Thunderstruck 10/11/2021

 Thuderstorms here get MASSIVE. They can last throughout the week and they keep things very interesting. We woke up to an insanely loud boom at about 5:20 this morning and for the next half hour I was occasionally woken up by bright flashes of lightning in the sky. I swear Zeus was seeking revenge on the one who stole his master bolt. (Props to you if you can catch what I'm tryna reference)

This week has been really great for me. We had lesson pass-offs, which was the opportunity for the missionaries in my transfer to teach to other trainers certain lessons and answer curtains questions that are frequently brought up. I had the unique and very daunting task of teaching my mission president, President Richards and one of our Aps, Elder Barrett, all alone. When it was all said and done, I surely made mistakes in my teaching, but since i messed up in front of some of the best missionaries, they gave me great advice and tips on how to effectively teach others.

As a zone, we decided to sanctify ourselves and prepare for Saturday, which was the day we were determined to witness and perform miracles. Our companionship finally got to see some members join our lessons and we also found more people than the goal we had set for ourselves. It was a blessing as we put more faith in Christ and allowed Him to help us see the good around us and experience miracles in our missionary work.

One thing I've been extra grateful for is all the responses I've seen to my social media posts and how wonderful it is to see others invite Christ into their lives. We ended our mission-wide fast from Facebook this week and I've already seen the benefit of learning how to use it to more benefit us and our work centered on our missionary purpose.

I'm so grateful for how close I've been able to grow to Christ and the opportunity I've had to help others to do the same. I'm so excited to continue to serve and teach others for the next couple of years.

-Elder Thompson

Elder Thompson Facebook Post 10/9/2021

 We all are here on the Earth to experience trials and hardships. As we go through difficult experiences, we can always remember to turn toward Christ for guidance and help.

This video was sent to me by my father when I was going through a rough time in my life and didn't know where exactly to go for guidance. He helped me understand through this story and his own testimony that we are all put on this Earth to face challenges, but we are also here to overcome them and become stronger and greater. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for each and everyone of us, and Christ is always there to guide us and walk beside us through the turmoil so that we may become perfected through Him.

What ways have you been able to turn toward Christ in the midst of trials? How have you seen Christ's help on your own life's journey?

#allthingstestifyofChrist

Video Shared:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—Inspiration

February 23  · 

When an experienced runner decides to train for a 100-mile ultramarathon in a hostile desert, he must face the daunting task of doing something that seems impossible.

Like the runner, we on earth must face our own great adventures, traversing a seemingly endless array of life’s peaks and valleys, in our journey back to God. But as we do so, pushing through the darkest trials and obstacles, we gain perspective about why we are here and how to ultimately succeed.

In his 2019 general conference address “Your Great Adventure,” (https://bit.ly/3avDWrc) Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf explains that as “you stay on the path and trust in God, you will eventually find the way to your glorious destiny and back to your heavenly home.”

Elder Thompson Facebook post Oct 8, 2021

 Alma 26:3 Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.

2 Nephi 22:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

Music has been such an important part of my life. Listening to and playing music are some of my favorite activities. Singing and playing hymns are a great way to feel the Spirit and testify of Jesus Christ. These two Book of Mormon scriptures testify of the ability we each have to share the marvelous light of Christ with others. We can each be made instruments in the hands of God to bring about wonderful and mighty miracles. Like musical instruments, we can share a song with others, we need be in tune to able to ring out melodies for others to hear. As we are in tune with Christ and His gospel, we will be able to play a wonderful song, which is our testimony of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.

What ways have you been able to share your testimony of Christ with others? What have you done to be in tune with Christ and His Gospel? How have you been made an instrument in the hands of God?

#allthingstestifyofChrist