Week 71: All things are balanced out in time

Hey everybody,

Hope you all are doing well. This week was a pretty normal week for the most part for us. There was one day that we got to go to Sherwood park, which is about 30 min. east of Edmonton to visit some YSA, and we were supposed to get fed by all of them. So we went to Boston Pizza for lunch around 1 because clearly we weren't thinking, then ate a big lunch at 3 with a Less active, and then at 5 we were supposed to eat again. So we said a prayer that we would be able to get it down, do what we had to do, and they ended up cancelling because they forgot. so that was a tender mercy. And this week we aren't getting fed near as much, so all things just kinda balance out in the YSA :)

I also had the opportunity this week to do a baptismal Interview for the Mandarin elders, which was a really cool experience. I got to go through all the questions while he had an interpreter there, so it was different, that's for sure. It was cool to be able to see the desire that he had to come closer to our Saviour through baptism, even though it was in a completely different language. 

We had a Social Media Fireside last night for all the members in the Edmonton area in preparation for the Book of Mormon Musical coming. We will also have members following us around all day next Saturday chronicling our day taking pictures and uploading them to social media, so we are pretty excited about it. It should bring a lot of interest to the church. Good or bad, maybe it will get people interested in talking to us.

Quote of the week is from Benjamin Franklin "Anger is never without reason, but seldom a good one."

Scripture of the week is Alma 44:4 " 4 Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith."

Have a great week

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Zone Conference

Mission Leadership Council

Week 72: Missionaries are really just US spies

Hello everybody, I hope you all have been doing good. Our week was pretty busy which is always good. So Saturday was the Social Media split day which was pretty weird, not going to lie, having people follow you around all day taking pictures. at least they were friendly stalkers eh? But it was good. It was actually really nice having members with you at every appointment instead of only a couple during the week. That made a huge difference in the Less Active lessons. 

So there was kinda a funny experience. We got a different car on Monday and the following day, it was so cold that the doors were frozen shut (pretty common) and then they wouldn't close! so we had to pull them hard and then hit the lock button. And it was only -20. I'm worried what will happen when it does get really cold. 

We went on Exchanges out to Lloydminster this week which covers part of Saskatchewan, so that was cool. We blitzed the area, so instead of one of us staying in our own area and the other going to their area, we both went to their area. One of the elders was sick, so we alternated who stayed in the apartment with him, so that was pretty boring! But it was still good. One crazy experience from the exchange. dinner was with an older couple and the man was real sick, like diaper worthy sick. so he wasn't there for the whole dinner, but near the end he came out and talked with us, then he stood up and uh oh! he was off. it smelled real bad. just thought I would let you all have a little taste of the experience with me :) 

We met a crazy Sikh man this week on the LRT. He claimed that all missionaries were from Utah (which is almost true) and that we were all spies sent by Clinton to find out Canada's secrets.

Quote of the week is from Ward Coordination meeting. We were talking about funny asian experiences with the Mandarin elders, so our ward mission leader brought up an experience of an asian that was talking about the elections and they asked (this is with the asian accent) "when was your last erection?" haha gotta love the YSA ward.

Scripture of the week is Matthew 10:6 

"6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." I came across this in my studies this week and realized that some of the most important work either missionaries or members will do, is work from the inside out. Strengthening the ward will ultimately produce missionary opportunities that will lead to conversion. 

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Week 65: Facebook!

Hola,

Not a whole lot to write about this week, because I was sick, so really all I was focused on was waiting until the next time I could take DayQuil. But regardless, it was still a pretty good week. We had things to do every day, so I couldnt stay in waiting to die so that kinda sucked, but was kinda nice at the same time.

One of those things was our Zone Training Meeting which was ok, because we got the word to begin Facebook proselyting! Not going to lie, its been pretty weird. The first time my comp and I logged in (we have both been out for 15 months) we felt so disobedient. But I guess thats how the APs felt too and president manion just told them to get over it. so we have been doing the same haha. So they told us we could just deactivate our old accounts and make new ones, so we did. then they talked to Salt Lake and they said that was against facebook policy and we had to delete it. So if anybody was wondering, the old one is deleted and I've got a new one. I can't chat with y'all on there, but feel free to keep emailing me and we can talk on Mondays. It's been really cool to see the work progress even in the few days of having internet proselyting and we truly have been blessed with the advanced technology these days to share the gospel with all the world. Sure there is bad stuff, and lots of it, but the good that we can do with it far outweighs it.

Quote of the week comes from yesterday. We were eating lunch with a less active family and we got on the topic of basketball. So Elder Winnie told them to guess my favorite team and gave them the hint "it's the devils team" (he's a jazz fan, so...) so they guessed 5 teams before he just gave in and told them. Sad day for him haha, not everybody hates the Lakers :)

Scripture of the week is Genesis 39:9

 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Joseph was an honorable man and knew the commandments of God, as we do. When temptation hit him right in the face and there was no side stepping it, he made a stand and stuck by that decision and he was eventually made a ruler and 2nd in command in all the land of Egypt because of his stand against immorality. As we follow his example, we too will be able to receive the blessings that God has in store for us.

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Week 70: I Guess I Got a bit excited

So yes I am only at week 70. not sure where the jump came from a couple weeks ago

This week was good. it went by fast which is always good. So first off, I forgot to include some things from last week that are notable to mention. There was a crazy drunk native guy that walked into our church building. he wreaked of alcoholic beverages and smoke and wanted to join us. we told him that church started in 30 mins so he just stood in the same spot for about 10 mins with a blank stare on his face, then got down into the Tebow position and started praying in some language that definitely wasnt english. then he got up and walked out and we havent seen him since.

It has been a great experience to work with all kinds of people and missionaries in the YSA and zone. Most of the people we work with arent fully there, so it has been cool to work with people of all crazies.

We went on exchanges this week which were fun. The elder I went with spent the majority of our time quoting spongebob sounding like all of spongebob, patrick and squidward. and talking about video games. so i am definitely more knowledgeable in that category now than ever! But he is a great missionary and I think it's cool how you can have such a crazy personality lacking all manner of social skills and still be an amazing missionary. I am glad I got to experience that. I needed it. 

We also got to meet with one of our Less Actives who is from Vietnam who had a big concern with the 144,00 mentioned in the bible(she was previously a JW) so we went into that lesson super bold and the spirit took over and resolved that concern real quick.

Scripture of the week is Alma 34:36

" 36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in ^aunholy temples, but in the ^bhearts of the^crighteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the^dblood of the Lamb."

What will you do more this week to keep the spirit with you?

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Week 69: California Traffic?

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been pretty good. It was a bit slow and there was not a whole lot of excitement but it was still a good week.It has been interesting trying to learn the area as fast as i can, but it is coming along slowly.There are lots of great people here and hopefully we can get the work progressing here quickly.

Zone Conference was Tuesday and President and Sister Manion gave a great training on consecration and serving with all of our heart. We then gave a training on Internet proselyting and goal setting. It was a really great meeting and hopefully everyone came out of it feeling motivated to do a little bit better and to work a bit harder. Im grateful for all the trainings i have received and will receive that have and  will shape me into a better person, and motivate me to work harder.

The most exciting experience of the week was Thursday when we had a decent sized snow storm. We got to shovel lots, but the best part of the day was when we were stuck in traffic for 2 hours. We were only going 4 blocks... we were moving so slow that occasionally Elder Monks would have to get out and scrape off the windshield while walking along side the car. Fun times. Reminded me of some nights back home coming back from an Angels game.

We got to teach our investigator Bissrat this week. He is from Ethiopia and understands things really well. We were able to teach him the Word of Wisdom as well as the Law of Chastity this week, and he took it really well. Hopefully he can receive and answer about baptism and decide he wants to follow Jesus Christ.

Scripture of the week is Moroni 7:47-48

"47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love "

As develop charity towards all mankind, it will be well with us at the last day, and life will be so much more enjoyable!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Week 68: Love the City

Hola,

Hope everybody s weeks was great! Our week was super busy. Lots of meetings and what not as a zone leader in the beginning of the month, so I'm super tired. But it has been fun. Nothing too crazy has happened in the zone yet, and we have really good missionaries in our zone so I'm not too worried. Our Zone overs about half of the Bonnie Doon stake and it goes all the way out to part of  Saskatchewan.

So my area is pretty big. we cover from the heart of Edmonton all the way to the east side of Sherwood Park. Not as big as an outlining area, but its a good size for the city. We cover the entire Bonnie Doon stake since we are YSA. Our apartment is down town in a high rise and we are on the 12 floor and it is basically the celestial apartment of the mission. We have a really nice gym in our apartment along with 2 washrooms and covered parking. We share it with 2 other missionaries, so it has been really fun. My first day here we got rear ended by some guy that wasn't paying attention, but thankfully there wasn't too much damage to the car. And something that really clicked this week for me, is the great dislike I have for cats. I just think they are super gross, and it's usually really dirty people that have cats. usually.

My companion is Elder Monks. He is from Mesa Arizona and he has been out for 20 months so hopefully I get to kill him off. he loves dirt bike racing, and I guess he is really good. He is a great guy and I love his sense of humor! We are going to have a great time together.

Scripture of the week is Ephesians 4:32 " 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you." Why should we be exempt from forgiving when God forgives us way more than we will ever forgive anybody who does any wrong to us. No matter the circumstances, we should always forgive everybody so we don't have to hold a grudge, because that's really not all that fun at all.

Have a great week!

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

Week 67: Transfer Calls!

So transfer calls were today, and we got one, which is good because I packed about half way last night. I am going to serve in the Mill Creek YSA as a Zone Leader! My companion is going to be Elder Monks, and i have only heard good things about him, so I am super excited! 

We had a pretty great week that was filled with short sleeves and great weather. It was consistently +5 all week so it felt super good. But I have a feeling that February will be a pretty rough month, but we will see. We had some exciting experiences this week with tracting in the freezing rain. That was fun. We pulled out our dance moves we didn't even know we had as we were slipping everywhere! but neither of us went down, sure we wobbled a bit, but we did not go down!  We got in some good service this week as well with chipping ice off a coupe of drive ways. I should have taken a pic, but the ice was a solid 6 inches. But service always makes you feel great afterwards no matter what it is.

We had our open house for our chapel this past weekend and it was a success. In total, over 220 people went through and about 170 of them were non members so that was amazing. We are really excited about the potential of this area even though I am leaving. We had the dedication for the building last night which was also a cool experience. it was the first one I have been to (or at least the first I paid any attention to) the spirit was super strong there and the work will for sure hasten here in Beaumont.

Quote of the week is from Joseph Smith, talking to people who said they wouldn't persecute the church if they were to ever go away from it. "you don’t know what you would do. No doubt these men once thought as you do. Before you joined this Church you stood on neutral ground. … When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can get back on to it. Should you forsake the Master you enlisted to serve, it will be by the instigation of the evil one, and you will follow his dictation and be his servant’”

Scripture of the week is Alma 5:49 " 49 And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.

Pretty self explanatory. I'm grateful for the time I have had to serve in Beaumont, to learn the things I have learned, and to meet the people I

have met. I know that the work here will hasten and that the people who accept our glad message will be blessed. I'm excited for what the future has in store for me.

Keep it real,

Elder W.Chad Thompson

One of the great families in the Beaumont ward. We always had a great time over here. The rest of the pictures will come next week. we took this one yesterday just in case since they are going on a 3 week vacation