Day 14: They Still Don't Know I'm Catholic

Hey there all!! Another week in Provo but it's weird that it's also my last! Can you believe the snow?? In September?! Geez.... The low in Santa Rosa in January and February is usually about 50 but most of the time it's about 70 which is great! Needless to say, I was a tad unprepared for this sudden cold weather! To start off the week, last Tuesday night, Elder Quentin Cook came and talked about the love that we need to have as missionaries. It was such a great talk and it was cool to see an actual Apostle of the Lord! It was so crazy. The rest of the week was filled with class which has gone from feeling like forever, to feeling like it just flies by. There aren't many other things that go on at the MTC. I'm sitting in choir practice right now typing this because we went to the temple today and that kind of cut my time for writing. The temple is always great though, it never dissappoints. I'm grateful to have so many temples close to my house since there isn't a temple in my mission. It's crazy to think that by this time a week from now, I will be out on the streets in Cali. That's when the real work begins. I'm excited to finally start serving the people of Santa Rosa. The most interesting thing that happened within the past 24 hours was that we got Subway sandwiches for dinner last night.

As the departing Elders left the MTC (McDougal), we were gifted with a mini fridge for our Dr Pepper and a wooden ladder that everyone signs when they leave. That's about all I can remember for now haha and it's time to practice singing. I hope all is well back in the 801 and other places too. Thank you for all of the prayers,  I can feel them.

Go Jesus. 

-Elder Thompson

9.19.17 WELCOME TO THE MTC, it's GREAT

Hey everyone! Greetings from Provo Utah at the Missionary Training Center! This week was filled with ups and downs and it was pretty crazy. I got dropped off by my family after taking some pictures by the temple and then I was able to be picked up by one of my best friends! Elder Bryce Orton! That was pretty great. Then I had to go through a bunch of lines getting name badges and stuff... it was okay. Then I went to my room, shared a Dr Pepper with Bryce, and then he dropped me off at class. It was way hot and I was wearing a suit so I was sweating through my white shirt so I'm sure I made a good impression on my district! My companion's name is Elder Hutchinson. He is from Buhl, Idaho which is in the Twin Falls area and he is interesting to say the least.... He's a nice kid  but he doesnt really ever talk during lessons and he always just repeats stuff that I say. We call it "the echo" haha.
Every day is just class then a meal and then more class and teaching and stuff. It's not very exciting but I've found that I feel great whenever I'm feeling the Spirit in class. That's something that has helped me out a ton.
Every night we do a Zone prayer, song, and thought and then all of the Elders hug afterward right before bed. It's a great way to end each day and I will for sure miss that in the coming weeks. Everyone offers advice to each other and offers food and good stuff like that. I'm grateful to be a part of such a great group of guys right now doing some really great stuff.
 I've had the great opportunity to see Elders Orton, Olson, Miller, McDougal, and Tangren! it was great to see them.
Also a couple big happy birthday shoutouts to Erica, Kadi, and Kathleen! Love you guys I hope it was great.
 Sunday was a pretty great day. We were able to take the sacrament and have priesthood and we also joined the choir and had a devotional. We then got to watch a video of a talk that Elder Bednar gave called "the Character of Christ" it was amazing and helped us to feel the Spirit so strongly. He taught about learning how to look outward instead of inward because that's what Christ would do. I'm trying my hardest to do that but I'm definitely not perfect.
Some Elders that I met last night while studying told me that being homesick is really just Heavenly Father reminding me that I love my family and friends and that is really such a big blessing.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here and for the amazing Spirit that is here in the MTC. I'm also grateful for you all and your support and prayers. I can definitely feel them here.
 Squad up,
Elder Henry Thompson