The ONE YEAR Mark

Hey Everyone!!

Ok, first, let me tell you all about all the highlights of the week as far was what we did and then we can get into the deep stuff later, haha! :

Last P-day we went to the top of Marina Bay Sands again with the house and enjoyed seeing some sights around there. 

Funny quote from Elder Miller this week: "We're missionaries, we're not human!" Haha, I have been known to say that throughout my mission. There is no truer statement out there, and yet so spiritual at the same time. Maybe I'll explain later!

 

This week we were at the stake center receiving some training and I saw some of my Sibu brothers! Two young men from Sibu, Malaysia who were just one day out on their mission. They just entered the mission field! Man I hugged those two tiny Malaysians so dang hard I just about killed them! It was exciting to see two young men that I had worked with for 8 months to get them on missions and support them, finally in the mission field. This work is true folks. We had zone conference this week as well which is always motivating and inspiring. Love me some zone meetings all day! It felt nice to get out and work under the sun haha. 

 

Ok, and then came the year mark. Friday July 15th, to be exact. First off, it was a pretty chill day in that we had to do weekly planning but I think that is what made the year mark so good. Mom! I made the cookies for the house and we enjoyed them with some nice ice cream. Yes, they were good! I also made some french toast for the house the next morning and we munched on that. Contrary to most missionaries, I think my baking and cooking skills have degraded on my mission...woops.  That brings me to the year mark. As far as cool traditions go to celebrate, you can kind of make your own!  Singapore is a bit too safe so we can't do too much, but I think that is better for Elder Thompson given my track history in Malaysia when it comes to celebrations. I'm being safe Mom and Dad!!

 

Anyways, one year:  Wow. I can't even begin to think what has happened and how I have changed in the past year. I'll tell you all what though, I've never laughed harder in my life. I have never prayed harder in my life. Never have I enjoyed church so much in history. I know what it is that I am out here for. Oh hey guess what? The Spirit feels pretty good when you have it with you, who knew?? I talk to random people all over the city without even blinking an eyebrow. I can't wait to get up in the morning an hour before we are supposed to so that I can work myself in the gym. I now own 8 journals that I write in simultaneously. I am writing in the journal....that is a miracle in and of itself. I know this church is true, every part of it. You know what I learned from all this? It's not about me. I have seen lives changed, people healed, and sorrows overcome. I have seen miracles happen, faith grow, and repentance take place. I have been humbled until I hit rock bottom. That is where I found Jesus Christ, sitting on the rocks waiting for me to join him so we could take this mountain together. I know that he lives and I know of his power to take us and make us more than we ever thought we could be. He can make us into something we didn't envision for ourselves, not against our will, but with his will. I serve with my heart. All of it. Everything in and nothing left out. A full sacrifice. A consecrated missionary. I love God. He truly does wait for us to mount up as eagles and take flight. Only then do we get to see what it is that he sees. What it is that Joseph Smith saw and every other person on this earth that has lived this gospel, preached it, or been changed by it. It is real. It is true. I know it is. I know it is. 

Sorry that was so jumbled and what not but I love you all!

Elder Thompson

Draper, Utah Missionary Letters July 16-2016