Back to Basics

Hey what's up everyone?! 

This week was full of cool experiences and new beginnings! A lot of  happened , here's how it went down:

Last P-day I still didn't have a companion, so I lined up to meet with some of my members and hang out with them for the P-day! It was way fun just chilling with them for the day. We went and saw a lot of the most famous and cool scenes in Singapore. We stopped by Sentosa (Promised Land) and explored the beaches, then we went to Marina Bay and had fun hanging out on the top of Marina Bay Sands Building (The Surf Board Building), and I always like seeing the night life here! Singapore is 'Sick!'

 

 

Then later in the week I got my new Companion! I would later figure out he is more like my brother and that's the truth! He is the story: The day before we found out who our new comps were, I had a chance to shake hands with all of them. There was one Elder that I distinctively remembered his face nd name, Elder Miller.  I felt like he was gonna be the one,  I called it a whole day before I knew! The next day we got our comps, and sure enough, Elder Miller got assigned to me! Called it! Elder Miller is from Utah and he's way more athletic than I'll ever be, which gives me some competition. We have the same interests and we talk like we've known each other for weeks. I love him already and I'm excited for what he is going to become! 'Bros' already. I got a younger brother in the mission!

One funny story with Elder Miller: It was about the second night that he came out of the bathroom and asked, "Hey are we out of toilet paper? or, "Do we have any?"  I just started laughing and smiling, haha. I explained to him how the hose is going to be his best friend for the next 2 years haha. Gotta love the hose!

 

We were proselyting this weekend and we stumbled upon the 'Hari Ria' celebrations happening. This is the month of fasting for the Malay Muslim people over here. As we were walking through I was brought back to Malaysia. The music, food, language and the people. It all brought me back. I just felt at home seeing everyone sitting on the floor eating their rice with their hands and speaking my language. I am these people. This is when I realized, I am Malay. Everyone, Elder Thompson is fully Malay!

Well, that's all. Love you all!     Parker

--------------------------------------------

Draper, Utah Missionary Letters June 25-2016

"Pregnancy"

Hey everyone!

First thing is first. Transfers came in today and I will be staying here in the Ang Mo Kio and Bedok Wards in Singapore. I will be training a new missionary coming in! In mission terms, I am considered 'pregnant' right now as my companion had not reached us, but when he does, I will have 'child!'  I am super excited and ready to learn a lot. It'll be a fun one!

Here is the quick run down of some of the week:

Last P-day we got to walk around the business district here in Singapore and do a little window shopping. This week I sent my last companion home as he finished his mission, so that called for some buying of suits! We shopped like true Singaporeans and we went into some pretty impressive shops and malls with some even more impressive price tags. For those who know me, shopping is not my style, and the city isn't really my preference, but it was impressive none the less. (Lauren and Maddi and Mom you'd love it here haha.)   (Pics are of Elder Cocq last days and Shopping fun):

 

 

  

Because my comp went home a little early I went to a tri-companionship with the other Elders in my house. That was pretty fun and interesting in and of itself! It is still interesting working out how we can do work in 3 different wards in 3 different parts of the island, but we are doing it! 

I got the opportunity to do a "Visa Run" this week, as we call them. So we are kind of here in Singapore and Malaysia permanently, but not really allowed by the government. We have to act like a tourist every 90 days or so and leave the country to get some stamps renewed on our passports. I was the only one that needed it at the time so I went alone! Yep. I went to the island of Batam, Indonesia and had a day to myself, haha. I've been to Indonesia! Those people are a lot like the people in East Malaysia, so it felt like home. It was fun! 

The work is still ongoing even though I rolling solo for now. Waiting for my 'child' to come to me, haha. On this thought of a child to his father, it seems to ring perfect with Father's Day. I am reminded of the father I have on this earth that has given me so much. The one who raised me up to who I am today and the one who has really "trained" me in the missionary sense. There can never be enough said about you, Dad. I have a hard time stopping. Thanks for everything you did and are still doing. Thank you for showing me the man I want to be in my life. I love you! Keep those mountain biking trails and ski slopes nice and torn up for me.

That's all folks, Love you all!

Elder Thompson

Draper, Utah Missionary Letters June 18-2016

Week Full of Memories

How is everyone?! Enjoying summer? Same.....Year Round haha:

Elder Thompson had a crazy week of memories that are in no way related to each other at all but they happened, and they were awesome! Missionary work was bit slow but we are seeing life coming back into our area. My companion is going to 'die' in 3 days (Missionary "Die"), and these are some bittersweet days. 

For P-day last week we went to one of the most iconic buildings in Singapore, the Marina Bay Sands, or the "Surfboard Building."  Instead of standing and looking at it we went to the top. Now to get to the top in the cheapest way possible?, leave it to Elder Thompson to act like a billionaire high roller and get you there! Haha. It was a way cool view and it was fun to hang out with some old buddies from the mission so far.

 

 

Elder Orr, from my time back in Sibu, came into Singapore (Zone Conferences) as well as the other Elders who are serving in Sibu.  I got to catch up and talk with them. We hung out and just caught up. I got to hear news from Sibu that I haven't heard in awhile, and I got to kick it with some guys from my group in the mission! Way fun!  Elder Orr brought his Iban companion to the house. It felt SO GOOD to speak some Malay and Iban again. It was like coming home!

During the middle of the week we got invited to a lunch with the ambassador of Costa Rica here in Singapore. We went to a place called, "The American Club," which basically consisted of a full on buffet of American food that you just get let loose on.  Everyone there is basically American. They have EVERYTHING. It was fantastic. This is the place where Elder Thompson was supposed to act like a billionaire American, like everyone else in there, but he didn't.  Blame the buffet. No regrets haha.  ( make sure to note the buffet picture, select your food for your plate!)

We took a morning and we woke up early and took a nice jog to the park near our house. For those of you who remember my email from a couple weeks ago, I talked about the Chinese Aunties in the park doing their Tai Chi, Zumba Dancing. This week, we did it, we joined, haha!  It was the funniest thing but great at the same time! Morning workouts for the win!

**We finished off the week with a lot of members inviting us for dinners and farewell parties for my companion, Elder Cocq. Hey I'm not complaining, FOOD! Like I said, bittersweet feelings but good times with the members. Singapore is a special place! Love it here! Love you all!

Elder Thompson 

**FB Post from SINGAPORE STAKE:
Elder Cocq (from France)  and Elder Thompson (from Utah) at our home for dinner:
Sis Britt Thompson, your Elder says 'Hi.' — at Pasir Ris St 21 Blk 229.

--------------------------

HomeComing for Alex Wright and Noah Malula ; Farewell Josue Malula ; Carson Bodon

Draper, Utah Missionary Letters June 11-2016

SomeBody to Lean On

Hey what's up?!

This week I'll have to be brief. It seems like I say that every week but this week it's for real, sorry about that!

The week was a pretty long. The only reason for that is that we contacted all day, every day for the entire week. Our area is not sustaining like we had hoped it would, in fact it is spiraling which is even worse. Our efforts to save it are many but it is hard work. For those who don't realize what "Contacting" is, here you go:  You walk around in the hot sun and you ride the trains here back and forth all day, and you talk to random people. You are at the mercy of those you talk to. From the 'Anti-Mormons' to the really accepting. You get it all. You are on your feet all day, and you only receive little victories. It is not the most fun thing in the world, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

This is where the members come in. We all need 'Somebody to Lean On.'  So when we have days like that, our consecutive weeks like that as we have had, it pays to meet with the members in their homes and just be with them. They provide the uplifting you need to keep going, and they are just the people you want to talk to after a long day. Members are the best!

 

Some fun things for this week though:

We got to help a 'Member Move' on Saturday which was way fun! We moved all the furniture down which is what Elders are made for. We got to ride in the back of the moving truck as they drove to the new house with a bunch of Indian dudes. Always a new experience. Plus it is always a huge release to do some manual labor. Love it!

 

Got to try Singapore Chili Crab this week. It is really good and super fancy. It kind of wrecks your white shirt and tie though....but who cares, it's CHILI CRAB right!? For those who would like a good tasting meal but a not so pleasant morning after that, do the Chili Crab. I can guarantee results, haha!

  

Love you all!

Elder Thompson 

Draper, Utah Missionary Letters June 4-2016