November 28, 2011

Hey Family! Hopefully this letter will be a little better as we get a normal P-Day! Haha! Elder W is out of the hospital and is doing fine. They are not sure if they are going to have to go home or not though. On Sunday, with President Miles, they thought they would have to go home for thirty to sixty days, but about three or four days ago, they got a call from President Miles and he said that the Doctors in Salt Lake wanted to look over his tests and make sure he needed to come home, and if he didn't need to, then they would just finish their mission and then go home to have the tests. They are hoping that this evening they will figure out (it was Thanksgiving Weekend, so nobody was working in America) and then decide what to do. It is nerve wracking for me, so I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through, but whatever happens will be for the best. If they do go home, there is a chance we may get to keep the car, which would be AMAZING! We got it all last week, and it was much nicer than riding a bike. I don't think I have ever been so cold at home, but then I realize that at home if it was cold, the last thing I would do is be outside, let alone ride a bike around. But, such is missionary life. Speaking of missionaries, when to J and J come home? It has got to be pretty soon doesn't it? And are they on a proselyting mission or just a humanitarian one? Either way that is cool. And waiting 13 years to go when you are 65 is okay. As long as you actually do it! Maybe you and Ben could go to the same mission? That would be fun eh?

So this week has been slightly less busy, but always busy. It is strange. We started off on Tuesday by having exchanges, and I worked with Elder B, from New York State. It was really good. We also picked the W's up and brought them back to their house. I couldn't believe that he was out of the hospital the day after he got his Pacemaker, but his opinion was ''I can be sick and lay around there in a German hospital where they feed me gross food, or be sick and lay around at home where my wife makes me good food.'' I like his thought process. Haha!

We also met with T again.

On Wednesday, we met with H. Who is awesome. Did I mention that he is the greatest German War Veteran American Country/Folk Singer of all time? Because it is very true. He is hilarious. We have him phone us every night to tell us what he has been reading, and the other night he just called and sang us some Christmas Songs, then told us about 3rd Nephi. It was awesome.

On Saturday things were really good. A member family made us Thanksgiving dinner (We actually went over there again on Sunday because she wanted us to have the real experience and eat the leftovers, except she made all new potatoes and everything except for the turkey.) Which was good. They have 3 young kids and then us and the W's went there so 9 of us. And they had a 8.5 kg turkey. Which is insane! Especially because in Germany (and I would assume all of Europe maybe?) they do not really prepare the turkey at all. As in, the neck was still on it (Sister W got a picture of it luckily that I will try and get and send home. It was nasty) and the heart and all the organs were inside. It was nice. Haha! But tasted delicious! There family is awesome. I really like them a lot.

On Sunday we had a Primary Presentation. Which was awesome. Exactly like at home too. There was a boy like J H who just made stupid faces in the back the whole time, kids fighting, funny testimonies from kids. Everything. It was awesome. I was really good and made things feel like home a lot more. Elder B somehow fell asleep in it, but it was so funny. I really like the branch here a lot!

We have been really busy trying to find new people to teach and haven't had too much success, but saw one thing that I think is crazy!

So we had an appointment at 26 S but we told our Joint Teach it was at 22 S so we were waiting there for him to come and thought, 'Well, why don't we just door in this building anyways while we wait'. So we went in and talked to this guy about the Book of Mormon and he was like 'Wait, I already have one of these' and then he went inside and got his out. It was like from the 60's and had a testimony in it. He had just assumed that it was the Author's signature and had bought it in case it would be worth some money later on, but never really read too much. He had read a little bit and was interested, but not enough to phone us or anything. So we made an appointment with him and I am really excited. What are the chances of something like that happening? It was a really cool thing to see.

Well, I better go soon. Weihnachtsmarkts are waiting! (Christmas Markets!) I love you guys a lot.

Sincerely, Elder Connor J. Thompson

This has been the craziest week!

Hello there!

First of all, with the Woods. So Elder and Sister W were shopping on Saturday and he collapsed in the middle of the grocery store, and they took him to the hospital to have an Angiogram because there was something wrong with his EKG, (maybe that is the test? Something with some letters in it). Anyways, they took a couple tests and then we waited at the hospital with Sister W for a good bit, and then we went to pick up their car and then we took care of her and dropped her off and made sure she was doing okay. Elder W was even fine when we saw him the hospital. He was giving Pass-Along Cards to all of the nurses and making jokes and every time they would bring him a meal (which in German Hospitals is bread and ham and a couple vegetables) he would be like, Where is the Steak? Haha! He's such a great guy. We have been with them a lot this weekend. On Sunday when we were there they got some of the test results back and they realzed that it would be best to put a pacemaker in, and they would do that Monday morning. We weren't sure what time it would be at and so on Monday morning we phoned them, and then they said "Well, we are about to go in to surgery pretty soon" We raced over as fast as we could, we had prayed that all of the lights would be green and that we would be able to get there as fast as possible (safely of course. I still drive like an Old Man). And all of the lights were green, it was a great blessing. When we got there, he wasn't there and Sister W was sitting there and said that they had taken him about 5 minutes ago, so we were too late. We waited there with her for about 5 minutes and then he came back because they had just done some of the tests, and then he had to change into his "robe". They said he had 5 minutes to go to the bathroom and change. In that time, we gave him a blessing and right as we finished, the nurses came in. What a blessing that we were able to give him that blessing before and that there was a way that we were able to help him. While we waited with Sister W, we just tried to keep her mind off of things and keep her busy. We talked for a good while, and I learned about how amazing the W's are. She said that the more that she thought about it, the more thankful she was that it happened when it did and it was such a blessing because if it had been about 20 minutes later, they would have been on the highway, and if he would have been unconscious while driving it probably would not have been as good. I was blown away by how grateful she was for that, and how she was able to look on the bright side of things like that. I probably would be too stressed to even worry about anything like that. .

So Monday was a good day, we had a lot of fun in Passau with the other missionaries. Then after that, we had an Family Home Evening with the W's and some investigators, it was a lot of fun!

On Tuesday, we had an appointment with T, our baptismal candidate, and we taught the Word of Wisdom, apparently that is the worst lesson for investigators, but he was fine with it. We talked about it, and he has been doing good with it since. So almost a week, which is really good! After that we had an appointment with H. Did I tell you how much I love this man? He is the funniest person. Probably the coolest German War-Veteran American Country Singer that the world has ever met. When I got here he was so different. He had been investigating the church for about 4 years or so, and didn't really do too much, but loved the missionaries. He would always play his banjo and everything for them, and so teaching really took a backseat, he hasn't played his banjo once since I have been here, and it is really showing. He has overcome a lot of the problems that he had before, he has been coming to church pretty much every week (I think he has missed two weeks since I have been here) and has been reading in his scriptures every day. We are hoping that we can get him baptized soon because he is really ready. He adores the W's and today he and his less-active Sister are going to go visit them. He always calls them Mister and Misses W's and is just soo funny. He almost fell over when he found out that Mister W's was in the hospital.

On Wednesday we went to Freising to teach a former investigator and then we taught the Young Men and Young Women about missionary work. It was interesting to see their ideas on Missionaries because none of them have had siblings or parents that have been on missions. It was fun. I really love the ward here.

On Thursday we met some really good people and then had a wonderful eating appointment with a member. When they feed the missionaries here, they feed them. It is really good. And I blame my fatness on them. Haha! Riding bikes is never fun though (one reason the car is even nicer. And we might get to keep it when the W's are gone! Hopefully!)

On Friday, we also had an eating appointment, I think we had about 3 this week which is good and we will have at least three this next week. One member who lived in America for a year is making us Thanksgiving on Saturday and we are going to be with them a lot, which is good. And I think she might even make Sweet Potatoes! mmmm.....

Anyways, I am out of time. I am safe and well, and as long as I drive and not Elder B, it should remain that way. Haha! It's not that bad actually. Well... yeah it is.

Anyways. I love you guys a lot. Thanks for all the letters this week (0). Haha! It's okay though. I love you a lot. I pray for you every day. Be safe, help the missionaries, and feed them. They will appreciate it, and I could use some good karma right about now.

Greetings from Landshut, for another 6 weeks

Hey! So in case the title was too vague, I am staying here in Landshut with Elder B. We are going to have to work hard this transfer. It is strange, because this is the first time for both of us that nothing is changing in a transfer. I have no idea what it will be like, but hopefully good.
This week has been crazy busy! And I only have like 15 more minutes. We are going to Passau today because it was Elder C's birthday and we are going to surprise him. I am excited. I have no idea what we will do there, but with 6 missionaries (2 from Landshut, 2 from Passau, 2 from NeuÖtting (Where the Pope is from. Weird....)) we will probably be able to figure something out.
We have really been working with our investigator T this week who has a baptismal date. We are working hard on keeping things simple for him. Which is good. There is a quote in Preach My Gospel that talks about how we don't need to teach so simple that people understand, but we need to teach to simply that people cannot misunderstand. Which is something that I think a lot of Mormon's, especially those of us who grew up in the gospel have problems with. We just grew up with all of these words and things, but if a Kurdish person from Iran, doesn't really have the same background. I don't know if I told you about T or not. But he is a really good guy. Such a sad story.
Another highlight of this week was that we got to watch the Sunday Afternoon Session of Conference. It was sooo good. I LOVED Elder Cook's talk. I think about 15 people a day ask us how if there is a God, how can children be starving in Africa. So that is a really good talk for that. And so many investigators have that question. It was a really good answer to many prayers not knowing what to do. It was also good to have a couple talks about missionary work, and the one about teaching was fantastic. I really, really liked that talk. I actually liked them all. I am excited that I get three more Conferences as a missionary. Which is weird to measure time with those, but it works. I am about 1/4 done. And time has gone by sooooo soooo fast. I can't hardly believe it.
This week was good because we did a lot of exchanges, I got to work with the two new missionaries in our district (they have been out here for 6 weeks) and it was very interesting to see. It made me feel old on my mission, which I shouldn't. I have only been here for 3 transfers, and people usually have about 15 or so. So, I still have a lot of time. And it's only going to get faster. I really learned a lot from them, about what a missionary should be doing. That sounds weird, but you know how kids say the darndest things? New missionaries are the same. They know what a good missionary does, and they try to do it. They haven't been out long enough to be lazy or other things like that, so it is exciting to see, and helped me to really rethink my mission.
I hope that you guys are having fun at home and doing well. I got all of my letters from Innsbruck the other day and it was weird. I got a letter from Grandma Pat, telling me about the family reunion that was taking place the same day I got it. It was fun. I am glad that the Michi's are doing well. Did I ever tell you that I saw some Mischi's while dooring? Is that what Grandpa's name used to be before he changed it? I feel like something like that happened. Who knows.
I heard about the missionaries in Texas, that is really sad, and makes us ride safer. We don't cut corners, go single file, and don't go on the busy roads if we can help it. I guess they were needed for another mission though? You probably won't let me extend my mission now though eh?
Sorry this letter is so short, today is crazy because we are taking the train about 2 hours. So we have to leave early. I love you guys a lot. I know this church is true. The more I study it, the more I love it.
I love you a lot. Thanks for the support and love!


Sincerely,

Elder Connor J. Thompson

November 7, 2011

Hello Family! It is letter time again! I hope that things are going really well for you. Things here have been interesting this week. They have been difficult, but they have really been good for learning. Hah! I can't believe that I have been in Landshut 5 weeks already. It is insane how fast time goes. Spencer has just hit his year mark hasn't he? Or is it in a couple more weeks. Either way. That boggles my mind. That he will be back in a year. I can't imagine what things will be like in a year though. It's weird. I think every missionary always thinks of what things will be like on their mission a tiny bit, but what it will be like to be a return mission, a lot of the time. It's weird.
I have sooo many questions for the missionaries at home when I get back. I can only imagine what a supper appointment every day would be like. Actually, we had three this week, which is really good! Actually, in Landshut 3 a week is about the average, except C, who just got baptized and fed us once a week for the past couple weeks is moving away, so that is no good, but the Branch is warming up to the missionaries, so that is good. I think it will only get better. I hope!
On Tuesday, we went on an exchange. Well, Elder B went to Munich to work with one of the Zone Leader's, and I worked with the other one here in Landshut. I am proud to say that after 5 weeks here, I only got lost once, and that was in Ergolding, the little town where the church is, and that is because I had only been there once. Tuesday was an interesting day to say the least. We had about 6 appointments that seemed pretty solid, but all of them except for one fell out. Which is really hard. Especially when it is a little chilly and you have to ride your bike all over. Finally one appointment went through with T. It was a really good lesson, and we taught him the 2nd Lesson (Plan of Salvation) He really liked it, and asked a lot of good questions. It was amazing when he asked if drinking beer was okay, and we said ''What do you think'', he told us he didn't think so because when he thought about Jesus Christ, he didn't want to drink beer, and he didn't want to fight or do bad things, and Jesus Christ was a big example for him. We were like ''Yes! That is true!'' It was the best answer ever. It is always nice when investigators figure things our by themselves. That is really what missionary work is. We are there to help them understand things, but they have to want the change, and they have to make the change themselves.
On Wednesday, we did a service project. Which missionaries love!!! At least in our mission. If we have anything the missionaries can do (other than shovel, that one is no fun) than we should get them to help, or with less-active families. We went by on a less-active lady on Tuesday and she mentioned that she wanted to paint her entry way so we offered to come back and help. It was really good. She has three unbaptized children, so we are hoping to work with the branch and help them a lot more to become active again. After that, we had an appointment with C, who was baptized on Sunday. She made us Pfannkuche Suppe (Pancake Soup) which was delicious. I LOVE food here. And the food isn't too bad. It's the milk (The lowest fat we can find is 1.5%) and all the candy, and yogurt (I saw one that was 200g of yogurt and it had 10% of my daily intake of fat and carbohydrates. That will take you up some weight classes!). After that we helped teach an English Class to an investigator, E.
On Thursday, we did our studies and everything and went out to our bikes to go for the day, and Elder B's bike was missing! It was a little unfortunate. I don't know why, but I thought it was really funny. I think I was still a little tired. They left his lock, one of the combination ones, and his helmet in a nice little pile where his bike used to be, so it was nice that he didn't have to buy a new helmet. We are pretty sure that they figured out his combo because it is a pretty old lock, so we got a new one, and on Friday we got him a nice new bike. Did I tell you about my bike. I named it ''The Purple Bandit'' It is a nice mixture of pink at the front that turns to a dark, majestic purple in the back. It is really elegant. Elder B also has a purple bike now instead of the ''Blue Devil (something from sports in North Carolina? I think the joke was lost on me as soon as it was about basketball). Anyways, since we were bike-less on Thursday, we had a little bit of a harder time getting around, but we made the best of it. One thing that I have really learned is that there is no use crying over spilt milk, I guess in our case, no case crying about your companion's lost bike. Haha! And if we laugh about it, things are much easier. One cool appointment we had on Thursday was with R, a less-active member who works in a comic book shop. It was weird to see all of that nerdy stuff in German, but funny. She was really funny, and not your typical German, she was super funny and awesome. I really like her. I want to help a lot of the less-active people here because there are TONS of them! It is insane how many there are, and I think that is just as important as baptisms. Maybe moreso because they already made the covenants and so they need to keep them.
Friday was a good day too. We got a new bike, as stated before. And, Elder B only ran into one thing with it. I thought I was bad with bikes. Haha! I think it was something a little smaller like a mail-box, so that is good! Last time, it was a car. With someone sitting in it. Strangely, he wasn't too happy about it. Germans are very serious about their cars. Very, serious! We had an appointment with an older man who had the thickest accent I have ever heard. A Bavarian accent, is... nice. Haha! I will leave it at that because I need to learn to love it, but pretty much with Swiss German, which is terrible, and then Wien accent, which I have heard is a little ugly too, to Bavarian, and Tirolisch and others it is interesting to say the lease! But it was good. We were going to teach him the non smoking workshop, but the lady he was going to do it with stood him up, so we just taught him, which is fine by me. After in the evening we had another good appointment with T.
Saturday was interesting as well. We had an appointment with Herr F, who is awesome. He is just an awesome old man. We also did a service project for C and helped her pack and dejunk her apartment. It was weird to wear Jeans and do things not missionary like. But nice. Haha! I don't know if it is bad of me to enjoy not wearing dress pants, but sometimes a pair of jeans is just nice. She made us Maltaschen. Which are hilarious. Maybe I told you the story of them. I don't know. But it was invented by these monks who weren't allowed to eat pork. So they would sneakily kill pigs, and then put it inside of these noodles so that God couldn't see (noodles are impervious?) and then they would sneakily eat the pork. Either way. It is delicious! She made us some homemade and it was so good.
Sunday was a good day. We went to a family's house after church and it was really good. She lived in Utah for a year, and they are not typical European people so their house was nice and a little bit like Matt and Kari's, design wise. It was really nice. They made us some homemade lasagna, and crepes. It was really good and they were super fun. I love the members here.
On Sunday there was a baptism from the branch in NeuÖtting, which is awesome! The Pope comes from about 5 minutes away, and it is the first one that they had in over 12 years! Which is awesome! Unfortunately, we weren't able to go to it, but it is a miracle. The work in our mission is really moving forward. Slowly, and surely. I am so excited to be here for it too.

Things are going good though. Transfer calls are on Friday, which is pretty crazy! So it will be interesting to see what happens. Thanks for everything that you guys do for me. I love you a lot!

Sincerely,

Elder Connor J. Thompson