Thompson Bible

Lunes:

Today we were just hanging out in the mall. Finally found contact solution and can finally start wearing contacts again. To end the day we had a Noche de Hogar with the Familia Velaz Flores.

Martes:

We went with Hermano Trujillo to meet a menos activa named Alicia Jemenez. We only shared a scripture and the rest of the time she was talking about how terrible the world is. We tried to talk about how the church can help us through difficulties and is a refuge from the tragedies of the world, but she was still very bitter. It is hard to see people not see how the church can help them. I hope we can progress later in our visits with her.

Miercoles:

Today was the Conferencia Mundial para los Misioneros. We got to watch a panel of Elder Oaks, Elder Bednar, Elder Anderson, and other General Authorities of the church. The most important concept that I was learning about was listening to the spirit during lessons. I think this is one of my problems as a missionary focusing on what I am going to say next. During the lesson I need to focus first on the spirit, second on the spirit, and then I can focus on what I am going to say next. After the conference we had interviews with president which always help me know what to do next to progress.

Jueves:

Today was awesome. We got to go out to a local to eat for our comida with members. We went to a local and ate alot and drank alot of Coca. After we went to have a lesson with Hermano Trujillo and our investigator Luis. Luis just cant seem to make it to church so Hermano Trujillo started basically chastising him and I was just sitting there thinking "Well there goes our investigator". However, I underestimated Luis. He is one of the most humble people I know. He just sat there and said , "You are right I need to go" At the end of the lesson I felt como divine love for him and I had the opportunity to share my testimony with this special spirit. I dont know it was a very cool experience for me.

Viernes:

Went to have a intrevista in the area of the Hermanas in Universidad. We had it in the Seminary building and it was wierd thinking that I am going to something like that after my mission. Oh and the hermanas are going to have a baptism this next week because their golden investigator was found worthy.

Sabado:

We went with Hermano Velaz Flores to meet one of his friends who was not a member. When we arrived we found out that Pedro has had the entrevista bautismal 5 veces. Pedros faith in the church is very strong and he has a very large family. I hope we can help him overcome his problems or por lo menos we can help his family get baptised. We also found a very interesting biblia jajaja

Domingo:

Luis did not go to the reunion sacramental and I was just sitting there thinking que chafa we are going to have to wait another week to baptise Luis. However, he came to the last hour of church and if he goes to the baptism of the hermanas this week he can be baptised. If you all could pray for Luis that he can get baptised this week that would be great.

I love and pray for you all

Elder Thompson

(Thanks for the cookies Jerrica, and I couldnt help but say to myself "Una Biblia; tenemos una Biblia y no necesitams más Biblia")​

Estoy Cansado

Man being a missionary is harder when you dont have your trainer to fix everything for you. It has been a super awesome and tiring week. This qoute has been a huge help from Elder Robert D Hales, "Each of us must go through certain experiences to become more like our Savior. In the school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not destroy us."

This tuesday Elder Ramirez finished his mission. We had to take him to the mission home and let him start his life again. It was super sad because I loved having two other companions to use for lessons and conversations, but I am happy that Elder Ramirez ended well.

We had a man named Pedro just show up at church last week wanting to know how we worshipped. He did not want us to come to his house, because he was afraid of what his neighbors would think. So we taught him in the church, which was fine by us. I half expected him not to show up, but he did. He looked weighed down with something so we taught el Evangelio de JesuCristo. We were able to teach how repentence can help move out of the past and into the future. Super cool experience, but he does not have a cellphone so he is going to have to contact us again when he wants to have a lesson. Please pray that he contacts us again or goes to church this sunday.

Another cool experience this week was with New investigators. We had along day with alot of citas fell. We decided to pray for some news and the next day we recieved. We went to have a lesson with a member, named Jose. He was talking with his friend and we were able to have a lesson with them both. Also later on that day we went to a tienda to buy some food and the store owner started talking to me in english. We started talking about his life in america and how rough the transistion was back to mexico. Then he started talking about how he met the missionaries before and set a cita with them and they never came. We have a cita with him and he seems like a very prepared investigator. If you could all pray for this investigator named Albero that would be great.

I love you all and hope that you all have a great week

Elder Thompson

Threesome

Lunes:

I went with Elder Ramirez to Plaza Dorada to hang out and wait for our new companero Elder Hernandez. We could not do to much today because of the 6:00 curfew but it was cool to see all the missionaries and friends at the bus stop.

Martes:

One of our recent converts named Wendy finally gave birth to "Zion Valentina (Apiadós)". Super cool to finally see the baby. Their entire family is super happy to have their new addition to the family. Also today's qoute is super cool es de Presidente Gordon B. Hinckley "Sin trabajo arduo, nada va a crecer solo las malas yerbas" I love this quote because it can basically apply to anything. With my area, habits, and investigators. We have to be working hard para obtenener las flores.

Miercoles:

Today we had my first lesson with an abuelita of a family that we always eat with. I kind of know why Elder Clawson and I never went. For some reason older people here love to talk and talk and talk y hablar y platicar y hablar y discursar y hablar un buen. She does not want to get baptised because she is fearful of leaving her childhood religion. At the end of her speech We just said hermana you may have alot of reasons not to be baptised but God has alot more reasons for you to be baptised. Ask him and he will tell you his reasons. And she just sat there silent; the spirit was super powerful. If you could pray for Hermana Lima that she can have the ganas to pray that would be great.

Jueves:

Today ws kind of pointless because we had to spend the day searching for a registro that Elder Clawson miss placed. I thought it was hilarious because the name of the registro was Sherit and my companions had a hard time pronouncing the name. I couldnt stop laughing as I was talking on the phone with our secretary. In the end we never found it, but we bought pity buritos that night.

Viernes:

Day of work Lecciones con Familia Ernandez Ruiz (talked about Elder Nelsons talk on Joy super powerful for todos), Mario y Martha, and Wendy and Rosa

Sabado:

Had our first lección con daniel our taxista. It was good they were receptive all they need to do is pray and receive an answer. Other lessons with Luis, Salvador, y Jose

Domingo:

Luis did not go again so we are going to have to move his fecha again. If you all could pray that Luis can make it to church this week it would be great. He has such a strong testimony and I want to see him baptised. He was however able to go to a Noche de Hogar with us today and I think it was great for him to see how the gospel and families connect.

I love tri-companionships its hillarious to hear everyones jokes and how everyone plays off of eachother. Love you all have a great week. Voy a orar por su exito

Elder Thompson

(Elder Ramirez is the smaller Elder and Elder Hernandez is the other Latino lol,

Elder Slaugh was my roommate in the CCM we are in the same zone for this change)

Trio Change

 

Lunes:

This monday we went to Chili´s and ate good. After lunch at Chili´s we went to learn how to make pan with Luis. We didn't get to do to much because of time. We got what ingredients we need and saw a little bit of how to make them. After that we went and spent some time with Jose. I don't know why but I could not stop laughing as he mimed using a computer and using a fan in a combi. Later that evening we got a text from the president telling us to call him when we got home. I am not going to lie we were freaking out all the way home. When we got home and called him he told us that Elder Clawson was going to be the new zone leader of atlesco and we had emergency changes the very next day. So we were up until 12 trying to pack everything and get everything sorted.

Martes:

I was just showing my new companion Elder Ramirez around our area. Everybody was super welcoming and helpful.

Not much else happened this week we had...

a lesson with Gabriella, who is waiting until her 18 birthday so she can be baptized (Febrero)

We had a Noche de Hogar with Velaz Flores and played Jenga and talked about how it is important to have a strong base of the The Bible, El Libro de Mormón, and the Spirit

We have finished all of the lessons with Luis all we need now is him to go to church one more time and do an intrevista

This monday we had another elder come to our area. We are going to have a Tri companionship Elder Ramirez, Elder Hernandez, y Yo

Also we had some riots here about the raised Gasoline prices. Every day since Miercoles we have had to be in our house at 6:30. It kind of sucks because everybody is working in the morning. However, we have been lucky because our pueblo is tranquilo and we haven't seen any violence. The only trouble we have had is trying to get a transport because none of the combis or cameons don't want to go to the centro

I hope that you all are doing great keep working hard

Elder Thompson

Navidad en Mexico

Lunes:

Today we went to the city center with Elder Gomez and Elder Trendler. We first went to the best panadero in Puebla and got some superbueno pan. Also, it was a good day to go because all of the stalls were open today. I was able to find a cool sweater, carved eagle whistle, and a cool top. That night we had a good lesson with Carmen and her grandaughter, Diana, about the Book of Mormon and getting answers.

Martes:

Today we ended studies earlier to go with an investigator that works in our area. Her name is Elizabeth and she run a superbueno tomale and atole stand. We tried to rekindle her faith and get her to commit to reading the Book of Mormon every day. Later that day we had to go to the area of the Hermanas to do the baptismal interview of their investigator. While Elder Clawson was interviewing her we got to watch Mormon messages on their TV. The Hermana´s investigator is worthy to have her baptism next week.

Miercoles:

Finally had a opportunity to teach Rafa again. We mainly talked about destroying his habit of smoking. We told him to brush his teeth after every meal and we were going to call him everynight (He has not answered our nightly calls yet 26/12). We also went to one of our recent converts named Osmar, who wants to go on his mission. We tried to help him prepare to ask his Dad (not a member). We also had the opportunity to teach the menos activo familia of Salvador y Alma. Elder Clawson shared his testimony and vision of what they could become if they start going to church again. It was super powerful.

Jueves:

We had another lesson with Carmen and Diana today. We started out talking about the Book of Mormon and if they had done their assigned reading. The granddaughter, Diana had and Carmen hadnt. We then asked Diana how she felt during the reading and she said she felt really good. We then asked them both if they would like to be baptised and Carmen went off listing reasons why she could not get baptised, but while she was going of Diana said Sí. We still have to see if Dianas mom will let her get baptised, but we hope she can.

Viernes:

Today we got attacked about Jose Smith. We went to a cita with an old couple and while we were talking their daughter came out to talk or more accurately argue with us. She just basically came out of the gate saying there is nothing in the Bible that says anything of Jose Smith. Nothing from Genesis a Apocalypses. I tried showing her Ezequiel 37:15 a 17 and she just stared at me and said it doesnt convince me. After more arguing we finally shared Santiago 1:5 and said the only way that she could know for herself is if she asked God. We then bore our testimonies and left ending the discussion.

Sabado:

We had a lesson with Arietna today. She has gone to Church 3 times and could get baptised very soon, but we need to teach her all of the lessons first. We talked about the Restoration in the home of a member and extended the baptismal invitation for next week. She is willing to get baptised but she says she needs to talk to her mom first, but we are hopeful that the spirit can help increase her desire to get baptised.

Domingo:

We opened all the presents from the package loved every single one. Thank you mom that was awesome!! Alma and her kids came to church today and they look like they enjoyed themselves. Then we went to Osmar´s house to eat and call my family. It was kind of weird more than anything, but nice to see everyone again.

I love and pray for you all

Elder Thompson

First Blisters on Feet

Thanks you so much for the package everybody. It is so cool all of the stuff that you guys were able to send. Uncle John that is a sick Nacho Libre. I couldnt stop laughing at it and remembering the movie. My companion and I have always joked that that movie is the second most true movie on the world (the first being the first vision of course). We got Luchadors (My favorite name so far is Sexi Maravia), We got Catholics, and We even have his bike/motorcycle/cart thing here. It is hiliarious to see the similarities. Again thank you everybody that contributed to the package!!!

Lunes:

Today was our zone activity. The elders got together super early so we could play soccer with Elder Tehuitzel, who was transfering to a different zone. We played soccer for two hours and got super burnt and super sore. After we played games like charades, king of the chair, and told a story in different accents. My personal favorite was when Elder Cruz had to act like Donald Trump. He ran between hugging my companion (an american) and being angry at Elder Laguna. Later that day we tried to teach a less active Hermana english to help her with her classes. I think we made some good progress.

Martes:

Today almost all of our appointments fell. We walked from pueblo to pueblo trying to get a lesson with somebody and everybody was busy. We had another cita with a member that night to go talk to a less active member and we were meeting at a bus stop. However, when we got there he just started walking towards a pueblo that is about 20 min away by bus. That was a hard walk, luckily we didnt walk all the way to the pueblo. It was the first time I have every had blisters. However, we were able to find the less active member and set a solid apointment with her later on in the week.

Miercoles:

We had interchanges with the zone leaders, Elder Castro and Elder Laguna, today and this was the first time I have been leading were we were going, lessons, and talking with people. All of our citas fell, but we were able to contact alot of people and set new ones. It was good to see where I am at without Elder Clawson alwys there to help me.

Jueves:

Elder Castro took me to a little pueblo in our area that we have never visited before. We got 6 new investigators from that pueblo. One thing that I learned from Elder Castro is that we can always share a little lesson no matter how small the amount of time the investigators have. After we ended interchanges, we went to the ward activity for Christmas. It was supposed to start at 6 but apparently that means start setting up until 7:30. It was amazing to see 3 menos activo members participate in the activity. Jorge Pacheko basically helped with every part of the activity, the familia picaso was a part of the nativity play, and Salvador and Alma, who never show up to anything, came and had a blast.

Viernes:

We were able to have another lesson with our recent convert Georgina. We taught her about the Spirit and it was super powerful to have her husband bear testimony about the power of the Spirit. We were also able to have another lesson with Olga and her family. They are super prepared all they need to do is pray to get an answer and I am sure they will want to be baptised.

Sabado:

We were going to a cita with our Recent Converts Rosa and Wendy and bumped into Aguileo. It is super sad to see him time after time completely drunk. We honestly have no idea how to help him with his problem. We want to have a lesson with him but he is always drunk we come to to teach. Please pray for him and if you have any advice we would be glad to have it.

Domingo:

We finally got one of our investigators to church. Luis has always struggled getting to church, but he was finally able to come. It was amazing to see how welcoming and loving all of the members were towards him. I especially loved our Ward Mission Leader because he went around introducing Luis to everyone, and during class he kept Luis's kids calm and peaceful. I am super grateful for all of our Members. 

Late Night Run

 

Lunes:

After our time to relax on P day, we went to a contact a reference named Olga. She lives in a pueblo named Chautla. In this pueblo everything seems to be at the top of these two hills so we had a great workout that day searching all over for her house. After we finally found her and started talking about why she wanted to talk to us. She wants to find more knowledge about God and know how to help her family better. It is amazing how alike all of us are as children of God. Everyone wishes to know more, help more, and become more. Sadly we one got to teach a short lesson, but we were able to share the Book of Mormon with her and hopefully she will have a desire to learn and pray about it. We had to leave early from the lesson because we had a Family Home Evening that night as well. For some reason we could not flag down a combi that night so we had to run two miles to San Pedro to make it to the Family Home Evening on time. Luckily it was late at night so there were not to many people to shout ¡Corre Gueros!

Martes:

Today we had our first lesson with Ignacio, who we met across the street from some of our other investigators. Ignacio is an ancient catholic man, who likes to talk (Like alot of the people here lol) He is a supér nice guy and funny too. When we could get in a few words we were able to share a quick message about the Book of Mormon. We are hoping to have a full lesson of the Restoration with him next time.

Miercoles:

One of our recent converts, named Wendy, had her baby shower today. We were able to get our Ward Mission leaders family to attend the party as well. It was fun to relax and eat cake and Jello with these members. At the end of the party they sang Happy Birthday to the unborn baby in Español and then we had to sing in English. I dont know if this is a custom here or what but I thought it was funny.

Jueves:

Not much happened today. We had some super great tacos with the Truhillos for lunch. All of our appointments fell so we basically contacted all day.

Viernes:

Today we had another lesson with Mario and Martha. We decided to go back to the basics with them because of their focus in deep doctrine of the Testigos de Jehovah. We read the Visitation of Christ to the Americas to help strengthen their desire to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. The spirit was super strong until Mario drove us of course by talking about the second coming. The conversation turned to discussing what the Book of Revelation meant. Please pray for them to gain a desire to READ and PRAY to know if the Book of Mormon is true. If they do this then all this deep doctrine stuff does not matter.

Sabado:

We had a lesson with Dinorah and Osmar, who were baptised by Elder Clawson and his old companion before I came. We decided to recover the Restoration again to hopefully give her a desire to go to church. She has a very strong testimony of the church so the lesson was very powerful. Something that Elder Clawson has told me is no matter what reading the First Vision will always bring the spirit and know that this is absolutely true.

Domingo:

We were able to attend the Christmas devotional with Dinorah´s son Osmar.

I loved all of the music and especially the talk that Elder Eyrings talk about finding peace during Christmas. Attending the Church Devotional and doing some of the ideas of service from Illumina el Munda have really made me come to apreciate my savior and all that he has sacrificed for me.