Guten Tag!!

Hallo Familie!

 I am staying here with Elder Chapman, and I am staying in my favourite ward ever, what could be better?  This transfer is going to be the best one ever.  I know it.  We had a really great week.  

So this past week was really good.  We had some funny things, and some awkward things, and sometimes those went together. 

On Tuesday we had exchange and I worked with Elder M.  Don't get me wrong, I love Elder M, but this was the least I have ever wanted to do an exchange in my whole life.  Why you ask me? Is it because I ended up missing an appointment with O? Is it because we met with two other member families? Is it because I really like my companion tons? Is it because I hate being not in Ludwigsburg? Could it be a combination of all of those? (That is the answer there)

Anyways, it was okay.  We didn't do tons which was okay, mostly because my stomach was still not feeling so great after the earlier activities.  But it was a lot of fun. 
On Wednesday we had an appointment with the G family.  They are really sweet by the way.   The younger daughter had some super good questions and was really interested, which was awesome to see.  We have another appointment there on Friday this week, which will be really good. 

On Friday, we had to help out the Elders in Stuttgart with a baptismal interview, and the dumbest thing of all time happened.  So we get on a train and see that we are in a different car than them.  So while it's still there, we  jump out quick and go to run to their car.  No problem, the other doors are still open.  So we go and press the button, and the door doesn't open.  We keep trying and start to go to another one, when we notice that now all of the doors are closed...  Oops...  So we miss that train, and have to wait a half an hour for the next one.  Bummer... But it's okay I suppose.  They met some crazy people, and maybe someone who is way golden so it's all good.  We also had an appointment with the Z's again, and we helped them with service, which meant we got to wear regular clothes.  I think they just said that because they know how much Elders like wearing these clothes.  All we did was dig one hole for a plant.  Maybe a foot and a half deep.  Haha!  Then they taught us how to make Spätzle.  Which is delicious, and good.  I will make it for you when I get back.  How you ask? Because they bought us our very own Spätzle maker (also called a Potatoe Press?), and Elder C said I can take it.  Score!!  We then ate it, and then had an appointment with them and their neighbour who is now an investigator.  Woohoo!!  She's really cool, and likes the missionaries.  

 On Saturday, we had a Finding Day where we were trying to find people the whole day here in Ludwigsburg.  We were able to get 6 people as a district, which is really good actually. 

On Sunday, there was a baptism in the ward, which was really great.  There were quite a few non-members there, which is always nice.  It is a family where the dad is American, and the mom is German, and so his family was here, and it was nice to talk to someone else in English.  I forgot how different people here are then at home.  I wonder how big of a difference it will be.  Not that I don't love people here.  I really do.

Anyways, we came back home with a bunch of leftover cake and then planned for the week. 
All in all it was a really good week.

This week is going to be even better.  We have a lot of good things planned, and we will be able to see a lot of success  if we keep focused.  I am trying hard to work had up until my last day, and not get trunky.  I really don't think I am too trunky, but you never know.  It's a lot easier here though because I really love the members, and it's just such a great place.  And they like us a lot.  For example, we were at the baptism, and they put out all the food first, and I saw some mini-donuts, I was obviously very excited about it, but knew I probably wouldn't get any because of all the primary kids.  So a member and I were making plans how we could get them, and then right before the baptism started a little girl (the members daughter) ran over and handed me a napkin with a donut inside.  Then after the baptism, she ran outside to the food, put 3 on a napkin and ran them over to Elder Chapman and I.  It was super funny.  And very appreciated.

I know that this is the Lord's work.  That no matter what kind of obstacles get in the way, it really will be done the way He wants it to be done. 
Sincerely,

Elder Thompson

Howdy Ya'll

Hey everyone! How are you all doing? I hope that you are doing well.  This week was a really great week.  It went by so fast it was insane!  On Monday we went on a hike to see some ruins.  It was pretty neat, and a lot of fun.  Afterwards we had an appointment with the G family.  They are way cool.  It was a lot of fun.  I really love being with other missionaries and just doing stupid things.  This P-Day was no exception. 

On Tuesday, we had interviews with President Miles which was really good.  I don't know if I have said it before, but I love that man, and I know that he is called of God to lead us here.  It was a little strange because we also had to do a Temple Recommend Interview because mine had expired.  As we talked about it he made the observation, that a temple recommend is good for two years.  And that since mine is no good, it means I have been out here on my mission for a long time.  Which means I am going home soon.  It was weird to here him say that.  But it's true.  But there is nothing I can do about it.  I think I am maybe a lot more honest about that than most missionaries.  It's going to come whether I want it to or not.  And while of course I will be sad to leave, and to close this great chapter of my life, I also will be excited to see you guys.  But it's going to come whether I think about it or not, so I may as well not and just focus on the work here.  Anyways, we also had an exchange that day and I worked with Elder J.   It was really good, and a lot of fun.  He is just in his first transfer, and so you always learn a lot with someone that young. 

On Wednesday we had a super appointment with the W family.  And on Thursday we had a super appointment with the G family.  So now we are actually teaching them the lessons, which is awesome! 

We have also been going extra crazy and talking to EVERYONE! We usually talk to tons of people, but we are talking to everyone, and have seen a ton of success from it.  I am really excited.  Anyways, I gotta go.  I may have gotten distracted by the Mormon Messages, and now we have to run, but I love you guys tons.  Sorry my emails have sort of sucked as of late, but we will Skype soon enough, and then see each other soon too.  Anyways, I love you lots! 

April, April, er macht was er will.

Hey! First of all, sorry that my letter last week was pretty much, non-existent.  And this week, it will be a little shorter as well.  I am sorry about that too. We are going to some castle ruins or something as a district (I am not 100% sure, it's just fun to get together as a group).  I will try to take some pictures, but I make no promises.  Haha! I am really bad at taking pictures.  Which would be okay, but Elder C is bad at it as well.  Oh well... Haha!  

So what is new? Where to begin?  Let's see.  I will just go in point form.

Today I coloured in the 'u' in ''Verkündet Mein Evangelium!'' (the German Preach My Gospel). Which means that I have only two months left.  Which is really crazy I think.  I can't even begin to really comprehend that, but I don't want to spend to much time thinking about it.  Elder C has told me that I am not too trunky, which is always good to hear.

Things with Elder C are awesome.  We still get along super good, and are working hard.  We have had so many people say that we seem like a great team, and that it's really cool for them to see.  Which I think is true.  We have had some really spiritual lessons, and I think it's really good.  Elder C is a great missionary, and often I forget who is new and who is not.  Also he likes to clean.  Which is just wunderbar!

We are still having a bit of troubles finding investigators, which is tough.  We talk to everyone and are trying hard, but people just aren't super excited about it.  Hopefully with the nicer weather they will be a little more open.  We have had some great conversations and taught good stuff on the street, but just keep getting the ''Don't call us, we'll call you''.

As for the people who we are working with, they are making some good progress, and others not as much.  But that's just how things go.

Anyways, I love you all tons!  I hope you have a great week!  

April 8, 2013

Hey mom, sorry I didn't get around to writing today.  We did the Amazing Race as a Zone, and didn't have enough time to write. Sorry! I love you guys lots, things are going really great.  Still hasn't picked up tons, but we are SO CLOSE. 

We are doing really great. Elder Chapman is great.  We are at a members and when I told them I didn't write, the wife made me.  But  I will write tons next week. I love you so much. Conference was WONDERFUL! I should probably say this more often, but thanks for all that you guys do for me so that I can serve a mission.  I am not just saying that because of the Conference Talk (Maybe I am, but I really meant it before the talk too!)

Til next week!!

Happy Easter!

Hey Everyone,

Happy Easter! I hope that you all had tons of fun with all the Easter Eggs, Easter Bunnies, and other fun things that come.  We had a great weekend, and it was a lot of fun to be with the members.

This week was a really great week, and even though it was a lot colder than I would have liked, and we didn't have as much success as we would have liked to have it was good.  First of all on Monday for P-Day we went bowling with some other Elders.  Which was fun.  I almost scored 100, which means that either my sweet skills from Wii Bowling don't transfer to real bowling, or it's just been a long time since I have bowled.  I would be tempted to say both.  Afterwards we had an appointment with the S family.  They are way cool.  And their kids are super funny.  It was just really good. 

On Tuesday, we had our District Meeting, which was tons of fun.  I just always love being with other missionaries.  There is always such a great spirit there.  The new missionaries to the District are really great, and I think we will be able to help each other quite a bit.

On Wednesday, we went by on Sister V, who we did service for last week. 

Thursday, was a good day.  We baked some no-bake cookies for a potential investigator.  I think I have talked about her before.  She was now sick, and we figured that if Sisters take cookies to people all the time, and if Sisters always have investigators maybe we should be more like Sisters.  (Only relating to missionary work.  Nothing else here.)  So we baked no-bake cookies which was hilarious.  Mostly because we kept asking members of the district how hot the oven needed to be, and how long it needed to be in the oven, and so they were all getting super nervous that we were going to burn our apartment down and just have problems.  The Sisters phoned us and got mad at us for it.  The other Elders just made fun of us.  Elder C and I just laughed a ton.  So we made the cookies and they turned out okay (we forgot the butter, so maybe we aren't as good of cooks as we thought) and then gave them to Frau C.  Then we were going to have an appointment with the W family. 

On Friday we had the baptism.  Which was really cool.  I sang in the middle part while B was changing, but it went well, and I was happy with it, so that's all that matters.  We stayed and ate after and then helped clean everything up  Then we tried to go by on some people, but nobody was home and we figured that going door to door on Good Friday wouldn't be super great.  We tried to talk to everyone we saw, and met some 'friendly' Russian men, who gave us their address.  We later found out it was fake.... Great...

On Saturday, we were in Pforzheim for most of the day and were finding. 

On Sunday, we had a Young Women's Presentation.  I don't ever remember having anything like that at home, but I have had two here.  It was pretty good, I suppose.  After church we went to lunch at J's.  Which was pretty good.  I even ate some Salmon.  And I liked it.  I guess it's just because I am so old and mature. 

All in all,  it was a good week.  We are working really well, and get along great.  I really know that Elder Chapman is the answer to many prayers said during times with some 'sweet' companions.  We're making a lot of progress, becoming better missionaries, helping more people, and having a lot of fun. 

Don't forget that you can still send me some letters too if e-mails are too boring.  Haha!

--
Sincerely,

Elder Thompson