Adventures Along The 101

Hey, so this week was probably the most average week ever, but there were still some highlights. 

We helped a member move for like 5 hours which was cool at first but then it got super old and we were starving. But the good news is that I'm probably the most ripped human on earth now. I might even have Zach beat. (BTW today is his birthday, so happy birthday Zach!) 

We also got the chance to go with a member to a Pacific Islander festival right here in town where another member was performing! It was fun to be able to learn more about the culture and it also brought back some good memories of luaus at East High. There was some solid food and I even met some members who lived in West Valley City for a bit. 

We did a lot of tracting this week which was good.  I try my best to talk to everyone we come in contact with instead of just saying "hi" and walking past them.  If I didn't talk to everyone, I would have never met Brodee, so I don't want to miss any of those opportunities!

I also went on exchanges with an Elder named Elder Gibb. It was fun and I was able to spend the day down in San Rafael. That place is so crazy, I'm not used to being in the big city. There is a ton of traffic so I guess you could say I'm a true California driver now. We met some nice people though and I got to perfect my Spanish. 

We met three awesome people this week:  Caleb, Jade, and BJ. All super cool guys who each asked some awesome questions about the Plan of Salvation, which we were able to answer! We met them separately but they all asked for materials to read. Hopefully I'll be able to update you on them at a later date.  Kenya is still trying to overcome some things but we are optimistic that she will be baptized in time, in the meantime we will keep teaching her.

I have just been informed that this past week was National Dog Day? So I'd like to give a special shout out to the good pooches in my life: namely Chance, Mushy, Piper, Pogi, other Piper, Scout, Diesel, Maddie, Elsie, and Keef AKA Chadwick and so many more... What's better than this? Dogs being pooches. 

The song of the week is Good Directions by Billy Currington (dad will be happy).  Or you could also listen to Elephant by Tame Impala.. You get a double teamer this week...  you're welcome. 

Hope all is well! 

Love, Elder Thompson 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY9D01WPIN0   Good Directions Billy Currington

The Wisdom of Burrito Eating Elders

Hello. 

Last week was cool because we went to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was really foggy and cold but I'll go back one of these times on a better day. Let me tell you though, Marin County is insane. Ferrari dealerships and Mercedes and BMW and all of these crazy things.  It's a pretty cool place but I'm not sure how anyone would be able to afford it..... For those of you who haven't been to the Golden Gate Bridge, it's loud. really loud. It was kind of funny because there are a ton of tourists there and everyone was staring at us in our white shirts and ties. It was a good way to spend a morning. 

foggy Golden Gate Bridge

One of the highlights of my birthday had to be that I was able to give a back-to-school  priesthood blessing to a cute boy just starting kindergarten.  They are one of my favorite families here and they have us over for dinner often. The father of the family passed away 2 years ago and this was the first time they'd done blessings since he died.  We each took turns giving one of their 3 boys a blessing and the Spirit was strong.  It reminded me of when my dad did that for us! 

This week was pretty good too. It finally calmed down and we didn't have too many meetings so we actually had time to go finding. I went on exchanges with my favorite AP, Elder Nelson, who I became close friends with in the MTC last year. We did some yardwork for a lady we are teaching, who is actually related to Boyd K. Packer, so that's pretty cool! We taught her part of the Plan of Salvation and she really liked it. She sat outside and talked to us as we worked, her husband gave us a pizza as well! We are going to keep teaching her and I'll let you know how it goes! 

We also went to a wedding for our person, Kenya. We are super happy for her and if she just fixes one other thing, she can get baptized soon! We are going to help her out a lot these next few weeks! Prayers for her would be appreciated.

A member took us to lunch and there was a special message on my burrito wrapper:

We have been out finding a lot and that can be fun, and hard, depending on who you meet that day. The nicest guys we met this week were the ones who were having a "get together" and invited us in to "smoke a bowl." We respectfully declined that kind offer. Things like that happen in college towns like this all the time.

Another funny thing is that as missionaries, every time you have to back the car up, someone has to be behind the car directing you. Personally, it makes me feel like a complete idiot if I'm not the one driving. But rules are rules. Anyway, we parked at the church so that we wouldn't have to back the car up, but the Spanish elders who we live with purposely parked in front of us so that we would have to back up. So we did what any other person would do, we took a tire off of  their car and left theirs on the jack stand. It was hilarious because they got so mad but they had it coming. 

Biggest shoutout to Florida this week because it is getting the very best!  And a birthday shoutout to the 3rd musketeer, Nathan! Can't wait to wreck you at Stick and Puck in a few years! Also, to Whitney, Thomas and Anna!

And cheers to Max in London for hitting his year mark this upcoming week. 

The Song of the Week is Right Now by Van Halen - a long time ago, in Primary, we were learning the song, "Praise To The Man" and the chorister asked who "the man" was.  I raised my hand and said Eddie Van Halen because my dad always said he was "the man".  It's one of my favorite Van Halen songs. (and this mom's favorite to hear him play on the piano)

Much love as always,

Elder Thompson 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLQawHJ38Sc  Right Now  Van Halen

Bday on Pday... Happy Birthday Henry!!

August 13, 2018

*Thank you everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes!!! I feel so loved. If I don't get back to you today, I promise I will get back to you! We have a pretty busy day today. We are going to the Golden Gate Bridge!!

Good day everyone!! This week was a week of ups and downs for sure but the good always outweighs the bad!! 

The bad was that I got really sick on Wednesday night/Thursday morning and couldn't really do anything for that whole day. Of course, it was the day of the baptism so I had to get up and prepare for it!  We also had Zone Conference the next day so I wasn't able to really rest or anything that day either. But I'm doing better now so it's all good!!

The good was that Josue got baptized on Thursday!!!! You should have seen his face as he was walking out of the font. He had the biggest smile on his face! I got to be a witness for it. He gave such a great testimony at the end, the Spirit was strong! On Sunday, we were able to confirm him and give him the gift of the Holy Ghost!! It was such a special couple of days, even though I was pretty sick for most of it.. again, the good still outweighs the bad every time!! 

Seriously, other than that, we were either out finding, or preparing for the baptism, or preparing for Zone Conference. So we were super busy the whole week.  We met some very nice people this week and one guy had a vineyard instead of grass in his front yard... probably the most Northern California thing I've ever seen and probably will see. 

The Song of the Week is "Michigan" by The Milk Carton Kids.

Everyone also remember to support your local Ritt Momney! One day, we will avenge our loss against the putrid "Junkyard Brass." (Winners of the 2017 High School Battle of the Bands)

Shoutout to Luke Johnson, the first of the Three Amigo cousins, for his birthday this past week!! Also another shoutout to Bryce for hitting his year mark this upcoming week. 

Love you all and have a great week!!

Elder Thompson

Foggy cold day 

Birthday field trip to the Golden Gate Bridge

Dinner with the Auva'a family

Josue's Baptism with Elder Siebach

San Rafael Zone Conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEDnGAvjQXw 
Michigan The Milk Carton Kids

Howdys and Happiness in Norcal

August 7, 2018

*Fire update* 
The Mendocino Complex Fire is now the largest in California history.  It's affecting the Lakeport and Ukiah areas of the mission.  Missionaries and residents have been evacuated. Hank is farther south and is not in any danger.

*Birthday update* 
 Elder T will celebrate his 19th birthday next Monday, August 13.  If you have time, I know it would make his day to hear from you.
Email:  thompson.henry@myldsmail.net   or
Snail Mail:  642 Santa Alicia Drive
                   Rohnert Park, CA  94928


Hey friends and fam! What's up?? 

This week was definitely a good one!

 Transfers happened and Elder Pearson is now here with me in Rohnert Park. We get along really well, so that's a plus. He is the most country Idaho boy I've ever met haha. Most of the time, he just likes to talk about ranching and cattle and he says howdy to everyone.  He enjoys working hard so that's all that really matters to me! 

We had a lot of meetings to start off the transfer, one with the Sister Training Leaders and District Leaders to find out what our zone needs for the transfer.  We also  had MLC on Friday where I got to see tons of friends, including my great friend Elder Nelson, who is now an AP, which means I get to see him a lot more often now!  MLC was good with President Meservy. He is trying to figure us out while we are trying to figure him out. He has so much trust in us though and so much love for the mission already. He and his family are great. Sister Meservy even told me that she and my mom are friends on Facebook. 

Saturday we had a district council where the STL's and we had to take an hour  to talk about what we learned in MLC and how to apply it. It went well! 

We have been doing a lot of finding but the best part of the week was definitely yesterday because we taught Josue and he told us that he wants to be baptized on Thursday, this week!! We quickly figured out if we could do that, and now we are setting it up! We got him interviewed and ready to go!  I'll let you know how it goes!! Then we have Kenya in a few weeks!! The ward is really appreciative of our efforts since their ward has exploded with converts this year. They are great people. 

I'm really happy as a missionary and I'm grateful for all the support and love that you show to me. I wouldn't be here without it! 

The Song Of The Week this is "Bloodflood Pt. 2" by Alt-J, which is one of my favorite songs by them. Check it out! 

Also, happiest of birthdays this week to my sweet Grandma Hanks! I hope it's amazing for you!! 

Welcome Home to Will Corbett,  finishing his mission this week! Thanks for being an awesome example to me! I'll see you next year! 

Much love, Elder Thompson

August MLC

Elder Pearson from Arco, Idaho

Auva'a family

w/ Elder Nelson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_wdKxvOQbM Bloodflood Pt. 2  Alt J