPCDfu5oDVjowqHTvIIaew85-QlVuQgbDiIbeJHpa-sHCy4_YlkFro8MqOcZOTktB45G064yQXrphSzUAV4nEavz9kk/s1600/102_2696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPxIFeSoWY3yFzLnEhwq1pVRlVDOLY5PDQk4WwXoFL3grGYbCtPCDfu5oDVjowqHTvIIaew85-QlVuQgbDiIbeJHpa-sHCy4_YlkFro8MqOcZOTktB45G064yQXrphSzUAV4nEavz9kk/s320/102_2696.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMcKhx6GScOY6_G-Cx9AVuFpT4Ep2Yf0FMKg7o6g0uKOq8mTAaRiCfLwe6SAdz9dRfP8mCSSR0gVhKW5YwMZrnLVR2v1vlBTIYj6PODxWNFjLxQsAKfVLiNwJ7UMNmgozSsfzckyU3ok/s1600/DSCF8175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMcKhx6GScOY6_G-Cx9AVuFpT4Ep2Yf0FMKg7o6g0uKOq8mTAaRiCfLwe6SAdz9dRfP8mCSSR0gVhKW5YwMZrnLVR2v1vlBTIYj6PODxWNFjLxQsAKfVLiNwJ7UMNmgozSsfzckyU3ok/s320/DSCF8175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQezbJnV5lX1uNzMBb9M8WDgKTufMtwlyBQvLzzTMusypilmpy6KVsMgU2pG3ZxRlKv-whufUPnSuskhG4mzqXLHy4n3aSMoxcXfq5MbJhzD_XgaW5w48E3DoerVdYfKbiXFDM0XkD_U/s1600/DSCF8179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQezbJnV5lX1uNzMBb9M8WDgKTufMtwlyBQvLzzTMusypilmpy6KVsMgU2pG3ZxRlKv-whufUPnSuskhG4mzqXLHy4n3aSMoxcXfq5MbJhzD_XgaW5w48E3DoerVdYfKbiXFDM0XkD_U/s320/DSCF8179.JPG" width="161" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdle9RoFeNene8s1LjsMStajcFs95k9VUCEdcysqHayJsxpAnH5686n_1UVrlPckCUowMoZwFuVyjA_jN3YZagO8kuvpzhAMFlfz7ZxGo7BAqwcQt2uyhJ83_iC-oUQLVPEjavGPGOuK4/s1600/IMG_0749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdle9RoFeNene8s1LjsMStajcFs95k9VUCEdcysqHayJsxpAnH5686n_1UVrlPckCUowMoZwFuVyjA_jN3YZagO8kuvpzhAMFlfz7ZxGo7BAqwcQt2uyhJ83_iC-oUQLVPEjavGPGOuK4/s320/IMG_0749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINrsVzPwu9ir-E-KhAYQPPrsSqPbwEyTNmi6lKTz6T1DYsV-kLrCbKOAKEYCSzUY8i07eXMpq6Q0VlvzylYHtaA6cteTlwuxZ_KTczKbB9tfAWLnQ4FCjSAa5Kli3jHBHvSuReAhJiZA/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINrsVzPwu9ir-E-KhAYQPPrsSqPbwEyTNmi6lKTz6T1DYsV-kLrCbKOAKEYCSzUY8i07eXMpq6Q0VlvzylYHtaA6cteTlwuxZ_KTczKbB9tfAWLnQ4FCjSAa5Kli3jHBHvSuReAhJiZA/s320/IMG_0751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW2hMPCVHOI34Oa-DiDMZObh7zAxR8M6UG_VEB3dqcm-jGiqed3-RMkJkIJSZMmud2ZDyc8lEkxAZ-j-7eFyOmF1Oxi9WBDq7pbPzqhlPxOLI53jHUwiO3wcckCrJUBPX0Ou_i61jDSk/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJW2hMPCVHOI34Oa-DiDMZObh7zAxR8M6UG_VEB3dqcm-jGiqed3-RMkJkIJSZMmud2ZDyc8lEkxAZ-j-7eFyOmF1Oxi9WBDq7pbPzqhlPxOLI53jHUwiO3wcckCrJUBPX0Ou_i61jDSk/s320/IMG_0778.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCVH6HDEGGfH3w3h8PdDUHqHWbpyf6Qb7UYR1DYLH4smeG-Qj5l46cTo-S3ttjBJXMpSX2zlRTp3CVY-vy_ixFk5BX4hI-onIP4WMr0RpsFTt7xGSa77idEO9lh96rFywXSPJjcAII-s/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCVH6HDEGGfH3w3h8PdDUHqHWbpyf6Qb7UYR1DYLH4smeG-Qj5l46cTo-S3ttjBJXMpSX2zlRTp3CVY-vy_ixFk5BX4hI-onIP4WMr0RpsFTt7xGSa77idEO9lh96rFywXSPJjcAII-s/s320/IMG_0784.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oktLlCb-3dhNbjOpzW4iOxC2DyxeVG3Yon8CDbslmhR_zvWRVXxE6V1Zbehrib_0JMJqProKkSnF4HpbiTCQuv7ylbvQUM0nL_JeaHyW2bQbjbfnnSlU1JWhL1TsM6_pI55rwS7u2KM/s1600/April+21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-47524881632306604932013-05-20T14:28:00.000-07:002013-05-20T14:28:46.705-07:00<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">April 28, 2013</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dear Makayla, </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
I'm glad you like Kannon's girlfriend, Randi Ann. If you approve
then that means she is really great :) Make sure you make them play
lot's of games with you! hahah I'll see what kind of kangaroo stuff I
can bring home for you.</div>
<div>
Love, Uncle Elder</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dear Mom and Dad,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">This week was
REALLY slow for the first part, lot's of cancelled appointments and
rejection but it finished off strong. We ended up having a really solid
week, set a baptismal date, added a few new investigators and did a lot
of service for people! :) On Wednesday our whole zone went to the Blue
mountains to do service for a disability center. It is a monthly thing.
The next morning, because <span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">w</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">e
had some extra kilometers that we could burn on the car this month, we
woke up early and drove to the Blue mountains and hiked to a waterfall
called Minni-ha-ha falls.</span> <span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">It
was really beautiful. The falls were probably about 30-40 meters tall
and had this really
nice pool at the bottom. We were pretty secluded and did our personal
and companionship study right there at the base of the waterfall. Did it
all in full pross clothes! We</span> <span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">have really amazing pictures, I'll send some in another email! :)</span> </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">Recently a 23
year old guy named Meki moved in from New Zealand and lives with his
cousin. He's only been a member about 2 years and is looking for a fresh
start over here. Our goal is to get him on a mission. He wasn't too
sure about that idea before, didn't think he knows enough about the
gospel but we have been taking him out with us to fellowship and teach
people. The ward has really taken him in and he loves it. He is already
talking about places he could get sent on a mission if he were to go! I
reckon he'll be wearing a name tag shortly :) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">So
I think I have everything I need for the visa now. Took passport photos
and stuff so we're good to go! I was right about everyone's birthdays
and stuff! Just wasn't sure about where everyone was born. Layton is
easy enough to remember though! I even knew where both of you guys were
born! That's pretty good, I'm proud of myself!</span> </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">So
Dec. 3 as my realease date is just a way rough estimate that just got
thrown out the window. We just found out that when the mission
splits, the north mission will have a 4 week transfer which will send
me home either like half way through November or just after Christmas..
that's if I stay in the north mission. If I go to the south then... I
would GUESS maybe getting home 17 December because the new mission is
formed on 1 July and if that is also the start of their transfer cycles
then that's when I would end up going home, 4 transfers later. Its
confusing but at least it makes my going home time a grey area that
seems less like a finish line!</span> </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">I'm
glad to hear the twins had a good homecoming, I got an email from
Tanner:) Thanks for the package number, it would be a bad thing if I
got package 1052 or 1222. Yes everything survived really well! For the
mother's day phone call I'm not sure about details yet. Maybe we'll talk
about it today at zone leader council. I don't predict us getting to
skype this time.. we'll see. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">Oh
yeah.. Mom I need a favor. We have been asked to give a spiritual
thought at the upcoming ward Mother's day party. I want to know what
direction we should go with it if we really want to make it an impacting
message! Just throw out some ideas and we'll see what we can do :)
Thanks! Enjoy your sabbath!!! :)</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">Love, Elder Thompson</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-59397082486923946162013-05-20T13:19:00.000-07:002013-05-20T13:19:14.819-07:00Keep on Keeping on<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: small;">April 21, 2013</span> </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dear Mom and Dad, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sounds like a pretty eventfull week for you guys! That's good that
Tanner got over. I didn't get his email though! It is so weird that they
are home now. I am not looking forward to the day my name tag comes
off..or at least not looking forward to the feeling. I can't remember
when Aaron Hill left exactly. I think he might be home now or getting
home in the next week or two. I've been thinking about that. I heard his
family moved to Logan. That stinks :( I am starting to kinda get fat.
It's just been a bad week though. Not all weeks are like this (food
wise). We had KFC like 3 times plus a few other huge feeds. I should be
able to lose it playing basketball though, I just turn into a sweat
machine. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's great to hear about Tia and Daniels farm. Sounds like things
are up and moving. I might have to go help out on the farm sometime
just to give me something to do! Have they started to build the new
house yet? Yeah I did hear about the thing in Boston. That's really
scary. The Syarcuse distance running coach and also a girl that was on
my track team were both running in that marathon, Coach Buhrley sent an
email saying that they were both ok. One of them was only about .3 miles
away from the finish line when it happened. Good to hear they are ok.
Hopefully things don't continue to build up there. I haven't heard
anything about Korea in a while either, wonder what's going on there.
Times are gettting crazy!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Had a few really cool things happen this week that I want to share.
We had another baptism this weekend. A young man named Blake. He is 12
and his mom was less active. She was active younger then got pregnant
with him at 18 and the guy she married turned out to be a total jerk and
she ended up on the do not visit list for years and then they separated
a while ago and now her new husband is supportive and really nice. He
even came to the baptism. The missionaries visited that name on the
list and boom, she was really awesome. She got work off to come to
Blakes confirmation yesterday. First time at church in probably about 13
years and she really enjoyed it! :) </div>
<div>
The other really cool thing was a visit we had with a less active
family. They are Maori and the mom gets really nervous to meet new
people and has pretty bad anxiety when it comes to social things. She
just had dinner with our ward mission leader which was really great and
was going to come to a missionary fireside last night but I think her
husband had to work. Anyway the miracle was a few days before all of
this we went to visit them and had a lesson where they opened up and
committed to make some changes. We found out that the dad had been out
of work for about 2 weeks and they were struggling. After the lesson we
were playing with little a basket of baby kittens and I didn't notice
but the dad got a call and went in the house to talk privately. Then as
we were leaving they told us that phone call was for him to start work
that coming monday (which I just realized is today! haha). That's not
coincidental! As we left we asked them if there
was anything we could do and found out that they needed food. so we
came back later that night with 3 huge bags of food and other things
provided by the Lord. That's the best way I can explain it. </div>
<div>
There are miracles everywhere! There is nothing that can beat the feeling of helping someone. Nothing even comes close!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I did get my birthday package! I only have a few graham crackers
left :) put them with milk in a bowl and ate them! :) I have the card
too so you can activate it. I also used my umbrella already to stand in
the rain and watch Blakes footy game the morning before his baptism.
Everything is used well, even the preserved Sunday comics wrapping
paper!! hahaha Thanks heaps! I look forward as well to the phone call
home. My last one, just a few weeks! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Glad to hear you are all doing well! Hope to hear more good news next week! </div>
<div>
'Til then</div>
<div>
Love Elder Thompson!</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-20726541113387843912013-05-20T13:08:00.002-07:002013-05-20T13:08:57.484-07:00April news from home<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">April 14, 2013</span></div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<br />Dear Mom and Dad, </div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
Hmm
where to start? This week started off pretty good then got really slow
and then it was conference so we didn't get up to much and then we
finished really strong Sunday night! I really liked conference though. I
think my two favorite talks were President Monson's Sunday morning talk
and also the talk by Elder Hales. I usually get put to sleep by him but
this time it caught my attention! Thanks for the encouragement to be a
zone leader. I really need that. I'm just starting to get melancholy and
apathetic toward other missionaries but that helps me realize that I
just need to do my best. Oh I figured my kangaroo case would get taken.
I'll see if I can find another one maybe, it will be all good as long
as I get to pet it every once in a while. It is so soft :) Ha ha!!</div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
I
got to talk on the phone with Tanner (wow that's weird I haven't been
able to call him that for the last more than a year!) the night before
he left. He was pretty excited :) thats understandable. I am trying not
to get trunky! I have only 7 1/2 months left. Can you believe that? I
prepared a few questions to be answered by conference and a few were
about guidance for the future at home and I got answered on them, but I
try not to think about it too much. The mothers day phone call is soon!
That will be my last one! Which reminds me I still need to finish my
visa papers. What I need you guys to do for me is scan my mission call
and send me the digital copy of it. I need it for my visa extension. </div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
One
thing I've always been impressed with you guys and the whole family is
every week I hear about some kind of service that you give. That is so
awesome! There is no other way to be more Christlike than serving
others. Two of the best ways I think to strengthen a testimony of the
Savior is to do missionary work and to serve the needs of other people.
The good feeling you get from selflessly serving someone is
irreplaceable by anything! I especially want to express my gratitude to
you mom and dad for raising me and also providing for me to serve a
mission. I am also grateful for Grandpa & Sheila for their sacrifice
in helping support me on my mission. Grandpa & Sheila are always
helping others as is Uncle John. I have heard about and seen the many
people they serve and some of those people have been us. Good on them!
The
people I help everyday are only being served because of your
selflessness and the examples I have seen and heard about. That's a big
deal. Thank you so much for what you do. Me, the Lord and his children
are very thankful for it! </div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
I should
be getting my package tomorrow at zone conference. I'm really looking
forward to it :) Oh yeah we did do lazer tag last week and I smashed
everyone! We are going today but to a different place where it is $15
for unlimited bowling and lazer tag! booyeah! Wish me luck!</div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;">
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-319792625573579822013-04-14T20:20:00.000-07:002013-04-14T20:20:34.981-07:00Happy Easter<div>
March 31, 2013</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dear Mom and Dad </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy Easter to you too! This weekend has been a good Easter
weekend. There was a special spirit at church as we focused on the
ressurection of Jesus Christ. It was also a good first week at the
Minchinbury ward! It feels like I have been here for ages!! It's just
been a busy week because we were preparing for a baptism. We baptised a
Korean girl named Olivia on Saturday. She is a friend of a member and
just started coming to church at the beginning of the month. It was such
an honor for me to be able to be part of all the final preparations for
the baptism and being able to teach the last few important things. Back
in Bankstown they also had 2 baptisms of African sisters from a part
member family that we have been working with for a month or two. It is
so funny that we get so excited over a couple of people getting
baptised. Something that the rest of the world doesn't really even care
about, but that means so much for the eternities. I just
wish everyone had the same awareness of sacred things and hey.. thats
what I'm trying to do anyway! haha :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We had a nice dinner for Easter. They fed us a nice tuna
casserole.. I haven't had a casserole in like a thousand years! It was
really delicious. and yes we have way too much chocolate. I forgot how
much chocolate I got last year but now I remember. I'll try to not eat
so much and if I do then I'll do a few more situps or something haha! I
forgot April fools day was today until I flipped to the next page of my
Dilbert calendar! We are trying to think of something we can do to our
flat mates.. they are on bikes so we we're going to steal them or
something. We are running out of time though.. P-day ends at 1:30 today
because of zone leader council. We'll see what we can do! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like what that guy said about pride. I read the preview in the
Ensign about the teachings of Lorenzo Snow book and have been craving to
read it for a long time, I finally got my hands on one this week and
read out of it for personal study in a chapter about leadership in the
church. It really humbled me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll keep that in mind about the comet for Thanksgiving! I always
say to people that I wish we had more moons. Think how cool it would be
to look up and see a bunch of different size, different color moons all
over the sky. It would feel like Star Wars or something! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am super excited for General Conference! We don't get it for
another two weeks though so don't give things away!!!!!!!! That's like
spoiling a great movie!!! Just please refrain!! :) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope you all have fun doing Easter egg hunts! I wish I could see
the excited look on their faces! haha they always get so excited to find
some eggs :) Tell everyone I say hi and send my love! :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until Next week!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Love, Elder Thompson</div>
Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8190841205594353008.post-21550811264411523922013-04-14T20:14:00.001-07:002013-04-14T20:14:07.641-07:00Marching into new seasons<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">March 25, 2013</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">Dear Mom and Dad, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">So transfers
happened this week... and I am now in an area called Minchinbury! :) I
got moved to be the Zone Leader in the Penrith zone. My companion is
Elder Robinson. He used to be in the Mortdale zone with me. I have
always thought it would be awesome to be his companion and now I am! I
am also in the zone that I have always wanted to go to! It's the biggest
zone in the mission. It covers an area probably a little smaller than
Texas! Most of it is the outback though and there's nothing out there!
This zone borders with the Brisbane, Adelaide, and Melbourne missions!
It also has the most remote area in the mission called Dubbo which is
about 6 hours west of us here in Minchinbury which is about 1 1/2 hours
west of the coast. It is awesome! I should be seeing a wild kangaroo
soon :) I had an emotional experience </span><span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">in an <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">accounting
prayer I had with Heavenly Father the last night in Bankstown. I wept
as I recounted all of the amazing experiences that I had and also for
the experiences that I have had my whole life. It was really nice to
feel His love and approval of the work that I have done for Him. I
haven't cried in a long time! at least not like <i>really</i> crying. I
am very, very excited to be here with Elder Robinson though. It is a new
challenge andwe are ready to work hard and do everything we can,
together.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">Easter should
be pretty good here. They have a huge easter celebration at the olympic
park that goes for like 2 weeks, so this is a holiday they actually do
good!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">I've started
working on the papers for the visa extention... there's ALOT of
paperwork and a lot of stuff I have to fill out that I don't know so I
will have to email those questions to you. I was going to do that today
but with transfers and everything.. stuff is just hectic. I still
haven't tried kangaroo! I will have to go buy some. I've heard it's
really good though :)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">Haven't seen a
comet or anything.. haven't even heard about it! Sounds pretty cool, I
don't know if I'll be able to see it though because we don't spend a lot
of time outside during the night, speaking of which I think daylight
saving is soon here. I'll have to check! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">Anyway, you can look up on the map how big my zone is, it's pretty crazy! :)</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">Talk to you next week! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif;">Love, Elder Thompson</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>Tiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14492839667314465762noreply@blogger.com0