Elder Thompson: Veracruz, Mexico/ Bakersfield, California Missions: week 38: mission intermission

In the words of Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute;

''The stress of coming home early has caused me to go into a depression.''

''Depression? Isn't that just a fancy word for feeling 'bummed out?''

I'm kidding, I'm not depressed, but I am coming home, so that is rough. More about that later.

This week was really strange. We had a zone conference planned for this last Wednesday and we had to stay the night with 4 other elders in another area called Cosamaloapan. We stayed over and then the conference got moved to Friday. We decided to do a battalion in another area, which is when a group of Elders go to another area and work there for a few hours. It was fun and then we stayed the night again in Cosamaloapan. Thursday we came back to our area and worked there. We had a member invite us over to do a Noche de Hogar (family home evening) and we got 5 new people there. The member just had her son leave on his mission and is getting really into missionary work. After that we went back to Cosamaloapan, this time with the secretaries of the mission so we were 8 elders in one tiny room.

Friday was our conference but because of Coronavirus we weren't able to get together as a zone, just two districts. It was weird, but really great. We had trainings on teaching with love and on the first vision. We got back with money from president and went to a restaurant with good hamburgers. While we were waiting, a waiter gave us a remote for a tv next to our table and said we could watch what we wanted. Well as missionaries we can't exactly open up Netflix and enjoy a movie, so we went to youtube and watched the Book of Mormon videos. There was a new one with Abinadi and it was amazing! Saturday and Sunday were pretty normal, and then today we got the bad news.

It's a strange feeling. There's been so much uncertainty in these past 2 or 3 weeks and it's been tough. I just can't believe it's happening. I feel like I'm just now coming to realize how much I love the culture, the mission, and above all, the people here. Honestly I don't know what's coming next.

I will never forget all that has happened here and I hope with all my heart that one day I will return and finish, but whatever the Lord has in store for me, I know will be for my good.

Good luck, try not to die, and always remember " the best things, the...richest things, aren't supposed to come easily, and that sometimes the moments that make the most sense happen when everything else doesn't". With all that is going on, the world doesn't make much sense right now, and nothing feels easy, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes sense. It makes sense because He lived. He still lives. He descended below all and rose up again, bringing us up too. We can all follow this Gospel, this plan for us. I know this all this is true. I know God lives and is our Father. He loves us, and sent his Son. The Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith was a prophet. We are the only true church and this is the way to follow to return to God. This path is not easy, it is much easier to succumb to Satan, to evil, but in the end, it is a path to destruction. We walk a hard path, but we do not walk alone. Christ is walking with us, he is our guide through a broken world. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

--Elder Thompson

bits and pieces from family phone calls:

I am packing today and cleaning my apartment. We will be ready to hop on a bus as soon as the call comes. We are thinking we'll be heading back possible Wednesday.

I'm already planning on Chick-Fil-A as soon as possible.

There were some tears today when the news we were leaving came, but I doing alright.

My mom said a package just arrived for me at the mission home, so I'll share my snacks with the other elders waiting there with me.

I know that everything will be ok and I will take whatever path I'm supposed to.

Here's a copy of the letter from Carter's mission president and the copy of his travel plans.

Bittersweet.

LA IGLESIA DE JESUCRISTO DE LOS SANTOS DE LOS ÚLTIMOS DÍAS PRESIDENCIA DE ÁREA MÉXICO

AV. FUENTE DE PIRÁMIDES NO.1 PISOS 9,10 Y 11 NAUCALPAN DE JUAREZ, ESTADO DE MÉXICO

March 22, 2020

To: Parents of foreign missionaries serving in México

Subject: Missionaries serving in the México Area and are returning to their home country for threat imposed by COVID-19.

Dear parents:

With the continuing threat imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and in conjunction with the guidance of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, we regret to inform you that all foreign missionaries serving in Mexico will be returned to their country of origin. This transition will begin immediately.

Travel priority will be given to missionaries with chronic health conditions and to senior missionaries. Soon thereafter, travel for all remaining foreign missionaries will be arranged. Due to the large number of foreign missionaries serving in Mexico and with current travel restrictions, we anticipate this process may take a few weeks to complete. Be assured that travel for all foreign missionaries will be made as soon as possible. When specific travel plans for your missionary have been made, you will be contacted immediately by your stake president.

In the meantime, the health and safety of all missionaries in Mexico is of highest priority. Each missionary has been instructed to follow strict preventative health and safety guidelines, including hygiene, social distancing, and increased self-isolation. In addition, every missionary has been provided food storage should home quarantine be required.

Missionaries returning to their country of origin will go through a 14-day period of self-isolation and then may be assigned to serve within their home country, based on local conditions. The term of service for missionaries returning to the United States will likely be reduced to accommodate the large number of missionaries returning from around the world.

We understand that you may have questions concerning what will happen when your missionary returns home. At this point, we do not have all the answers and ask for your patience. Additional guidance will be forthcoming as it is available.

We are grateful for the faithful service of your missionary and the sacrifices you have made for them to serve in Mexico.

Sincerely,