I definitely had an eventful week.
Last Monday while ice skating, I got talking to one of the staff of the rink who was skating around doing crowd control. Turns out, he is from Utah and went to Lone Peak High, and I played hockey against him in high school! What are the odds? He told me he was pretty homesick that week and then a big group of missionaries (us) showed up! It was a great bonus to finally get back out on the ice again. If anyone ever has the chance to check out Snoopy's Home Ice in Santa Rosa, do it! It's a really cool rink! (Snoopy's Home Ice was built in 1969 and owned by Peanuts cartoonist, Charles Schultz.)
I may have already mentioned, a bunch of people in my zone have gone home early in the past 2 weeks... 4 of them to be exact. Each with legit reasons why they needed to go home; so I promise it wasn't because I got to the Zone. After they went home, there were some spots to fill, so Elder Pickett was emergency transferred to a different area, so now it's just me and Elder Larson.
This week was pretty bad in terms of contacting people we are teaching as they were all busy or out of town or something. Also, making a lot of changes in the Zone took a lot of time and then we had exchanges with another companionship. It was busy for sure.
Funny story, someone got in my face this week and threatened to knock me out haha. I totally should have let him that would have been a way better story. He was smaller than me (believe it or not) so I think I would have been fine but I guess he just really didn't want to talk to us. So you would all be proud that I have gone 18 months without a fight. haha Let's keep the streak going!
Sometimes facing a lot of rejection gets old, even though I've been out for a while and it should be expected. I don't know why but it got to me this week. I'm doing fine, don't worry. I just had to remember two things that could possibly help one of you in your life right now:
1. something Elder Whiting of the Seventy told us about rejection: we should not be so selfish as to think it's about us. People are rejecting the person we represent, Jesus Christ. That shouldn't come as a surprise.
2. I remembered everyone has their free will to accept or reject our message but I have to focus on what I can control, like Mrs. V. taught me. My lacrosse coach, Pete, always told us the only things we can control are our attitude and our effort.
Remembering these things helped me out this week! People who don't like the church don't make the message any less true! I think it makes it more true because there has to be opposition to truth.
We had Elder Pearson, a General Authority Seventy and also our Area President, come and speak in Stake Conference. It was amazing! We get to have him to the mission again in a couple of weeks. We get to have two mission leadership councils and a Zone Conference with him so you could say I'm excited!! One thing he said that I loved is, "nobody that is reading the Book of Mormon every day is struggling spiritually." It's true! I can totally tell a difference now that I read every day. Even if it's just a verse or two each day, that added spirit in your life will give you spiritual nourishment which we all need just as much as physical nourishment. He also gave an awesome talk in April 2015 so check it out if you want to!
A huge Foothill 7th shout out to Jack Perry who is about to get his mission call. Way to represent the greatest ward ever... can't wait to hear where you're headed! (Fortaleza, Brazil!)
The Song of the Week is Mountain Sound by Of Monsters and Men. I might be repeating songs every once in a while but give me a break, I've had to remember all of these songs for a year and a half without listening to them. Anyway, much love to all of you, have a great Conference weekend! I think we finally hit Spring in California!
Love, Elder Thompson
 |
| Just another vineyard in Santa Rosa. It's not uncommon for people to have them as their front yard instead of grass. I'm a big fan, someone plant some vineyards in SLC for me please! |
 |
| After skating last week. |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt7ox1M_XG4 Mountain Sound Of Monsters and Men
No comments:
Post a Comment