Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone, i hope this finds yall doing well, and that you all have a good christmas wherever you might be. Our week was pretty good, it was a very Christmassy week, which was awesome! we had our Christmas conference which was held in the eastern part of Edmonton, and it was amazing! The spirit was so strong there it was great. There was lots of music and we got to watch Meet the Mormons, which was pretty cool. And we ended with a testimony meeting where President Manion called a few Elders and Sisters up. It was one of the best zone conferences i have been too. We also had our ward Christmas program, and it was the first meeting in our brand new building! it was awesome! we packed about 265 people into the main chapel, and didnt have to open up the curtain door things because it is so big. it was awesome! There were even two people that came in off the street at the end of the meeting that said they would come back. So with lots of music about Christmas and meeting in the new building and what not, church was awesome yesterday!

We also got to teach the Plan of Salvation this past week to an investigator. it was a great lesson and it reinforced our testimonies of it. It brings a lot of joy into our lives and truly is a plan of happiness.

quote of the week comes from a referral that we taught and showed the He is the Gift video too. at the end she said "wow, that was powerful"

scripture of the week is a short one that comes from my personal study this morning, that applies to all, no matter what circumstance youre in or anything. Jacob 6:12 "O be wise; what can i say more?" That could be a motto for life. Just be wise and actually think before you do something. This is a great scripture that has grown to be one of my favorites because of the power and wisdom packed into a 8 word verse.

have a great Christmas and remember the true meaning of the Season!

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Week 62: Hockey, Vegans, and Tracting

Hello everybody, hope all is going well for ya.
 This week was pretty good, and we experienced a lot of different things this week. We played Hockey last week which was a lot of fun, and we went tracting. a lot. But it's all good, because that is where all the crazy stories come from. unfortunately, there wasn't anything too crazy that came of it this week. And we also ate with a Vegan couple this week. That was an experience.

We also got to do lots of service this weekend. We got to serve the seniors of Beaumont a Christmas brunch at the library. That was fun. people were jumping up and down off the tables and there were broken hips everywhere. Just kidding, that would have been cool though. But it was great to serve them and have fun with them. At the end there was a youth choir composed of like 40 10 year old girls and 2 boys that sang Christmas hymns. so it was a lot of fun. We also helped out a Christmas elves organization which basically gives Christmas to families that just can't make it happen, so it was a great experience.

One quote of the week comes from tracting. We knock on the door and we hear "Oh my Go(sh) its the Mormons." He then opens the door and says hey, you Mormons" it should be noted that he was wearing a skeleton costume with kid makeup on his face...

The other quote is from Elder Holland's talk "Remember Lots Wife"- "The past is to be learned from, but not lived in."

Scripture of the week is 2 Nephi 33: 10-15 which is probably one of my favorite set of scripts
"10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day 13 And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen."

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Week 61: Hockey Hosers! and 14 Months ...

Today we are going to play hockey! Well maybe, I might just be using the stick to be able to stay up... but it should be fun! I just need to go curling to complete the Hosing process. I can't believe it will be 14 months tomorrow since we came out, seems like maybe half of that. So this past week was pretty good. we were able to keep busy and went hard with passing out the He is the Gift cards, and this week will do even better with that, and hopefully something will come of it!

This week we got to help clean our new church building in preparation for its opening, which will hopefully be this upcoming sunday. It's definitely the nicest building I have been in and its going to be great to bring investigators too! Plus we are really excited to play basketball on the new hard wood floor!

We also got to go on exchanges this week and I went with an elder that is going home after this week because he has reached the ripe old age of 2 years. so I picked his brain and asked him what his biggest advice was and we talked about charity. And I completely agree with him. Charity is something that makes the world go because it is literally the Love of God, the strongest love that one can ever have. As we seek to develop charity and ask in prayer for that gift, God will begin to bless us with it and we will begin to see everybody as they truly are, sons and daughters of our heavenly father. Charity is especially important on the mission too, it just makes it so much better! We should all seek to develop it!

We also got to teach the Plan of Salvation this past week. Just take a minute and think about how blessed we are to have the knowledge that we do. Like life would literally suck and be hopeless and without point without it. Its great to be able to know what our purpose is in life and to know what will happen after this life.

Scripture of the week is 1 John 4:7-9. Go and read it! it goes along with the Christmas season. God gave us his only begotten son so that would have the opportunity to live with him again. Its been great privilege to share the christmas message with everyone we talk too.

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Snow!

So this week was a whole lot better than last week in terms of work wise. We finally were able to pick up two people to teach that we have been working on for awhile and both are awesome and have so much potential! I also had one of the longest days since I've been out, I can only think of one that seemed longer, and it was pretty rough. But it was amazing how much faster the next day went as we changed some things up and taught a couple of people. It's great to see the work of the Lord in softening peoples hearts here in Beaumont and helping us find those that are ready to hear the message that we have to share.

It also snowed this week! It was only the second time it has really snowed this fall, so that was awesome! We got to go around to a lot of different people and help shovel their drive ways and side walks!

Quote of the week comes from a black guy from Jamaica that we tracted into. We were talking about the Plan of Salvation and he tells his friend that was in there with him "I am not a monkey, I am not a monkey man! I am a human being!" haha it was great especially with his Jamaican accent.

Scripture of the week is 2 Nephi 4:32-35

" 32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, becausethat my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thounot shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walkin the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

 33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thyrighteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escapebefore mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me!Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thouwouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, butthe ways of mine enemy.

 34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. Iwill not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed ishe that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he thatputteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

 35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea,my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up myvoice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of myrighteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee,my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

​Keep it real,

​

Elder W.Chad Thompson

​

Sketchy Ladder

Snow removers

Snow removers

Posing with Frosty

Week 58: That Canadian Life

You know you're becoming a Canadian when you have to roll down the windows of the car at -10(about 14 degrees, 18 below freezing) in the morning. happened to us today and I'm not sure whether to laugh or to cry... but other than that our week was pretty interesting and somewhat uneventful. We saw the Northern lights again, although this time they were right above Edmonton from our angle so my camera couldn't pick them up. We also did service for this lady who had us build a shelf and a TV stand that took forever, but she wants to take the discussions and come to church once the new one in Beaumont opens up! So that was a positive experience! I was also challenged to a state/province-capital challenge from a member. so we had to name the provinces and capitals and they had to do the states( because they thought we didn't know anything) and we won! so now they are buying me an American flag for the apartment!

I also gained a lot of respect for seminary teachers this week, because we got to teach seminary for 3 days! First day was all right, second day was awful, everyone was dead and basically not paying attention(so probably a lot like me when I was in seminary) so the third and last day, we bought them timbits (basically donut holes) and we went in with fake mustaches and played Jeopardy. That turned out a lot better! But it was a lot of fun!

quote of the week is from Brigham Young "If you can find a truth in heaven, earth, or hell, it belongs to our doctrine. We believe it; it is ours; we claim it."

Scripture of the week comes from 2 Corinthians 13:11 

" 11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

As we strive to be perfect and keep the commandments, be unified so that there is no contention among us, therefore living in peace, God will be with us always, as will the spirit as we go through this mortal journey.

Keep it real,

BNT

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Sunrise from our apartment

Week 57: The Streak is Over

Well, I made it about 4 days shy of 13 months not having a Utah companion, but that streak is now over. Elder Winnie is from Sandy Utah, so right in the heart of it! We came out together so it' s been pretty fun. He loves sports, so just from that you know that we get along really well. Hopefully we can get the work in Beaumont back on its feet now.

So it finally snowed more than a centimeter this week and winter hit just like that! It was +10 the day before, and when we woke up, it was -10 with a couple of inches of snow on the ground. So we have been able to do lots of snow removal service. I also got to drive in it for the first time (due to the fact that I was in a walking area for the entirety of last winter) and it was so fun! Kinda sketchy but fun. It's now been a couple of days and I haven't even crashed yet. And I won't, because that would really suck.

Transfer meeting was super funny and interesting. Of course Elder Leyerle was going home, so he got to give his departing testimony and it was everything I had hoped and dreamed for. It started with "sister .... you look fine!" The whole place erupted in laughter and he turned super red and explained thats not what he meant, but it was super funny. He then proceeded to give his testimony and threw in some hallelujahs and praise the Lord. I"m gonna miss his evangelical spirit!

Scripture of the week is 1 Nephi 17:13 " 13 And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led."

as well as 1 Cor. 15:55-58 "55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

As we keep the commandments of god, and follow the living day prophets, we will be led during our life on earth and we won't need to worry about death having sting, or grave getting the victory because we will know without a doubt that Jesus is the Christ and through him we have the victory.

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Week 56 Transfers

Well, transfer calls were today and there is going to be a bit of a shake up in Beaumont. Obviously Elder Leyerle is going home, but Elder Majdali is leaving as well. I am staying and getting Elder Winnie who actually came out with me, so that should be fun. President Manion also asked me to serve as District Leader, so that's different too. I'm just happy I don't have to deal with sisters in my district!! As President Manion says, they are a gongshow!

Halloween was fun this week. We were only able to proselyte until 6 pm, so we went over to a members home for the rest of the night and helped them pass out candy and played Canadian Monopoly haha. its pretty weird, but its still pretty fun!

Fast sunday was good as well, as it always is. Filled with awkward pauses and some false doctrine, it was just a regular fast sunday! it is definitely my least favorite time to take inv. to church because you never know what is going to be said. But at the same time, it can also be super great, so you just have to take it as it is i guess.

Something we have been working on lately is making an extra effort to help members do missionary work and try and help them see what they can do. Hopefully it starts paying off soon, because that would be nice. But we are going to make a bunch of cookies (or at least attempt) and take them to the Ward Council and other members to try to increase the referalls they give. 

Quote of the week comes from Elder Pratt who is in the ward we are in right now and is serving with his wife in the mission office. At church he said "Chivalry is tricking women to be pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen. I can say that because my wife isn't here right now. But the next time you see me I

With the only Filipino family in our area

Last night of the tripanionship

Mounties still dress this way!

might have a lot of bruises!" haha it was great!

Scripture of the week is 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward allmen. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings.  21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Just a great set of scripts! But I like 21 where we need to prove all things, or in other words test all things and hold on to the things that are best for our eternal well being and abstain from all appearance of evil.

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Week 55: Let it Snow

Let it snow, the phrase that every normal Canadian absolutely despises. But the white stuff started yesterday and will most likely be there for the rest of winter. Should be fun! Not much happened this week. We had all of our appointments cancel for various reasons, but we were able to do lots of service, so that was fun. We have been helping a non member build a pond in her front yard which has been great. She owns an ice cream shop so we have been getting free ice cream! And we met this absolutely off his rocker East Indian who talked to us for about 30 min as we were tracting. He said that he was going to give us the lesson, not the other way around. It took everything in us not to laugh the entire time. But as crazy as he was he called out Elder Leyerle and guessed his birthday, right on the dot, haha he was so shocked for the rest of the day. Fun stuff that we get to encounter here in Beaumont. 

I also gained an extreme dislike for a phrase that lots of people use to rationalize disobedience. "Oh I don't care, i go home in xx days. The planes not coming any faster!" i really hate it. its too bad to see missionaries who get super lazy and disobedient at the end of their missions. But I guess, these are the types of things to learn from and not the make the same mistakes. Every time I even think of rationalizing something, this past week especially, I get the thought, "Do you want your wife to be fat?" I thought it was pretty funny when I recognized it, and appropriate or not, it works! so I'll run with it.

Scripture of the week is Mormon 9:7-11,18-19,20. I won't put in all of it, but it's great stuff.

9 For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.

18 And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.

19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

God is a God of Miracles and works according to our faith. As we are dilligent  in keeping the commandments of God and have the faith, we will see all the many miracles wrought by God, whether big or small.

Have a great week

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

The only thing good about this picture, is there is barely any snow on the ground. for now...​

I wonder which holiday is their favorite?