Tuesday, April 11, 2023

One Day Remains 4/11/2023

 I've got one last day to be in Houston. I've also gotta summarize my last transfer in one email so let's see what happens. Actually, I'll probably be sending this out hopefully once I've landed in Salt Lake City.

 

This transfer was absolutely crazy, filled with so many ups and downs. We started off as a district re-evaluating our teaching pools and deciding who was progressing and who to drop. Elder Biggs and I decided to drop practically everyone and leave room for more people to find, teach, and baptize. We did a whole lot of contacting and finding to hopefully get the ball rolling again in the area. 

 

We've had some amazing times with members, going to a ward rodeo potluck, FHE, and other things.

 

We had a lot of fun as a district. We did a lot of service at Grace Episcopal and got a tour of the chapel from Mother Suzanne. We played a lot of soccer and card games as well and went to some good food spots like DairyLand and Kelley's Country Cookin'. For my "last" pday, I went to the Natural Science Museum in Houston. It was pretty fun, they had a lot of cool fossils and a limited-time King Tut exhibit.

 

I went on exchanges a couple times to the Spanish area, getting to help teach English, doing service, and finding Spanish people. We also met some people partying that offered us tacos and some members that fed us as well. Four days in a row I either bought pupusas or had a member get them for us. 

 

Our greatest success/miracle was Greg, a referral we got who we put on date our first lesson. Sadly, he's still dealing with a smoking habit so his baptism was canceled but I have faith in him accepting a date to get yoked and connected with Christ. 

 

Overall, we've made a huge turnaround here in Alvin. Last transfer we were struggling a bit to find faith and motivation to go out and see success, and this transfer we've put forth our feet with faith and seen the fruits of our labors. All of the companionships have at least seen people commit to be baptize and the Spanish Elders even baptized someone. It's been a great transfer to end on with so much joy and happiness with all the amazing these we've seen happen.

 

I'm sure I've missed a few things that've happened this transfer, but luckily I'm gonna be home soon so y'all can just talk to me and ask me all about it. I also probably won't be able to fit in all my photos either.

 

It's crazy that my full-time missionary experience is coming to a close. It seems like only yesterday I arrived at the Houston airport, confused why we had such a massive transfer group and why I started sweating bullets as soon as we stepped outside. I've made so many awesome friends, seen some fun and cool things, had some crazy experiences, but above all have been able to share Jesus Christ with others and seen some miracles in the lives of others. There's no other time or place I've seen lives change, including my own, and have felt so connected to those I've taught and helped bring into the light of Christ. It's such a wonderful and unique opportunity and experience that I'll always be grateful for and never forget. I've cared so much about everyone and everything here I hate to have to leave it behind. 

 

I know that we have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth. I know that there is no other way to come unto Christ save it be by baptism by one with proper authority. I know that the Book of Mormon and Bible are the word of God and help us know the fullness of the truth. I know we've been given modern-day prophets to lead us and guide us to know the fullness of the truth. I know Joseph Smith saw Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, and he helped bring the fullness of the gospel back to the earth. I'm grateful for everything I've done, everything I've seen, everyone I've met, and everything I've felt during my opportunity to represent and serve Jesus Christ, and I say these things in His name, Jesus Christ, amen.

 

-Elder Thompson





 








 






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