Babies!!!

Woohoo!! The babies are here! That is so awesome! What's even more awesome is that when I get back they will be older and more fun.  Not that you aren't having fun with them now, and not that they aren't cute now, but they will just be that much better when I am home.  I am so glad to hear that everything went well and everyone is doing well.  That is crazy that they let you home the next day.  I remember mom saying something about being in the hospital for a week with me and loving it.  Haha!  But in any case, I hope that you are happy and that the girls are letting you sleep a little bit.  

Things this week were really good.  We were unable to go on Segways last week, mostly because it was so stinkin' cold!  It is crazy! And it hasn't even been that cold here compared to what it is at home.  I think if I was there though, I would die.  It is a little funny though how people react when I tell them I am from Canada and then I tell them that I am looking forward to spending another warm Christmas here in Germany.  They often don't believe that.  If they only knew... Haha!

We ended up doing a little bit of shopping, which would explain the email I sent you from a little stand on the road saying that I spent 29€.  And that is just the beginning! Christmas Markets are in full swing, and I want to send home some sweet packages.  Which on a missionary's budget is a little tough.  But on a missionary budget with mom's credit card, I think I can manage it.  

On Tuesday, we had our district meeting, which was really good.  We have a Sister here who is doing a mini-mission (She is as a missionary for 2 weeks, and is from Munich), and so it was good.  Our District is really great, and afterwards we had the opportunity to have a finding day in Pforzheim (Sister's Area).  We also did an exchange then so I worked with Elder M, it was a lot of fun.  We spent the evening in Heilbronn where he works contacting people and then we traded back to our normal companions Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday, it was cold and wet, and rainy.  I bought an umbrella, which I then proceeded to break (accidentally, I ran into a roof.  (I think I have bought about 10 umbrellas and broken 10 of them.  (No worries though they are only like 2€.  Oops...)

I think one of the toughest things about a mission is that we want everything to happen in 6 weeks, whereas the rest of the world does not seem to think in transfers.  (Other than mothers of missionaries).  We spent the rest of the evening trying to get in contact with some less actives, but ended up cold and hungry and tired.  Which has happened a lot since I have been here.  I didn't realize how nice it was to be in a car area, but walking everywhere and then having to wait for trains and buses is not that fun.  It does mean that I will hopefully get to work off some of the German goodies that I will be eating.  We have quite a few more eating appointments here than I have in other areas so that is nice.  And we are going to get a Meal Calender next week!  Woohoo!!!  (Doesn't that seem strange to be excited about? Missionaries at home are so spoiled...)

On Thursday, we went and had lunch with a member here named J.  I don't know what to tell you about J other than that he is awesome.  He knows everything about the ward ins and outs (which is important to know, to a certain degree).    We were going to do Segways with him, and today we are going to go to the Christmas Market together.  It will be a lot of fun.  After that I got registered here in Bietigheim (which is the only 100% debt free city in Germany, 

Things here are going really good.  The members are warming up to the missionaries here, and we have gotten quite a few people who they have told us to go by on, which Elder H said didn't happen at all last transfer.  I think the Bishop is really making part member families an emphasis, and we are for sure as well.  It is going to be really good. I love you guys a lot! Have a great week, take pictures! Say hi to Spencer for me.  It seems so strange that he is home.  I remember him leaving like it was just a couple of months ago, and I feel like I barely left after him.  Yikes!!  Time is going so fast!  I love you guys so much! Stay safe and warm! Drink some Egg Nog for me.  They don't have that here, and I am afraid to try too many of the local drinks.  Germans and their beer... sigh...

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Sincerely,

Elder Thompson