week 82: He can make our mistakes a miracle

We've had some wind....like serious wind...

Ripped that mailbox right off the post.

But not to worry, we fixed it up with gorilla glue and duct tape.

And all that dirt...yep, it's our front lawn.

Hey Everyone, things are going great out here in Cal City. 

     This week started off a little shaky, we had some people drop us which is always a little disappointing. We kept working hard and had a few things fall through, but in the end some great things still happened. We were able to teach our friend Diana again. She's super cool and we had a little bit of a miracle with her. We had invited her to read 3 Nephi 11, which talks about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but we accidentally sent her the wrong page number. She ended up reading 3 Nephi 15 which is Christ talking about how the Nephites are His other sheep. There is also a single verse that talks about enduring to the end which is the final part of the Gospel. She remembered it and brought it up to us. We're hoping we can invite her to be baptized this week so keep her in your prayers. We also had interviews with President Sandberg this week which are always the best. I think that's about it. We have transfers next week, so I'll see if I'm staying or leaving. I hit 19 months today, and I can hardly believe that I'll only have 3 transfers left. 

I don't think I've got anything else... So until next week. 

--Elder Thompson

bits and pieces from family phone calls:

I'm finishing up the Book of Mormon again which is always a testimony builder.

I've also been looking up all the references to Christ from the topical guide (something President Nelson suggested doing just before he became the prophet). I'm marking them yellow, and I'm going to need some extra yellow pencils for sure. It's been really cool to see how much the Savior is in the Book of Mormon.

I made homemade enchiladas last week...I'm getting pretty good at those!

We also bought a giant bag of chicken nuggets and knock off Chick Fil A sauce, so you know what we're eating pretty much all week.

We had some snow today...kind of just blowing through, but the wind was so bad that they closed the freeway into the town we drive to for groceries. We got permission to go somewhere else, but man, that wind! 

Sunsets in Cal City are pretty good

My mom with a mini Ron Swanson

Letter informing me today that my mission assignment is no longer temporary and I will finish my service here in Bakersfield!

Dear President Sandberg:

Thank you for all you are doing to support missionaries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Carter Timothy Thompson has been assigned to complete his missionary service in the California Bakersfield Mission.

Please personally inform Elder Thompson of this assignment and communicate gratitude for his willing service to the Lord. If questions arise, you may consider sharing Elder David A. Bednar’s talk “Called to the Work” from the April 2017 general conference.

We are aware that you may have other missionaries who are temporarily assigned to your mission. The Missionary Department is working to support the Quorum of the Twelve as they consider permanently assigning missionaries who are nearing the end of their missions. We will notify you of additional changes when they are made.

Sincerely,

Elder Marcus B. Nash
Executive Director, Missionary Department

week 81: massive miracle

 

Cal City can be pretty awesome!

Hey Everyone, this week was super awesome. 

     We've been struggling out here, especially with finding. This week we had a massive miracle. There's this lady named Diana we've been trying to teach for a while now, and we finally got to. It was such a powerful lesson, and she's got so much potential to progress. She has all the right questions and knows where to turn. It's so awesome! The lesson lasted almost an hour and the spirit was so strong. We also gave talks in the english ward with the other 2 missionaries on missionary work. It went really well. Don't really have time to write more. 

Have a great week. 

Elder Thompson 

bits and pieces from family phone calls:

The mission president had us all go shopping for the week on Saturday...we're extra locked down because of the inauguration this week and the potential for issues. 

I beat my comp at scrabble....he's still upset...hahaha.

I got to see Jack this week on my phone call home. He really likes me when I filter my face into a giant taco...smart kid!

Keep praying for us to find people ready to listen!

look at the rabbit!

week 80: some weeks are slow

Red Rock Canyon--not southern Utah but still pretty

Hey Everyone, not much is going on out here. Honestly, I almost forgot to write an email so I only have a few minutes left to write. We're starting up a bible study so that's been fun. Also, we had a mission wide zone conference that was really awesome. I'll have to speak this Sunday so I'll let you all know how that goes if I remember. Today we went to Red Rock Canyon state park and hiked a bit.

Alright everyone, have a wonderful week.

--Elder Thompson 

bits and pieces from family phone calls:

Not much teaching this last week...the one family we are meeting with was busy, so things are slow.

Hiking today was fun and it felt good to be outside!

I do have pictures which my mom hopes I'll upload before she posts!

We're all still getting along with each other and doing all we can to be productive.

I told my mom some really good Dad jokes today...my favorite one:

"what do you call a dog with no legs?"

"doesn't matter what you call him, he ain't comin'"

WOW.

cal city district

it's Charlie Brown

week 79: a new year

Cal City Elders

     Hey Everyone, not a whole lot is going on out here in Cal City.

     This week we were working hard and we're trying to start up a bible study class. Things have definitely been slow, especially during the holidays. We got the chance to practice teaching with our mission president and it helped a ton! We also got to work with the Mendoza and Gonzales family. Honestly I don't have too much to talk about. We watched a super cool MTC devotional where Elder Matthew Holland spoke about Joseph Smith and shared some stories I've never heard about him. He talked about the path to Palmyra, and it was one filled with misfortune, difficulty and suffering. But in spite of all of that, and in sometimes because of that, Joseph was taken exactly where he needed to be. I testify of this. 2020 was not a kind, or easy year. I have traveled from Mexico, back home, and then from there to California. I've gone through a lot of changes, adjustments, and struggles. Let me tell you all something. I would not trade 2020 for any other year. I've grown in so many ways and I'm very grateful for all that's happened.

--Elder Thompson

Happy New Years!