the homecoming

 

all the missionaries returning home with me

After a busy couple of days, a night in the mission home, and a couple of flights, I made it to Utah!

Coming home was bittersweet and happy all at the same time.

my mom will never not cry when we come home!

meeting Jack in person finally!

by the end of the day, Jack had warmed right up to Elder Thompson

met up with the rest of the fam at JCWs for hugs and lunch!

grandma and papa coming to greet me and have lunch!

good food and better company

the old siblings

papa and most of his granddaughters

the young siblings

week 102: coming home

 

Last picture with the Lone Pine Zone

Hey everyone,

Well, the last week flew by way too fast!

We put a lot of focus on contacting less active members and we got to talk to quite a few. We set up a lot of stuff for Elder Funk and his new comp. One really cool miracle that happened was when we were looking for this family, the Dahlberg's. We've looked for them a few times and we were walking down the road the address led us to. We ended up talking to a kid that told us he was on the other side of this one road and we went to go check it out. For whatever reason, I made a turn and I really can't explain why. I just did. I was going to flip a u and I saw an area at the end of the road that was big enough to flip around easily. We drive down and we find the house we were looking for! It was a crazy blessing and we were able to talk to brother Dahlberg, who was super friendly and open. 

It's been a good week. We worked hard and Logan is all ready for his baptism on Saturday. I'm a little bummed out I won't be here, but that's OK (besides, we have zoom). It's been a very rewarding area to be in and I'll always love Lone Pine. 

I guess this is the last email... Tomorrow morning we're off to Bakersfield and I'll fly out on Wednesday. It's gone by way too fast. I'm going to miss the mission. My mission wasn't quite what I expected. Ok, that was the understatement of the century. Honestly, it was nothing like what I expected. I am so glad Heavenly Father is the one in charge. He set this up to be the absolute best it could be for me. It hasn't gone perfect, I definitely was never perfect during it, but I've grown so much. The growth, though gradual, has been immense. I wouldn't trade these last two years for anything. 

Final lesson, and this is the most important one. 

Lesson 6-> Jesus Christ is my Savior. Jesus of Nazareth was a real man who walked upon the face of the earth 2000 years ago. More than that, He was the Christ. Christ is a title that means "the anointed one" and truly Jesus was Him. He was chosen before the world to be the savior and the only Begotten Son of God. This meant He could pay the price for our sins. I've seen His power flowing to others all throughout my mission. It is truly miraculous! But the thing I want to focus on is My Savior. I knew Jesus Christ was my Savior before my mission, but now I understand He is. Not just with my mind, but with my heart. I've felt the forgiveness that flows from Christ. I've felt the enabling power of His grace. Like Nephi of old I can say "I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell". This is the truth, and I glory in it. Jesus redeemed me! He redeemed me so I can live up to my full potential, and one day, I can be like Him. 

9 months in Veracruz, México, 

2 months home, 

Almost 13 months in California,

15 Companions

The privilege of seeing 9 people make their first covenant with God

8 areas 

6 times through the Book of Mormon

Only 4 talks

2 languages

2 Mission Presidents and their wonderful wives 

Phone calls, contacts, lessons, friends, and miracles without end

715 Days

1 Worldwide Pandemic

And most importantly, 1 purpose: becoming a life-long Convert to Jesus Christ

This time, and the experiences within it will define the rest of my life. I am going to be a life long convert to Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. 

I love you all so much, 

Thanks for all the support, 

May God bless you all, 

--Elder Carter Thompson

Logan is getting baptized Saturday!

our 2nd family here in Lone Pine

week 101: so many miles

 

some REALLY good pizza!

Hey everyone, this week flew by! 

We hit 20,000 miles in our car because we have to drive so much. When I got here it was about 11,000 so I've driven over 9000 miles in the last 4 months. Things are going great. Logan is coming up on his baptism and he is so ready! Last time we met with him he was talking about how when you do what is right, the Holy Ghost is with you and then when you sin he leaves, but you can repent and he'll come back. It's so cool to see how much he's growing. Then on Sunday he brought his friend to church and we're going to start teaching him as well. His name is Jesse. We had to also give talks. That was a lot of fun. It was about missionary work. The apostles and first presidency came out with these new principles for sharing the gospel. The principles are called Love, Share, Invite. You should all look it up it's super cool. 

Only two weeks left, which means two more lessons. 

My mission taught me that Gospel brings lasting happiness. The gospel of Jesus Christ works! It brings true joy. As we follow it, the gospel brings light into our lives. That light chases away darkness. There is peace that comes from striving to live the gospel. Christ's atonement was a free gift and the gospel is how we can accept and use it. 

--Elder Thompson 

Elder Funk is pretty awesome!

tag picture for my mom

and I found my mom's FAVORITE word!

week 100: lesson 4

I don't know how I'll talk to my mom when I get back without using filters!

Hey everyone! 

   This week was pretty cool. Honestly it was the same as basically every other week. It got pretty cold and we ended up having to use our space heaters for a couple of days. I don't really know what else to say. I don't have a whole lot of time to write because we went up to Mammoth for P-Day which meant like 200 miles of driving. It was exhausting but always good to spend time with the other elders. 

So yeah... On to lesson 4

Lesson 4: There is real power with prayer. Prayer has been such an important aspect of my mission. I've depended on it almost daily. I have received so many answers. God is our loving Heavenly Father and as our Father, He hears and answers every prayer according to His will and timing. Prayer is also about learning God's will for us. Revelation comes as we seek it. 

--Elder Thompson

bits and pieces from family phone calls:

I'm reading the Book of Mormon backwards...started with the last chapter of Moroni. As I read, I take notes about how different people became converted to Christ. It's been a totally different perspective and I'm learning so much. I'm all the way to Mosiah!

The temps went from 90 to 50 overnight and man, we were cold!

see...space heater out

week 99: raising our vision

 

Lone Pine Zone

Okay, this week I actually have things to talk about! 

     We had zone conference last Friday. It was the best! We talked a lot about raising our vision from finding people to teach to eternal life. Now that will be our focus, not just baptism, not just the temple, but helping people receive eternal life through Jesus Christ and His gospel. It was an amazing Zone Conference and one I wish I had at the beginning of my mission. We also talked about how we can help others share the gospel and it's through something in the church handbook called Love, Share, Invite. We love people, then we share the gospel in normal and natural ways. Simple things like sending a scripture, a video, or just talking about it more. Then we invite people. I really liked it because it's something I can keep doing when I go home. We also had interviews and I'm going to really miss having those. We put Logan back on date for June 12th, which sadly means I will be watching over zoom, but that's okay, it isn't really about me. I'm super excited for him. 

Okay, I'm on the third lesson I learned on my mission. 

Lesson 3: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church on the earth today. In the scriptures it says the "only true and living church" and to me that doesn't mean all other churches are entirely false or evil, but that this church is the only one with all the truth that has been revealed. It also means to me that this is the only church authorized to receive revelation. Russell M Nelson is the Lord's prophet here on the earth, and following his counsel will lead us all to Christ, through whom we can be saved. We have the priesthood of God, I've experienced it's power throughout my mission and I have had the privilege of using it to help others receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't have all the answers about the church, but I do know that it's true, and it is Christ's, and that's all that really matters. 

--Elder Thompson 

bits and pieces from family phone calls:

Time is flying....but really. 2 years has gone way too fast.

It was good to have a busier week and I am so happy for Logan!

Jace and I are making all kinds of plans for when I'm back, so if you're wondering, I'm gonna be pretty busy!

For pday, we visited a Japanese Internment camp memorial 

called the Manzanar Facility.

It was interesting but also sad.

week 98: lesson 2

 

pday basketball

Hey Everyone, 

    Another week has gone by, and we had some pretty cool stuff happen. We got to go up to Bishop and do some service for a food bank and that was tons of fun. We also got in contact with a self referral and it turns out she's our Relief Society President's granddaughter. Now we're working on setting up an appointment with them. I've got about a month left so I've really got to make it count. So last week I shared the first lesson my mission taught me, and now it's on to number 2.

Lesson 2: The Book of Mormon is the word of God. I've been reading it more than ever in my life and it has taught me so much. I've read it 2 times in Spanish, and now I'm on my 4th time reading it in English. I've learned so much each time and felt it's power. If by some miracle, Joseph Smith could have written the book, he could not have created the Spirit that comes with it. The Spirit that I feel when I read the Book of Mormon could only come from God. Because I know the Book of Mormon is true I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. 

--Elder Thompson 

bits and pieces from family phone calls:

My mom wanted pictures...so I took pictures of all the important things in my apartment!

I also sent an epic Mother's Day picture!

see? epic.

the apartment lamp

this one really sucks

house keys

our little casa

carpeted bathroom....kind of gross

my toast this morning

the toaster

last one of our house