So this week has been really good!
It seems like Christmas will be so far away, but when I think about how I have been here since July it doesn't seem that far away. I am not going to lie. I am not excited for when it gets cold and snowy. We are in a bike area, and I am not so good on my bike. I have only ran into someone once though, and it is because they pulled a Saskatchewan Left (Is that even a thing? Either way, he pulled way to the right and then turned left so I tried to go by him and then ran into him. Luckily everyone was fine. We stayed on the bike, and they probably thought I was a J-Dub, so no harm, no fowl. Haha!) Elder B has hit two people I think. Once he slammed on the brakes to avoid a parked car, and then his bike flipped around a hit some lady behind him. So comparatively, I am not doing too bad. Haha! Luckily, it hasn't snowed yet. It's a little nippy some days, but we got some cheap ear muffs and gloves and scarves
Anyways, on Tuesday we met with C, the lady who got baptized on Sunday and our GML (Ward Mission Leader (Gemeinde Missions Leiter)) was there too. She made us some Roladen, Roladin, Rolladun, I don't know how to spell it, but it was a pickle, wrapped in some meat, wrapped in onions, wrapped in bacon, wrapped in meat. I love Germany! Haha! It was so good, but they feed us soo much here! I think the missionaries before were huge or something because when they dish us, we get like 3 times more than I can eat, and then I muscle it down, and then they serve the main course. It is crazy! But good, nonetheless. It was really good. There was some concern because she hadn't been to church in over a month, but the GML said that if she made all that fancy food for us, he called in Sunday food, then she was probably sincere. So that was good.
Then on Wednesday we met with her again at a members house and got another eating appointment. With Kurbiss Soup (That means Pumpkin!) It was delicious. I would say 9 out of 10 eating appointments gives us Kurbiss Soup. I love it! Then a bunch of vegetables. The husband, is a very Bavarian man with a thick accent, but he is super funny. I love the Branch here. We taught about the Prophets and then ate a bunch more and then went home on our bikes.
On Thursday, the Zone Leaders came to do interviews and it was really good. I really like them.
On Saturday, we also had an amazing day. I think every single person that we went by on, whether they were inactive or former investigator was there and we were able to teach, or we were able to set up a return appointment with them. It was awesome. Plus I had a cool experience with my bike chain. We were riding our bikes to see an investigator who had a baptismal date, but we haven't been able to contact for almost a month. Somehow, my bike chain fell off and got stuck in something else in the bike (I don't really know a lot about bikes. Just pedal and go!) and wouldn't get out. It took about 10 minutes of wiggling and adjusting things, and then it just popped out without me doing anything. We kept on riding to our investigators house and knocked and waited about 2 minutes and then he walked into the apartment. We were able to teach him right then and there which was amazing since we hadn't seen him for such a long time. Looking back on it, I realize that my bike chain fell off for a reason. If we didn't get there ten minutes later, then we would not have seen him at all, however we were able to teach him and set up another appointment with him because it fell off. It was cool to look back on and see that. I know that sounds dumb, but it was awesome.
Sunday was a busy day. It was nice because we got an extra hour of sleep, which was the best hour of my mission. Haha! We went to church and I had to give a talk. It was bad... It was really bad. Remember how bad I am at giving talks in English? Strangely, it was no better in German. Haha! I went up and started, and then realized that I forgot my scriptures so I had to use the Branch Presidents, and then I turned super read and just talked really fast with my terrible German and it was awful. Luckily, everyone was really nice and they still told me it was really good for only being here 3 months (MTC German doesn't really count...). After Church we went to a members house and they are awesome. The Dad reminds me quite a bit of dad. We ate sooo much delicious food with them too, and then we played Nertz (Sadly, I did terrible. Did not make mom proud.) And then went to the baptism. It was so good. I sang a song (Come Thou Fount, of course. Haha!) And it went really well. Plus, after that someone invited us over for supper, and now all of the primary kids think I am the bomb because I can sing English music and I can play the piano. Now the cool thing for them to do is to take the missionary name tags and pretend to be missionaries. It is funny. The branch is slowly, but surely warming up to us, which is really good. I want to be one of the missionaries that people remember.
That was a big part of our week. We also got one of our investigators, T, to get a baptismal date! Which is awesome! He lives in the Azulheim (Refugee Camp place) and is from Iraq, but he is pretty solid. We are working with him and hopefully will be able to help him a lot.
The week has been really good. We have been working really hard. And I come back and am exhausted, but I would much rather work hard than not at all. I realized that when I am unhappy I just need to work harder.
How is everyone doing at home? I miss Primary Presentations, but I think our Branch's is in two weeks or so which is really exciting! Haha! It is so strange to hear the Primary songs in German, but funny. I honestly, LOVE the branch here. They are so good.
Glad to hear that everyone is doing good. Hope that everyone is doing good. I love you a lot! Thanks for everything!
Sincerely,
Elder Connor J. Thompson
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
October 24, 2011
As for this week. It has been really good. On Tuesday we had an exchange (Elder B is the District Leader and has to work with all of the Elders in our District once a transfer (There are four other ones) and with the Zone Leaders once a transfer so I, as the District Frau (Like the Mission President's wife) get to go on exchanges too. Which is awesome. That is the only perk to being district leader, but there are cons. This way I only get the perks. Yay!!) so I went to Neuötting. Which is where the Pope is from. Everybody is super Catholic there. It was interesting. The main square in the town has 5 chapels, and a cathedral, and they are huge. It is pretty though, but very Catholic. It is always interesting going on exchanges because you always realize how much you like your area. I love Landshut! Hah!
On Wednesday, we had interviews so we all went to Munich for that. It was really good. I can't believe that I have been our for 4 months. It is ridiculous! Time goes so fast at times, and then soooooooo slowly at other times. But it was really good. I love President and Sister Miles. They are such good people. It's funny because it seems like everytime he talks, he uses a quote from Elder Nelson, Sister Miles' father. I laugh a lot about it, but that is because I am a nerd. I don't even know what is funny about it, but it is funny to me. Haha! The rest of us, while we were waiting for our interviews had a meeting and talked a lot about helping people make and keep baptismal commitments, something that every missionary can improve on. Which is good because out of nowhere an investigator just texted us that evening and said she wanted to move her baptism up a month. Which is normally really good. The problem is that she hasn't been to church in over a month, hadn't met with the missionaries in over a month. We had a couple funny appointments with some investigators. Our first one was with a solid lady that Elder B and another Elder met while on exchanges. He was sure that she wasn't just in it for the handouts, but we went to her house, which was awful. It was a building that stopped renovations halfway through and just left all the stuff there. She had asked them for a couch (WHAT THE HECK?!?) and seemed really sad when we didn't bring her a couch. Weird.... Then we went to her and we couldn't meet with her because we didn't have a Joint Teach, so we taught her on the doorstep, but she couldn't stay to long because all the heat was getting out of her house, and she doesn't have a furnace or a heater.... She also asked us to bring her leftovers every once in a while. It was weird. Needless to say, she was not quite as solid as he thought. As we left we shook her hands and they were ice cold, so I gave her my mitts. They were only 1€! There is my good deed for the day! Haha!
On Saturday we had a Kurbissfest with the branch. If your German is a little rusty, that is Pumpkinfest! Yippee!! Haha! It was actually really good. The whole branch got involved and brought pumpkin food. The most surprisingly part is that they hate pumpkin pie. But it was fun. They divided the branch up into teams and we played some games, and then we ate. It was really fun. The best part was that the losing teams had to dress up like old farmers (if they were women) and old ladies (if they were men). It was hilarious! I think it's against the rules, but was so funny! Luckily, I was on a winning team so I didn't have to do it. But Elder W was not so lucky. Haha! And they went all out with make-up and everything. It was soo funny! Of course, I forgot my camera, but I will try to get some pictures of it from a member. The branch here is so good. I love them a lot.
Things are going good though. Glad that all is going good at home. Tell everyone thanks for the letters. I got one from Julie the other day. It was quite a surprise, but was nice. It had a nice picture from Coleman too. My first piece of children's artwork! Hopefully not my last!
I love you a lot, and would miss you if I had enough time. But as soon as I start to get homesick I start to work harder. It's much easier that way. Love you a lot!
--
Sincerely,
Elder Connor J. Thompson
On Wednesday, we had interviews so we all went to Munich for that. It was really good. I can't believe that I have been our for 4 months. It is ridiculous! Time goes so fast at times, and then soooooooo slowly at other times. But it was really good. I love President and Sister Miles. They are such good people. It's funny because it seems like everytime he talks, he uses a quote from Elder Nelson, Sister Miles' father. I laugh a lot about it, but that is because I am a nerd. I don't even know what is funny about it, but it is funny to me. Haha! The rest of us, while we were waiting for our interviews had a meeting and talked a lot about helping people make and keep baptismal commitments, something that every missionary can improve on. Which is good because out of nowhere an investigator just texted us that evening and said she wanted to move her baptism up a month. Which is normally really good. The problem is that she hasn't been to church in over a month, hadn't met with the missionaries in over a month. We had a couple funny appointments with some investigators. Our first one was with a solid lady that Elder B and another Elder met while on exchanges. He was sure that she wasn't just in it for the handouts, but we went to her house, which was awful. It was a building that stopped renovations halfway through and just left all the stuff there. She had asked them for a couch (WHAT THE HECK?!?) and seemed really sad when we didn't bring her a couch. Weird.... Then we went to her and we couldn't meet with her because we didn't have a Joint Teach, so we taught her on the doorstep, but she couldn't stay to long because all the heat was getting out of her house, and she doesn't have a furnace or a heater.... She also asked us to bring her leftovers every once in a while. It was weird. Needless to say, she was not quite as solid as he thought. As we left we shook her hands and they were ice cold, so I gave her my mitts. They were only 1€! There is my good deed for the day! Haha!
On Saturday we had a Kurbissfest with the branch. If your German is a little rusty, that is Pumpkinfest! Yippee!! Haha! It was actually really good. The whole branch got involved and brought pumpkin food. The most surprisingly part is that they hate pumpkin pie. But it was fun. They divided the branch up into teams and we played some games, and then we ate. It was really fun. The best part was that the losing teams had to dress up like old farmers (if they were women) and old ladies (if they were men). It was hilarious! I think it's against the rules, but was so funny! Luckily, I was on a winning team so I didn't have to do it. But Elder W was not so lucky. Haha! And they went all out with make-up and everything. It was soo funny! Of course, I forgot my camera, but I will try to get some pictures of it from a member. The branch here is so good. I love them a lot.
Things are going good though. Glad that all is going good at home. Tell everyone thanks for the letters. I got one from Julie the other day. It was quite a surprise, but was nice. It had a nice picture from Coleman too. My first piece of children's artwork! Hopefully not my last!
I love you a lot, and would miss you if I had enough time. But as soon as I start to get homesick I start to work harder. It's much easier that way. Love you a lot!
--
Sincerely,
Elder Connor J. Thompson
Monday, October 17, 2011
October 17, 2011
This week has been really good. We found 5 new investigators (2 of them also dropped us this week, for various reasons) but things are doing good. I am way more busy here than in Innsbruck, and because of that, and riding a bike all around town at the end of the day I am just exhausted and go to bed so nicely. Which is good. It is always a nice feeling of coming home after working hard and then just being exhausted. This is very different from my previous attitude of it's nice to stay home all day and then go to bed after not working at all, and being exhausted because Jordan, Spencer and I were playing games until too late. Ha! Oh the Glory Days...
So the first investigator that we found was Herr B. Herr B was a former investigator who is a 7th Day Adventist. I don't know how much you know about their beliefs, but their know their Bible inside and out, and are very strict. They are also good investigators because they always keep their commitments and always read in the Book of Mormon, and they can always come to church on Sunday because they aren't busy! We just can't meet with them on Saturdays though. Haha!
The second investigator we found was Frau H. Who is AWESOME!! She is younger and has a little daughter who turns four in November. We met with her once, but since we didn't have a joint teach, we taught her in her doorway, gave her a Book of Mormon, and then gave her Moroni 10 to read. We came back in a couple days with Elder W (Who is awesome too!) and taught her sort of an introduction question and tried to answer her biggest question about 'why bad things would happen in the world when there is a God?' Which is a good question. And it is hard to answer, but at the same time, not too hard to answer. But impossible without the Spirit. We were able to talk about that and our agency, and how people many times have to suffer because of how others use their agency, and that doesn't make God happy. But, God is just and will judge people according to how they use their agency, and while things now are bad, they will be right after this life. Which is hard to accept for many people, but she was so prepared, and we felt the Spirit so strongly, I think she understood what we meant, and agrees. She is really prepared, and has so much potential. And is what the branch here needs. They need some young blood in the branch! But she is awesome!
The third investigator that we found was E. She is the coolest lady I have ever met. Unfortunately, she also dropped us, but not by her own choice.
Our fourth investigator was T. T is also awesome. Haha! I say that about everyone, but T really is awesome. He is in the Refugee home and is from Iraq. He fled Iraq to Germany when he was like 15, and then lived in England for about 10 years, and was married and had a little girl. Somehow he got deported back to Germany from England, and so now he is stuck here. He told us how things were missing, and how before he would have wanted nothing to do with the Gospel, but he needs to turn his life around and straighten his act up. He is really cool.
Our last investigator is S. He is from Poland, and seems really cool. He has a wife and young family as well, and it would be so good to teach him. We only got to meet with him once, but he has so much potential. I am really excited.
The rest of the week has been really busy, tracking down former investigators, and working hard. Elder B has only been out one transfer longer than I have, and so we both have realized that we have to work hard and be 100% obedient because otherwise there is no way that we will be able to do anything. I think that we have really seen the blessings from it.
Things have been going really well. I don't have too much time anymore, but I love you guys a lot. We had Stake Conference, which was a strange experience. Because they don't have Stake Centers over here like they do in Canada, they rented out a big theatre. Like, the Esplanade theatre and had Stake Conference there. It was very different, but very good. I am always amazed to see the Saints here. I had no idea how easy it was to be a Mormon, until I met these people. It is not easy here. But they are so strong. I love it.
Germany is for sure different from Austria. I think it is sort of like America and Canada. But the people are good here. I hope you guys are doing good. Say hi to everyone for me. I love you guys a lot!
Sincerely,
Elder Connor J. Thompson
So the first investigator that we found was Herr B. Herr B was a former investigator who is a 7th Day Adventist. I don't know how much you know about their beliefs, but their know their Bible inside and out, and are very strict. They are also good investigators because they always keep their commitments and always read in the Book of Mormon, and they can always come to church on Sunday because they aren't busy! We just can't meet with them on Saturdays though. Haha!
The second investigator we found was Frau H. Who is AWESOME!! She is younger and has a little daughter who turns four in November. We met with her once, but since we didn't have a joint teach, we taught her in her doorway, gave her a Book of Mormon, and then gave her Moroni 10 to read. We came back in a couple days with Elder W (Who is awesome too!) and taught her sort of an introduction question and tried to answer her biggest question about 'why bad things would happen in the world when there is a God?' Which is a good question. And it is hard to answer, but at the same time, not too hard to answer. But impossible without the Spirit. We were able to talk about that and our agency, and how people many times have to suffer because of how others use their agency, and that doesn't make God happy. But, God is just and will judge people according to how they use their agency, and while things now are bad, they will be right after this life. Which is hard to accept for many people, but she was so prepared, and we felt the Spirit so strongly, I think she understood what we meant, and agrees. She is really prepared, and has so much potential. And is what the branch here needs. They need some young blood in the branch! But she is awesome!
The third investigator that we found was E. She is the coolest lady I have ever met. Unfortunately, she also dropped us, but not by her own choice.
Our fourth investigator was T. T is also awesome. Haha! I say that about everyone, but T really is awesome. He is in the Refugee home and is from Iraq. He fled Iraq to Germany when he was like 15, and then lived in England for about 10 years, and was married and had a little girl. Somehow he got deported back to Germany from England, and so now he is stuck here. He told us how things were missing, and how before he would have wanted nothing to do with the Gospel, but he needs to turn his life around and straighten his act up. He is really cool.
Our last investigator is S. He is from Poland, and seems really cool. He has a wife and young family as well, and it would be so good to teach him. We only got to meet with him once, but he has so much potential. I am really excited.
The rest of the week has been really busy, tracking down former investigators, and working hard. Elder B has only been out one transfer longer than I have, and so we both have realized that we have to work hard and be 100% obedient because otherwise there is no way that we will be able to do anything. I think that we have really seen the blessings from it.
Things have been going really well. I don't have too much time anymore, but I love you guys a lot. We had Stake Conference, which was a strange experience. Because they don't have Stake Centers over here like they do in Canada, they rented out a big theatre. Like, the Esplanade theatre and had Stake Conference there. It was very different, but very good. I am always amazed to see the Saints here. I had no idea how easy it was to be a Mormon, until I met these people. It is not easy here. But they are so strong. I love it.
Germany is for sure different from Austria. I think it is sort of like America and Canada. But the people are good here. I hope you guys are doing good. Say hi to everyone for me. I love you guys a lot!
Sincerely,
Elder Connor J. Thompson
Monday, October 10, 2011
October 10, 2001
A fun little tidbit of information is that it means Two Bridge Street. How fun is that?!? Haha!!
This week has gone really good. I love Landshut! It is so different here, but I love it. I am in Bayern again! So let me start with transfer day. I don't really remember what happened in Innsbruck on Tuesday, we had some meetings said goodbye to the G's (Which was sad. I LOVE them. They are hilarious.) Said goodbye to some members, went to see the C family, and then packed. On Wednesday we went to Munich for transfers. Our train left Innsbruck at about 7:30, and got to Munich at about 9:15 and then Elder B and I left from Munich to Landshut at about 10:00 and got there at about 10:45. It is beautiful here. Innsbruck of course was beautiful and right in the alps and everything, but after a while it feels weird to be in the mountains for so long. Landshut is nice and flat and about the size of Medicine Hat (at least population wise. It is much more compact like everything in Europe.)
My companion Elder B is the best. He is only one transfer older than me (So he reported in May, but was also fast tracked so his German is good) so we feel a little overwhelmed. At least I do. But he is awesome. I think because we are both so new and there were a lot of problems here we have really come together and just got down to it and worked hard. Which is good. I feel like I have already learned a lot because there is no more sitting back on the Senior Companion and letting them take charge. It's like I am a real missionary. I feel like I say something along those lines every week, but I really am learning so much and I feel like a way better missionary than I did last week.
On Thursday we just did a lot of contacting, which is always a lot of fun. Haha! The teaching pool seems a little stagnant so to speak. But anyways, there wasn't (and still sort of isn't) too much happening here in Landshut.
On Friday we met with the coolest investigator of all time. It could have also been on Saturday, but I am not too sure either way. He is cool. His name is H and he is the biggest redneck I have seen. Not just in Europe, but my whole life I think. He wants to be a country singer and sings a lot of Johnny Cash. Which isn't too bad. He also loves... Camouflage!!! Woohoo!!! And trucker hats, and jean jackets. He is the best. But actually he is really cool. He would also just say things that were so deep that I had no idea where they were coming from, but it was really good. He is an eternal investigator, but maybe he will get baptized. I think we can do it actually because we are just starting from the basics. He's said some things that really make me think he might be ready for baptism, but I don't really know too much so maybe not. But he's been investigating so long he has hometeachers, and he is on the branch schedule to clean the church too. Haha!
On Saturday we went to Mühldorf, which is in another district, so we helped the Elders in Neuötting with a street display. Elder D, and his greenie, Elder H were there and it was crazy to see. For two reasons. In Innsbruck the closest missionaries other than the G's were about 2 hours away, this was only 30 minutes, and to see how much I have changed since I first came out on my mission. It is unreal to think that that was me only 3 months ago. Looking back it seems like a long time ago, but also like just yesterday. It was funny.
Sunday was a good day. I love the branch here already. They are all so close. And a lot of funny people. And we got invited over for supper! Which was awesome! Apparently, last transfer they had only 2 eating appointments, but we have already had 2. I think that we can really get a better relationship with the branch, which is good and something that we need to do.
Neuschwanstein (the Disney Castle) is pretty close so we are probably going to see that in a couple weeks. Maybe in the snow, maybe in the fall with all the pretty leaves. IN reality though it will be the ugly time in between. Haha! But it's still pretty cool if I say so myself.
I love you guys a lot!
Sincerely,
Elder Connor J. Thompson
This week has gone really good. I love Landshut! It is so different here, but I love it. I am in Bayern again! So let me start with transfer day. I don't really remember what happened in Innsbruck on Tuesday, we had some meetings said goodbye to the G's (Which was sad. I LOVE them. They are hilarious.) Said goodbye to some members, went to see the C family, and then packed. On Wednesday we went to Munich for transfers. Our train left Innsbruck at about 7:30, and got to Munich at about 9:15 and then Elder B and I left from Munich to Landshut at about 10:00 and got there at about 10:45. It is beautiful here. Innsbruck of course was beautiful and right in the alps and everything, but after a while it feels weird to be in the mountains for so long. Landshut is nice and flat and about the size of Medicine Hat (at least population wise. It is much more compact like everything in Europe.)
My companion Elder B is the best. He is only one transfer older than me (So he reported in May, but was also fast tracked so his German is good) so we feel a little overwhelmed. At least I do. But he is awesome. I think because we are both so new and there were a lot of problems here we have really come together and just got down to it and worked hard. Which is good. I feel like I have already learned a lot because there is no more sitting back on the Senior Companion and letting them take charge. It's like I am a real missionary. I feel like I say something along those lines every week, but I really am learning so much and I feel like a way better missionary than I did last week.
On Thursday we just did a lot of contacting, which is always a lot of fun. Haha! The teaching pool seems a little stagnant so to speak. But anyways, there wasn't (and still sort of isn't) too much happening here in Landshut.
On Friday we met with the coolest investigator of all time. It could have also been on Saturday, but I am not too sure either way. He is cool. His name is H and he is the biggest redneck I have seen. Not just in Europe, but my whole life I think. He wants to be a country singer and sings a lot of Johnny Cash. Which isn't too bad. He also loves... Camouflage!!! Woohoo!!! And trucker hats, and jean jackets. He is the best. But actually he is really cool. He would also just say things that were so deep that I had no idea where they were coming from, but it was really good. He is an eternal investigator, but maybe he will get baptized. I think we can do it actually because we are just starting from the basics. He's said some things that really make me think he might be ready for baptism, but I don't really know too much so maybe not. But he's been investigating so long he has hometeachers, and he is on the branch schedule to clean the church too. Haha!
On Saturday we went to Mühldorf, which is in another district, so we helped the Elders in Neuötting with a street display. Elder D, and his greenie, Elder H were there and it was crazy to see. For two reasons. In Innsbruck the closest missionaries other than the G's were about 2 hours away, this was only 30 minutes, and to see how much I have changed since I first came out on my mission. It is unreal to think that that was me only 3 months ago. Looking back it seems like a long time ago, but also like just yesterday. It was funny.
Sunday was a good day. I love the branch here already. They are all so close. And a lot of funny people. And we got invited over for supper! Which was awesome! Apparently, last transfer they had only 2 eating appointments, but we have already had 2. I think that we can really get a better relationship with the branch, which is good and something that we need to do.
Neuschwanstein (the Disney Castle) is pretty close so we are probably going to see that in a couple weeks. Maybe in the snow, maybe in the fall with all the pretty leaves. IN reality though it will be the ugly time in between. Haha! But it's still pretty cool if I say so myself.
I love you guys a lot!
Sincerely,
Elder Connor J. Thompson
Monday, October 3, 2011
The Best Week Ever
This has been the best week ever. Haha! We found the most Golden of all investigators in the world who even came to Conference (Which is cool because we only met her dooring last Sunday), and had a much better week. Everything is so exciting!! And I am getting transferred to Landshut Germany. It is in the Munich Zone, and is right beside Ingolstadt, so I will be in Germany so mail will be way faster and everything costs way less money. My companions name is Elder B. He seems like a good person from what I have heard, which isn't very much. Plus, they are having a baptism on the 8th that I get to be at. Woohoo!!! Haha!!! So that will be my second baptism that I didn't really do anything for that I get to see. But who cares. I have heard that Landshut is very beautiful so I am excited!
Everything is really exciting actually! Conference was amazing! I remember you saying something about how you were excited for me to get to have Conference on my mission and I thought that was weird. But I totally understand now. It was so cool. Definitely very different, but very good. On Saturday at 4:00 they had the Relief Society Session, and then live at 6:00 they had the Saturday Morning Session (6:00 here is 10:00 where you are). Then on Sunday morning at 11:00 we had Priesthood (which is where our investigator came!!!) and then Saturday Evening at 2:00 and then Sunday Morning at 6:00. Between the 2:00 and then 6:00 the members of the ward ate a meal together and it was really good. Not very many people were at the church because lots of people live out of town and so it is easier for them to watch it over the internet. Not going to lie, I wanted to lounge around in Pajamas all day and watch it online as well... Haha! But it was still really good. I can't remember all of the different talks that well because I learn better from reading them, but I loved Elder Boyd K. Packer when he said that we were being raised in enemy territory. That is especially true here. As I walk around I am amazed at the advertisements and stores and just things that are acceptable here. And I know that it is just a small part of the people, and it happens everywhere, but I think Europeans are very, very open about things. But I still love it here. I am not complaining! Haha! I also loved everything that President Monson said. His talks were so funny, and he seemed like even more of a story-teller than usual. I don't know how a person can listen to him, and feel the spirit and not know that he is a Prophet of God. President Uchtdorf's talks were also really good. And L. Tom Perry's was really good as well. Actually, there wasn't a single one that I didn't like. They were all really good. I am excited to get the Liahona or Ensign to read the talks. I think lots of the time we forget that like the Scriptures, Conference is a time where the living Prophets speak to us. There words are just as important as the scriptures because they are inspired for us. Obviously, this does not mean that we need to be obeying everything blindly and just doing exactly what the spirit says. However, like the scriptures we need to think about what they are saying, pray about it, decide if it is true, and then change our actions and what we are doing to reflect what they have said. I know for sure that as we do that Conference can be a great experience.
As for this week though, it has been really good. The GML here (Ward Mission Leader) is the best person at member missionary work I have ever met. Ever. He got back from his mission about 5 years ago (he went to Berlin and was AP with who is now the Area President of Europe for quite a while) and is the best. I don't know how to describe him other than the best. But he has helped us out a lot this past week. Especially with our Golden Investigator M. So on Sunday we were dooring and doored her apartment and she said to come back later. We made out an appointment for Tuesday, and surprisingly it actually went through. (Usually when people say stuff like that they just want us to leave and then when we come back then they just pretend they aren't there and stand us up). When we got there she said that she really wanted to meet with us because she had seen a lot of young men with white shirts and ties and black pants walking around and had no idea who they were. When we got there, however, she didn't have a man with her which meant that we couldn't meet with her and her son (Antonio who is 8). We didn't know what to do so we called C who said that he would be there in 10 minutes. So C biked his bike over as fast as he could and got there in 10 minutes and then we taught her. The lesson went really well and she was really interested and so then we made out another appointment to come back the next day and talk more. Her boyfriend wasn't there again, but luckily C went with us. The coolest part was that her son wasn't there. She said that she was only meeting with us so that she could teach her son about other religions and to be open minded, but he wasn't even there and she was still so interested. We taught her again and it was awesome. She said that after our first appointment she a lot of stuff on lds.org about the church and wanted the DVD's that you can order, Finding Faith in Christ which is good, Restoration, which is really good and The Lamb of God, also good. We brought her all those and then taught her again. I am a little sad that I am leaving because she is the most golden person I have met so far. But I know that there is a reason I am leaving. Remember last week when I said that I really didn't want to leave because I loved Innsbruck, and then I left. That sucked. Haha! I am sad to leave, but excited to see what the future has in store.
The rest of the week was good as well. We are trying to find a lot more people to teach, and now that University is back in session there are tons of students, who are always WAY more open to talking than angry old people so it is exciting! The work is exploding. Even though comparatively to other parts of the world it doesn't seem too great, the work really is progressing here. And the Lord is truly at the head of the work. There is no other way it could progress. One thing that I will not miss about Innsbruck however, is the Street Displays. Some people love them. They aren't my favorite thing in the world. We had one on Friday and lots of people just use it as a way to get their opinions across. As a missionary, you meet a lot of people who have an opinion and they feel as though they have to tell you. I have heard some pretty crazy things to say the least.
I hope you are all doing well. I know this church is true. That Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of the Lord, not only for the church, but for the whole world. It's cool when you think about that. Thanks for all your love and support!
Sincerely,
Elder Connor J. Thompson
Everything is really exciting actually! Conference was amazing! I remember you saying something about how you were excited for me to get to have Conference on my mission and I thought that was weird. But I totally understand now. It was so cool. Definitely very different, but very good. On Saturday at 4:00 they had the Relief Society Session, and then live at 6:00 they had the Saturday Morning Session (6:00 here is 10:00 where you are). Then on Sunday morning at 11:00 we had Priesthood (which is where our investigator came!!!) and then Saturday Evening at 2:00 and then Sunday Morning at 6:00. Between the 2:00 and then 6:00 the members of the ward ate a meal together and it was really good. Not very many people were at the church because lots of people live out of town and so it is easier for them to watch it over the internet. Not going to lie, I wanted to lounge around in Pajamas all day and watch it online as well... Haha! But it was still really good. I can't remember all of the different talks that well because I learn better from reading them, but I loved Elder Boyd K. Packer when he said that we were being raised in enemy territory. That is especially true here. As I walk around I am amazed at the advertisements and stores and just things that are acceptable here. And I know that it is just a small part of the people, and it happens everywhere, but I think Europeans are very, very open about things. But I still love it here. I am not complaining! Haha! I also loved everything that President Monson said. His talks were so funny, and he seemed like even more of a story-teller than usual. I don't know how a person can listen to him, and feel the spirit and not know that he is a Prophet of God. President Uchtdorf's talks were also really good. And L. Tom Perry's was really good as well. Actually, there wasn't a single one that I didn't like. They were all really good. I am excited to get the Liahona or Ensign to read the talks. I think lots of the time we forget that like the Scriptures, Conference is a time where the living Prophets speak to us. There words are just as important as the scriptures because they are inspired for us. Obviously, this does not mean that we need to be obeying everything blindly and just doing exactly what the spirit says. However, like the scriptures we need to think about what they are saying, pray about it, decide if it is true, and then change our actions and what we are doing to reflect what they have said. I know for sure that as we do that Conference can be a great experience.
As for this week though, it has been really good. The GML here (Ward Mission Leader) is the best person at member missionary work I have ever met. Ever. He got back from his mission about 5 years ago (he went to Berlin and was AP with who is now the Area President of Europe for quite a while) and is the best. I don't know how to describe him other than the best. But he has helped us out a lot this past week. Especially with our Golden Investigator M. So on Sunday we were dooring and doored her apartment and she said to come back later. We made out an appointment for Tuesday, and surprisingly it actually went through. (Usually when people say stuff like that they just want us to leave and then when we come back then they just pretend they aren't there and stand us up). When we got there she said that she really wanted to meet with us because she had seen a lot of young men with white shirts and ties and black pants walking around and had no idea who they were. When we got there, however, she didn't have a man with her which meant that we couldn't meet with her and her son (Antonio who is 8). We didn't know what to do so we called C who said that he would be there in 10 minutes. So C biked his bike over as fast as he could and got there in 10 minutes and then we taught her. The lesson went really well and she was really interested and so then we made out another appointment to come back the next day and talk more. Her boyfriend wasn't there again, but luckily C went with us. The coolest part was that her son wasn't there. She said that she was only meeting with us so that she could teach her son about other religions and to be open minded, but he wasn't even there and she was still so interested. We taught her again and it was awesome. She said that after our first appointment she a lot of stuff on lds.org about the church and wanted the DVD's that you can order, Finding Faith in Christ which is good, Restoration, which is really good and The Lamb of God, also good. We brought her all those and then taught her again. I am a little sad that I am leaving because she is the most golden person I have met so far. But I know that there is a reason I am leaving. Remember last week when I said that I really didn't want to leave because I loved Innsbruck, and then I left. That sucked. Haha! I am sad to leave, but excited to see what the future has in store.
The rest of the week was good as well. We are trying to find a lot more people to teach, and now that University is back in session there are tons of students, who are always WAY more open to talking than angry old people so it is exciting! The work is exploding. Even though comparatively to other parts of the world it doesn't seem too great, the work really is progressing here. And the Lord is truly at the head of the work. There is no other way it could progress. One thing that I will not miss about Innsbruck however, is the Street Displays. Some people love them. They aren't my favorite thing in the world. We had one on Friday and lots of people just use it as a way to get their opinions across. As a missionary, you meet a lot of people who have an opinion and they feel as though they have to tell you. I have heard some pretty crazy things to say the least.
I hope you are all doing well. I know this church is true. That Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of the Lord, not only for the church, but for the whole world. It's cool when you think about that. Thanks for all your love and support!
Sincerely,
Elder Connor J. Thompson
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