The Call 2015
Mission Prep !
July 12, 2015
Fare Well, Parker!
July 15, 2015
Provo MTC
Quick Update First Days
Date: July 17, 2015
Area: Provo MTC
Friday, July 17, 2015 11:45 AM, Parker Thompson wrote:
They just gave us a quick second to write to our families to let you guys know that I'm here and I'm all good and I'm breathing basically! Our P-days our on Thursdays and they didn't let us write yesterday so they gave a a quick 5 minutes to say hi to you guys. So, just letting you know that I'm here, doing good, it's crazy hard and crazy busy. Malay is sick. My companion is great, he is Elder Bloem (Pronounced Bloom) and were learning the language at a way fast rate! Love you guys! Send me an email next week with what happened and what's happening and as questions if you have 'em! Jumpa lagi keluarga!
"I'm still Alive!"..."1st Week...Total Immersion"
Date: July 23, 2015
Area: Provo MTC until Singapore Aug26 Companion: Elder Ngatikara, then Elder Bloem
Apa khabar!? (What's up!?) It's been a little over a week here at the MTC and it's nuts! The second I got here it was just insane madness and you have no idea what's going on! Jacob "Chunkle" (Kunkel) haha picked me up and that was way cool to immediately be brought in by my friend. The first day I saw Elder Broman (who is rooming right next to me....awesome) and I saw Elder Cahoon, Elder Bakker, Elder Young, Sister Lilinquist, Elder Rasmussen, and I see those guys every day pretty much! I've also seen Elder Schaefer, Elder Whitworth, Sister Kilpack and Sister Bain who I see a lot, really cool. Cool to see everyone! My first temporary Elder was Elder Ngatikara because my assigned Elder hadn't shown up yet. Then my companion showed up, Elder Bloem, awesome elder. My room has 6 elders and it's so much fun, I've never laughed more in my laugh haha. We're all way tight and my district is way tight also. Love all those guys!
PS: Note inserted from side letter to: "Mom and Dad,"
First day was as I had been told... total immersion. I had no idea what was going on and that goes for the next days after but they made us teach by Saturday so I already know how to get to know someone and pray and bear testimony and a lot of other things. It is insane how fast we're learning! We teach from the Kitab Mormon a lot and the investigators can feel the spirit when we testify. The classroom study is intense but you learn so fast, it's exhausting but exhilarating.
Tyler Cahoon told me the day of my farewell to just make it until Sunday and man he was right. I got so bogged down the first couple days and then Sunday was the best. It was just a spiritual and relaxing day and there was a lot of music. There is such a strong spirit when you sing alongside 2000 other missionaries in a devotional some of my favorite hymns and songs...powerful and it lifted me up. In sacrament an Elder talked about how our families will be blessed way more without us there than they would with us there and our branch president testified to that also....that is true I know it. Sunday was so sick. Oh yeah I joined the choir...(WHAT? Parker? Singing??? I know haha)
The rest of the week I kept Sunday's momentum and Tuesday night we performed Praise to the Man in the Tuesday devotional, my favorite hymn pretty much, and it was awesome! All week has been hard and long but it is fun and engaging and I love it here, I'm getting more excited about serving then ever and I'm only once week in!
Sorry it's short I'm way slow at typing and we have to go fast!
Saya menyanyangi kamu! (I love you guys)
Elder Thompson
PS: Note inserted from side letter to: "Mom and Dad,"
I'm way short on time so I got to go fast! My companion is from Maryland, he is Asian, he did one year of College at Berkeley in Cali. So way smart and he pushes me so it's great. My typical day looks like wake up at 6:30 and 4 hour block classes broken up with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and 45 min of gym. Busy days! 6 person dorms so way fun. Sorry it's short but I have no time literally, I love you guys!
Love you guys!
2 Weeks & 5 Slices of Apple Pie!
Date: July 30, 2015
Area: Provo MTC until Singapore Aug26 Companion: Elder Bloem
Apa khapar kawan-kawan dan keluarga!? Another week down in the books and the time is beginning to pick up. I'm getting into the routine and loving it and the days are long but the week flew by.
So normally people look forward to the weekend right? Not the case with this Elder, on Fridays and Saturdays we have full days of classes that drag forever, but Sundays come and save the day. ThenMonday through Thursday it's really split up and I love every minute of it!
They served apple pie for dinner one night, and for those who know me my goal is to not gain any weight in the MTC, which is near to impossible for anyone going to the Provo MTC. Needless to say I've lost like a couple pounds so far, but the night they served apple pie...consider that progress done for, I gained every pound back because I ate like 5 slices. It's my weakness I swear..
Sunday came and that was awesome again! They do movies on Sunday nights and my companion and I went to see Jeffery R Holland's talk 'Missions are Forever' and that was way cool! We sang 'A Child's Prayer' in the Tuesday devotional with the choir and that was way awesome, I love singing in the choir even though I can't sing, given that half the guys in their can't sing but it fun haha.
All of my bros down in the MTC's down south I think they're apparently broadcasting our Sunday or Tuesday night devotional (I forget which one) to all the MTC's worldwide! Look for me singing in the choir it's gonna be sick!
I saw Elder Price and Elder Godfrey come in this week, so way cool to see those guys! And I saw Elder Dier (misspelled name probably) last night and he and Coleman and I talked for a bit. I also saw Elder Zollinger (?? Misspelled) last night as well. More and more guys I know coming in and can't wait for the August 5th's!
Good to know all my bros going through or about to go through the same stuff with me it helps me! Keep up the good work and serve with everything you got! Menyayangi dan melayan!
Elder Thompson
Ps: An answer to our question of what he's saying at beginning and end of letter: "What's up Friends and Family" & "Love and Serve"
