Paradise City

 

I don't think my idea of a paradise city quite matches up with that of Guns N' Roses. Although I'm sure the grass will be green and we'll all be pretty. Mine is much more like being in the presence of the Lord, surrounded by all of the people I love, enjoying peace and harmony with one another.

 

I got to experience a little bit of that here on Earth when I went to the temple with my zone on Thursday. It was an amazing spiritual experience that I won't soon forget. I was so grateful to have the opportunity to be in the Lord's house for a long while, and rest from my worldly cares and concerns as I focused on coming closer to Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. It was awesome to be around so many great missionaries that helped the Spirit be felt where we were at and at the same time to feel like I was having a one on one experience with God. I will forever be grateful for the feelings of hope, courage, support, and strength that I gained from my temple experience.

 

General Conference was also a great weekend experience that will help not only me and my fellow full-time missionaries, but everyone to focus on the blessings of covenants and building our faith as we strive to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. As a little funny side note, I ended up having to eat 4 square meals from members on Sunday because our scheduling and communication was a bit off. It was not deliciously amazing and enjoyable as it sounds. Also, shout out to my good buddy Elder Madsen, who's got struggles on the complete opposite of the spectrum, going without water and plumbing for long periods in Brazil. I think my problems are just a teeny tiny tad bit more manageable. General Conference definitely helped me capitalize on the feelings I had at the temple and apply them to things I heard and learned and will help me do missionary work a bit differently and hopefully more effectively. Also Rexburg North Temple is gonna be super awesome, I'm so excited there's gonna be another one near BYU-I for me and my friends and family to hopefully attend in the future.

 

Our friend and recent convert Ken scared us earlier this week. As we were headed from his room in his group home out to the main living room, he tried getting out of his seat to grab his bedsheets to make the bed and he fell on the ground! From our inexperienced Eagle Scout assessment, we could tell he wasn't bleeding and no bones were sticking out or outta place, so we told him he was fine and helped him back in his chair. However, his old stubborn man assessment said he needed x-rays and immediate medical attention, so he casually and calmly dialed 911 as we tried talking to him about General Conference. An ambulance came and picked him up, an event that seemed all too normal and common for him and was way too embarrassing for us. No surprise to us, he was released the next day and back home safe and sound, feeling just a little tired and sore. He's doing alright and is still super excited for the temple as well as receiving a Patriarchal Blessing.

 

One last thing of note, Elder Wiley and I discovered that the keyboard in our closet actually does have a battery and works properly, so I've been messing around with it the last week or two. With the electronic beats and samples of the keyboard, a newly cleaned and repaired guitar, and a little bit of vocal and singing practice,  I'm on my way to have created the next big sci-fi pop rock 80's love ballad of the 21st century by the end of my mission.

 

This week overall has been such a blessing, especially after the slow week I had l had last, and I know it's been an answer to my prayers. I know that as we continually ask for blessings, and act on opportunities to produce those blessings for ourselves and others, we can look back and count our many blessings and see that they are numbered even greater than before.

 

-Elder Thompson

 

P.S. Some of the pictures don't need any stories or explanation for them to be enjoyed, I'm sure I'll share some of those stories later on. There should also hopefully be more temple pics coming soon.