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