Baby Time

Hey everyone!  How are you all doing?  It sounds like you are all going to have a very busy day today.  I am too.  We are going to ride some Segways and go look at castles, the usual things one would do in Germany.  Hopefully we can do a little better than all you old people did on your cruise :).  Haha!  Your day may be a little better than mine, maybe a little more intense, but good.  Know that I am for sure praying for you all, and especially the twins.  Since I don't get to find out their names until next week probably, I will just pray for Heidi and Gretl.  .  I have never ridden a Segway or had twins in the family so both will actually be once in a life time experiences for me.  I am pumped for both.  Haha!  Really excited.
Anyways, things this week were pretty crazy with transfers and what not.  But still a really good week.  On Monday, we didn't really do tons since I was packing.  On Tuesday, we had District Meeting in Singen, and it was a really good experience.  I am really going to miss the Elders there, and actually may not see them for quite a while, but I suppose nowadays with the internet and everything it's not too crazy because we can just all be Facebook Friends.  We also had an appointment with the K family in Bad Säckingen.  They are way cool.  They have two little kids, and it was weird to notice the difference they had made since I got to Bad Säckingen.  Especially their daughter.  She was still in the womb when I got there!  She changed quite a bit in the past 6 months.  Hah!
On Wednesday we got everything ready,  We went by on a couple people to say good bye, and then went to the Titz for supper, and they made... SCHNITZEL!  Woohoo!  Have I told you all about how much I love Schnitzel before? It is so good.  I really need to find me a lady who can cook German food.  It was sad leaving the Titz since they have done so much for the missionaries there, and especially for me (especially because in the past couple of weeks we had been working quite a bit on a Ward Mission Plan), but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was silly to be sad since I will for sure be seeing them again when we come to Europe.  Plus they want to come to Canada so maybe they can come visit us! 
On Thursday was the big transfer.  It was pretty ridiculous I am not going to lie.  I think to understand the craziness of this all you would need to look at a map.  So, ideally I could have just taken a train from Bad Säckingen to Singen, then get on a train that would take me to Stuttgart, and then take a train from Stuttgart to Ludwigsburg (they are so close, that it is actually on the tram line, not even a train so-to-speak).  What the plan was however, was we take a train to Basel (in Switzerland), then from there take a train to Zurich.  Then a train to Munich.  Then a train to Stuttgart, and then to Ludwigsburg (Actually, Bietigheim where we live, but that's beside the point).  Look at the map and see if that makes sense to you.  It was crazy.  Instead we phoned and got permission to drive to Zurich instead, and then still had to go from Zurich to Munich to Stuttgart, but it was a little nicer.  The worst part was actually for Elder Hansen who had to wait in the Zurich Bahnhof for 13 hours for his companion to come there from Munich.  Ouch...
Needless to say, after a day like that I was super tired. 
On Friday, we went out and went to work.  Elder H, my new companion, is great.  He is one of the most happy people who I have ever met.  We have a couple people who sound really good, but I haven't been able to meet them yet.  But we actually have a couple appointments lined up for this next week, and we also talked with the bishop to find out part member families who we could be working with so that will help too. 
As for Saturday, not a whole lot happened that is of note.
On Sunday, we also had out Primary Presentation.  It was so awesome.  They are so much funnier to me in German.  Weirder is the Primary Songs.  Especially because now I feel like I have just gotten used to hearing everything in a different language, so when I go home and hear things in English again that will be weird.  The ward here is pretty big.  I think there were about 110 or 120 people in church on Sunday.  Which was INSANE!  Especially because there were 45 Primary kids, so almost half the ward.  There are just tons of young families here, so it is really neat.  I am excited to work with them all. We also have an actual church building, which I haven't had since I was in Landshut (in Ingolstadt and Bad Säckingen we were in rented spaces), so that is cool too.  And we have Sacrament Meeting in the first hour and not in the last one too!  (Shouldn't be that big of a deal.  But it is)
On Sunday because of all the craziness though, we weren't invited to eat, which I was a little bummed about because things were so crazy and I didn't really get the chance to meet too many people, and then I just felt so strange being in such a strange, big ward, where I didn't know anyone, which is different from Bad Säckingen where I knew everyone.  So while we were making the walk back to the train station I was praying that someone would drive by and honk and then pick us up, but it didn't happen.  So we got to the train station, and then sat down, rather depressed.  I know that sounds weird to be upset about something so simple.  And I don't know why it was so upsetting to me, but for whatever reason it was.  I think being on a mission here is a little different because we are so much more part of the ward, and we really get to know the members a lot better and work with them a lot more.  Luckily, the Bishop phoned and asked if we were busy, we told him we weren't and then he offered to pick us up and take us to his house to eat with his family.  Which we gladly accepted.  He has such a great family. His kids are 11, 10 and 2.  And super funny.  Their youngest son who is 2 is just in the phase where he is always talking.  And it was so funny, and reminded me a lot of how Dex probably is now (Luca Jay (the little boy) turns 3 in April).  It was so great.  He also said that he would work on making sure we were invited over a lot more and especially make sure that we are well taken care of around Christmas and for the other holidays.  Which was very nice to hear.  That is my week in a nutshell.  Not really anything crazy or spectacular, but I have learned that those are not the things that make up missions, or even life in general.  It really is the small and simple things that make the biggest difference, just like it says in Alma 37.  I love you guys a lot!  I will make sure to pray at 4:30 right when the Kari is induced, and will also pray that you can get some sleep with them as well.  I have a feeling they might not sleep the best at first.  Sorry!  I love you guys tons!

My new address is:
Elder Connor Thompson
Kirche Jesu Christi, HLT
125/1 Stuttgarterstrasse
74321, Bietigheim-Bissingen
Deutschland

 Bring on the letters!  We live in a sort of sketchy place.  Not enough to be really worried.  But maybe a prayer or two wouldn't hurt.  Hah!!
--
Sincerely,

Elder Thompson

Is it Thursday Yet??

Hey Family,
How are you guys doing? I hope that things are going good.  November is always the longest and most boring month, so I hope that you aren't having to deal with that.  Has winter started there? It's been pretty chilly here as of late, but luckily we haven't had any snow that has accumulated yet. 

 First of the big thing of this week was, Transfer Calls.  We found out on Friday Morning that I am going to serve in Ludwigsburg, which is just outside of Stuttgart.  Which will be neat.  I read in Grandpa's Book that he actually lived there for a little bit, so that will be neat.  I don't think that he was there too long, but it's still neat to think about.  It will also be the first time on my whole mission where I will actually be in a Ward.  Which will be weird.  All my other areas up to this point have been smaller branches, but now to be in a ward will be good.  Especially because I will be here for Christmas and New Year's, both of which are really huge in Germany.  (The next Transfer will end on January 4th).  Hopefully it means that we will have tons of invites and it won't be as lame as Easter was this year (Elder M and I walked home talking to a crazy lady for an hour and then went home and made frozen Chicken Wings.  Delicious.  Haha!).  I am also going to be working with Elder H, who is someone that I actually know, and we got along pretty well.  I am excited.  It will be nice to have a companion who I can be friends with, and hopefully not have to worry about all of the problems that we had this transfer. 

 
As for things this week, it was pretty slow.  B was sick so we couldn't meet with him and the E's were super busy so we could only see them when they came to the Young Men's activity on Wednesday (we made Hamburgers.  I ate three of them.  It was so good.  But that was a decision I regretted late for sure. :)   It did help me decide that when I get home I think the first meal that I want to eat is some nice tasty 5 Guys.  Mmmmm).  We spent some time contacting, but it really didn't bring too much in the way of results, which is tough.  It just sometimes feels like we are banging our heads against the wall, but hopefully something will change soon. 
Other noteworthy events of the week were:
We went to the T's and had Raclette.  It was so good.  The only problem is that a lot of cheese makes you feel like you are going to explode and the rest of the day you feel like it was Thanksgiving and have no desire to even move. 
We were in Singen on Friday and had a Finding Day there.  I was able to work with Elder S, and with Elder H.  Elder S is awesome.  He actually might even be coming to Canada the summer when he gets back to work for Vivent.  (Hah).  I may have told him he could live at our house.  In a joking way.  But it would be way fun!  Haha!  It was nice to just work.  

 On Sunday, I gave my good bye testimony and only started to cry a little bit.  Then I was like, 'It's ironic that in our family we would always make fun of my dad for crying, and now here I am crying in church.  I think it must be genetic or something.'.  It was nice.  I am going to miss the members here a lot.  They are so great.  I for sure want to come back here at some point and visit.  It will be great. 
Honestly, not a whole lot else happened.  It was kind of a blah week.  Next week will for sure be great though.  I am really excited for it!  (Maybe a little more than I should be).
Glad to hear all is well with the twins and what not.  I will for sure be praying for them.  Glad to hear that Liam is also getting a little better around Oma and Opa.  I heard he was having a tough time adjusting, so it's good he's getting used to it now. 
I love you guys a lot!  I will write a much better email next week.  We are just in a sketchy internet shop/casino place that is gross.  Europeans.... ugh...  Haha! 


--
Sincerely,

Elder Thompson

17 months!

Hey family!  How are you all doing?  First of all, in case I don't get to write you back individually, thanks for the e-mails everyone!  That was awesome.  The videos were especially nice it's weird to see how big Aiden and Dex were, and the pictures were also sweet.  It took me a little while to realize that it was a picture of Lukas.  I couldn't figure out who it was.  Hah!  I have been gone fora long time.  It's weird to then try and think how big they will be in 7 more months.  Crazy how fast life goes.

This week was insanely fast.  Yesterday, I asked Elder H where the week went.  It took us a while to remember everything, but I will try to tell you everything.

So Monday, he had a fun District P-Day where we just hung out and played games at the church. (Monopoly... ugh...)  But it was okay.  After that, I ended up going to Villingen-Schwenningen on an exchance with Elder R.  He is from Utah, and pretty new on his msission, but it was a pretty good exhange nonetheless.  I always forget how much fun it is to work with other missionaries.  You learn a lot of new stuff, and it's just nice to have a break in all honesty.  Haha!

On Tuesday, we had an appointment that fell out, and then didn't really do anything else special for the rest of the day.  

On Wednesday, we went back to Singen for our District Meeting and then we exchanged back so Elder H and I went back to the Bad Säck together.   We were invited to the Young Men's activity where we played soccer.  Which is also fun.  Fortunately the young women were playing as well so I wasn't the worst player there.  I felt pretty good about my soccer abilities in comparison.  Gotta love the Miamaids...  We have been working hard to help A to come to the activities so that he will feel better about coming to church.  I don't know exactly if it has been making a huge impact, but I think it has helped a little bit.  

On Thursday, we had to take our car to get fixed.  I don't know if I mentioned that we have a car or not.  But we do.  So that meant that we were stranded in Rheinfelden (another city nearby) for a while, so we talked to some people there and then got the car back and had an appointment with the T's.  I really can't tell you how much I love them.  They are so awesome.  If you guys come back and pick me up, or if we come to Europe to visit people (you will then of course have to bring me) we for sure need to visit them.  Plus they also speak really good English, so you wouldn't have to worry about anything. 

On Friday we had an appointment with B.  It was... B...  Yeah.  That describes it about as much as it needs to be.  Hah!  One day he will be a member and be baptized, but at the moment it just takes him so long.  But the members like him and ask us to help him, so that's what we will do.  We are working hard to work better with the members, and so when they ask us to do things, we do them.  And when they ask us not to do things, we don't do them. 

Nothing too special happened on Saturday that I can remember.  Time just goes so fast, and lots of the time the days just blend together.  Haha!  It's pretty bad though that I can't remember what happened three days ago.  

On Sunday we had Stake Conference in Zurich.  It was really neat because we got a new Stake Presidency so two area 70's were there.  President and Sister Miles were also there and both spoke in German.  Every time they do that, it takes away any excuse that any missionary ever had about having difficulty with the language.  They are so awesome.  And President Miles is so funny.   I love President Miles.  He is such a great example of how we need to be ourselves when we are doing missionary work, and how we can have fun, and how we need to have fun when we do this work.  That's something that I am really trying to work on.  Just being me, and doing the work the best that I can.

I gotta go though.    Transfer calls are this week, and I am really excited (in case you couldn't tell).  Who knows what will happen?  I have no idea.  In any case, I will let you know next week.  Say hi to everyone!

Sincerely,

Elder Thompson

November Already

Hey everyone!  How are you all doing? Can you believe that it is already November?  I most certainly cannot.  Crazy! And elections are tomorrow.  That will be interesting.  There have still been some strange articles about Romney and the church in the Newspaper.  It's funny because they are so surprised that the church doesn't say anything that members need to vote for him (like that would do them any good in Germany...), and then they manage to put in something to the effect of ''the church was really great.  I felt very welcome and it was such a family friendly environment.  The kids were all well behaved (I don't believe that one :D), and it was a great place of worship to Jesus Christ''.  But that is always the non-important part.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  I think that in either case, the church will still be watched more because of Romney, and so that will be interesting to see what happens, however it will just be nice to know what happens.  All the suspense is killing me!  Not really though...
Also, before I go any further.  I forget to say Happy Birthday to Aiden.  It just kind of slipped by before I even realized it.  Sorry I am such a terrible and uncle and don't send anything cool or do anything.  Hopefully he will be too young to remember it.  Haha!  Good to hear that all is well with the twins.  It is still so crazy to me that it's for real.  It probably won't seem real until I get home.  I was thinking about how you are supposed to tell them apart when they are babies.  I have no idea.  How do you do that.  The only baby twins I remember were the Lafontaine's, but one of their babies was super hairy and the other was not at all.  I guess that could work. 
On Tuesday, we had District Meeting which was a lot of fun.  We are supposed to be doing a lot more role-plays, which are miserable.  You should ask the missionaries to do them with you.  They would have tons of fun.  They are really good to help us learn how we can be better, but sometimes tough.  We did two different ones, that were more just for fun.  One was teaching a lesson where you could only say one sentence, and then you and your companion would have to switch off.  The other was where you and your companion would have to switch off every word.  Suffice it to say, it was pretty tough, but it was funny.    As a missionary, one really learns how to apply everything to the gospel.
 We had a decent lesson with B this week, and he came to church where Brother T sort of laid the smack down on him and was like, ''You keep trying to find the truth in all of these places and looking at who knows what on the internet, you have everything need right here in the scriptures.  You keep going around here and there, but we are trying to bring you up to your Father in Heaven, and help you develop a relationship so you can do it yourself.  He seemed to take it pretty well and was excited about it.  He also has been reading lots of stuff from General Conference so that will be good for him too. 
Other than that the biggest thing that we did this week was a finding day in Villingen-Schwenningen.  It was pretty good.  We worked together (Elder H and I) and then we did some splits and I worked with an Aaronic Priesthood holder from their ward.  He was way cool.  It's strange to think how old I am.  Not that I am old, but I still feel like I still need to be one of the nerds in Priest's Quorum who just eats the candy from the bishop's office, and mumbles and everything.  Where did I start growing up?  Strange...  But it was a really good experience, and a lot of fun.
Other than that not a whole lot happened this past week.  Things are slow, but I have learned that it's how we deal with the tough times that make a difference.  Any missionary can be happy when he is having success.  I have really learned what a choice it is to be happy.  It's something I want to improve on, why wouldn't I?
I love you guys a lot.  Glad to hear that everyone survived Halloween.  I'm proud to see the nephews with the pillow cases as well.  I hope that parents claimed 'Candy Tax', and I hope they stacked all their stuff up and then traded with everyone.  That was always the best part of Halloween.  Say hi to everyone for me!  Love you!


--
Sincerely,

Elder Thompson