Very Good Eldah!!

How are you guys? It feels like a million years ago that I wrote you, and maybe even longer since you wrote me. Hint Hint! My companion, Elder S received 7 letters one day, so if you guys could beat that it would be really ideal. Just something to think about.

So as for my week. Tuesday we had a devotional for someone from the 70 I believe. I forgot my notebook in the classroom, and don't have enough time to run back for it. It was pretty good if I remember correctly. I seem like I don't pay attention or anything, but I really do. It's just sometimes very overwhelming. The main building here was closed all week because of the New Mission President's Training, so there were tons of General Authorities here. Rumor has it that Prophet was speaking to them, but not to us. I'm not too sure about it. I'll get to who I saw later.

Trying to think of it I can't really remember what happened each day, they all seem to blur together so I'll just tell you the jist of everything. Elder H had bronchitis, but he got some medicine that made him sick, so then he was sick all week. Finally on Friday they gave him the right medication so now he's back to his perky self. It's always nice to have someone to wake you up 20 minutes before your alarm goes off. Who doesn't love that? I know that I certainly missed that when he was sick.... NOT!

Also, in reference to the subject. Because I am in the international district there are a lot of Polynesians. Some of them don't have the best English, but every single one can say this phrase in a very thick Samoan/Tongan/Island accent " VERY GOOD ELDER!!!". Everything is very good. You wake up in the morning, very good. You have a tie and a shirt on, very good. You are sitting in a desk, very good. You hit a ball when you are playing a game, very good. I think you get the picture, it's so funny. Especially when the Chinese people in our district make fun of them. Basically our district is like 30 Polynesians, 30 Chinese people, 2 Germans, 4 Americans, and actually 3 Canadians (2 from Quebec though surprisngly, and then me). So it is very different from probably every other Branch where it is like 50 Utah, 1 not-Utah. I suppose I shouldn't complain at all. Haha!!

So on Friday night we had a Fireside with some General Authorities. Seven to be exact. Bednar spoke, but Holland (My favorite, other than Uchtdorf, of course), Ballard, Oaks, Anderson, Nelson and Scott. It was crazy to see that many of them. But really neat. Elder Bednar talked about being a good missionary and how to use Preach My Gospel better. It really is such a good book.

Also on Friday Night I got to meet my new mission President, President and Sister Miles. I LOVE THEM. They are probably the nicest people ever. President Miles was such a happy person, he told us how he'd been praying for us since they got their call (where they really didn't want to go to Germany because Sister Miles didn't speak German before), and how now that they see us they think of us like their children. He was so genuine and such a nice guy. He started crying when he was introducing himself because he was so happy (Maybe we are related? Haha!) And Sister Miles is really funny. She's very sarcastic, but in a sweet way. If that makes sense. I am really excited to get to know them, and to work with them. They told us that we were like their children too because we were their first missionaries. It seems weird to think that I am leaving in like 2 weeks. We still haven't figured it out for sure though. Because our teachers have to write something to the travel office to change our departure date, and they haven't yet. I'll try and figure it out today or tomorrow so that I can find out for sure when I am leaving.

It's good that I am leaving in 4 weeks instead of 9 I think. I would go crazy, and I feel like there is a reason I'm leaving, either someone I'm supposed to meet, or something. I can't really describe it, there has got to be a reason though. Like a talk in the last Conference where they talked about the Currant Bush, someone has an idea of what they want me to become and they will help me to get there.

I also figured out why I get so bothered here. Think of having to wait for something that you really, REALLY want for 4 weeks. Then think of those whole 4 weeks, someone telling you how awesome that thing is going to be, and everything you do in those 4 weeks, is related to that thing that you really want. If that makes sense at all. Like being taunted by something for 4 weeks. I maybe can't describe it, but it's crazy. I'll try again later if you don't get it. If not, I may just be going crazy. I miss you guys a lot. Hope that you are doing well!! Love you lots!!!

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Sincerely,

Elder Connor J. Thompson

How are you guys, it seems like I have been here for forever. Five days feels like 5 years. I guess I'll just give you a rundown of how things have gone. So we got here on Wednesday and I was in a German district with 6 others. Elder S., my companion, I'll tell you more about later, but there were 2 other Elders, and 3 other Sisters. They were all from Utah or Idaho (Who isn't here?) So anyways, we started speaking a little bit of German, but it was very very simple German, like "Where do you come from" "What is your name?". Really simple. Elder S took some German in High School, so he asked if there was a way we could be put in a different class or something because we knew alot more German than the others in the district. The teacher said maybe tomorrow, so we went through the day and had our devotional and everything. It was really good, but really very overwhelming. It was crazy how many missionaries there are here. Only 300 or so came in the same day as us, which is very few, but this week 600+ are scheduled to come. Which is insane!!!! It will be really busy, but I won't be the newest, so that is good.

On Thursday Elder S and I both had a sort of placement exam with a German teacher individually, and he decided that we would probably be fine if we left in 3 weeks instead of 9. I was so shocked, I know Matt had told me about the advanced classes, but they still were there the same amount of time. That's what I wanted, but that didn't really happen. So then we got changed into the international district. It's very different from the other districts. Everyone is going to a place where they already speak the language, so we only learn about the Gospel in English, and have NO time to practice our German. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.... Haha!!! In our district there are 5 of us. Sister L, from Hong Kong is going to Rochester New York and the Hill Cumorah Pageant, her companion is Sister C, she is from Florida, but going to the Washington D.C. North mission, speaking Mandarin. Then I am in a threesome with Elder H, he's Chinese too, he's also going to Washington D.C., and then Elder S and I. The whole Zone is quite different though because like the name suggests, it is international. We have so many Asian people, and a lot of Polynesians. They are so loud. In our Zone of about 50 there are 5 white people, very different from Lethbridge or Medicine Hat.

I love our district though, we all get along very well. And are able to work. A little about my companions, Elder S is from St. Louis Missouri (One of the few not from Utah) and his favorite thing is........ BASKETBALL. He's all about fitness, so we have a lot in common. NOT. Haha! We actually get along really well though, however I remember saying to mom that the only thing worse than a companion who didn't want to do anything, was one who loved Gym stuff. His biggest concern is losing a bit of weight to make him too skinny, mine is not quite the same.....So maybe I shouldn't have said that... Haha!!! He's really funny though, and we have fun with some of the other missionaries. Our other companion is Elder H, is the funniest person I've ever met. Did you ever meet Fil Z? He was in plays with me at school, that's Elder H. If not, he's just very uh... how does one say.... excited about life? So much that he forgets about the things around him. He was showing us some of his 'dance moves', which is forbidden here, but they were the best things I've ever seen in my life. Trust me. I cried so much because I was laughing. He also has Bronchitis so that is really fun.... We get a humidifier in our cell though, I mean room... It feels like a cell though, the windows don't even open. It's strange.... I don't see the logic as it's super hot, but oh well.

I am really learning a lot here. It's crazy how much we learn, unfortunately our teachers have been sick, and so we've had lots of personal study, which is good, but is hard to stay focused. Elder S and I are going to meet with another German District (They've been here 6 weeks, I think our understanding of German is better than theirs because we have had more training, so maybe we can do 3 weeks?) They will be departing from the MTC with us on July 5th. However, we're heard a rumor that since President Miles is starting July 4th or somewhere around there, he wanted a week to not have to worry about dealing with new missionaries and everything. So then we would leave July 11th? I'm not sure exactly and I'll let you know.

So Happy Fathers Day Papa T!! I think that as this goes I will appreciate all that you have taught me about keeping clean (something I wish more missionaries knew), being frugal, and even being healthy. I run 2.5 miles every Gym, time and then bike at least 2 miles, and then play some sports or something. But we have 50 minutes a day. Which is 50 minutes more than I did at home. Haha!!! I saw Jesse here a couple times. And then on our temple walk saw him. We got some pictures in front of the Temple.

I'm learning so much as we are in class so long in a day. A ridiculous time. Like on average 7 hours a day. But it's easier to stay focused than I thought it would be. I'm getting along with people and making new friends. Lots in our district. It's a very strange experience. It was funny the other day one of the Elders was giving a talk and he said "I no speak English very good." I don't know why it was so funny to me. Maybe from exhaustion, but it made me think about how great this place is, and especially our district. We all help each other with our languages. I think we have just about every language here. Elder S and I always harass two missionaries, Sister F and Elder W and make them listen to the first lesson in German. It's good practice and seems like it's getting easier every day. The Lord truly does work miracles here for us, his servants. I love it. People are nice, food isn't as bad as people say it is. Life is good. I love you guys a lot, and wish I could say I want to come home, but I don't really. I'm trying to be more bold. But it's hard. But I'm trying. Love you guys! Write me!! -- Sincerely, Elder Connor J. Thompson