3 Months Down!!

Que honda!?

Sorry I didn't get to write yesterday. I guess the library closed for the holiday but this week we had transfers. I'm still here in good ole La Joya! This week was such a hard one. I call it the spiritual wedgie... it was uplifting but in all the hurtful ways.

a lot of people have toilets in their yard... i think they knew i was coming

I'll start with my miracle.  We got a new district leader named Elder Sessions and on Tuesday we had a meeting and at the meeting he told us to write about a family that we want to find on our missions. Since I had so much practice painting with Bob Ross before coming out here I decided I was going to draw my mystery family. I was pretty specific and everyone gave me grief for my awesome picture. I first drew the mom. She had a striped shirt on and she was literally like 9 months pregnant and wore flip flops. Then I drew two kids. After I drew the dad and he was a Mexican man with a mustache and I drew a lawn mower by him because that is what he was going to do for a living. We all had a good laugh at my picture and then I told everybody that I'm not leaving Texas until I find this family.

The next day we were out at the end of our area on our bikes mapping out the streets because we didn't have a map for this part of our area. It was weird because all of the street names were family names. Los ninos, Copadres, Comadres, Cunado, and Los Vecinos. etc. We were riding down the street and Hermana Kingsford was like "Hey, there is a lady in a striped shirt!" she was kind of mocking me for my picture I  had drawn because I made kind of a big deal out of it. I stopped on my bike in the middle of the street and I was like "Is she pregnant?!!" She said she didn't know.  I watched until the lady came around her car and BAM!!, she's like 10 months pregnant. I rode over there so fast!! We talked to her. She was also wearing flip flops. Come to find out she also has two kids. She said she couldn't talk with us right then because they were going to visit her Mother-in-Law in the hospital.  We gave her our number and our names and left.

The day after that we had planning and during planning I was venting to my companion about some things and then I was like, I'm going to go lie down and think for a minute about what I want to do. Literally, right after I said that the phone rang. This Mexican lady was asking for a "Thompson? Thompson esta?" So we talked to her. It turns out it's this pregnant lady we found!! She said that she had a baby last July and that it died and so right now they were looking for a church because she was about to have another baby and that they needed God. We told her that we would be over there in an hour!!

We get over to her trailer and she lets us in. She is telling us what's up and everything about them. She told us that her husband was looking for a better job because he mows lawns for a living and that he wasn't making very much. I was like "Wait what does your husband do?!" She was like "He cuts grass." It took every fiber of my being to not freak out!!  I found my mystery family!!  We talked more and she gave us a referral of her neighbor as well who wanted to hear from us and then we set up a return appointment.

We go back to their trailer and she was sick so we talked with the husband who was outside. He has a freakin' mustache too!  We asked if they needed help with his yard and told him we would come back when his wife felt better.

On Sunday we get a call during our dinner at a members house and it's my mystery family. The lady tells us that she really wants us to come by but her husband says that he doesn't want the Mormons to come by and teach them. He thinks we are not christian and so we asked if we could come and explain our religion to them and that we are christian and she said she would talk to him. She called yesterday and told us that he said we can't come over and she sounded scared too but that she wanted to hear from us. I think she is afraid that he will kick her out if we come over. She said that he will eventually come around so that we can go over and teach them but for us to wait. I felt like I had just gotten dumped!!! I was so frustrated, like why have I had the gift of revelation since being here and we have seen so many things that were not coincidences and then this happens. We lost almost all of our investigators. Julio's parents wont sign his baptismal paper. That's a long story I'll have to tell later too. Something happened with the other family we are teaching, we aren't sure what. Then the other family the mom kind of became antied by someone. The list goes on. Things started out so golden then literally in the span of two days everything hit the fan.

Then I realized that all the people who have been recently baptized or recently converted are having troubles. This older lady that we just reactivated, as soon as she started coming back to church her TV, washer, oven, boiler and AC all broke within like a week or so. The other recent converts are having money troubles. The list goes on. Then that's when it hit me, that us as missionaries were having the same thing happen! You know you are doing something right when everything goes wrong. Freakin' Satan.

My Fear of Horses

Also, this week we saw a cop pull over a guy at this gas station then the guy got out of his car and was walking toward the cop and the cop pulled his gun out on him and it was legit! It was like watching an episode of cops but like fifteen feet away.

We also were pros-ing this street and we heard this woman singing super loud like opera! My comp and I looked and each other and laughed! Like, "What the heck??"  I was like let's go teach her!! My comp was hesitant so I just started walking toward the house.  We got up to the porch and it was a parrot! Haha!! We taught the couple that lived there. They were an older couple. We sat on the porch and were having a good lesson but the parrot kept talking over us.  It talked in Spanish too and it would laugh really creepy. It reminded me of the parrot off of home alone 3. Good times.

This week I was bit by a Blue Healer on my calf! I loathe the dogs down here. They all chase me and they all have lice and fleas and other diseases. Sick.

My Favorite Family

This is my spiritual thought for you all. It's a Mexican saying that says, "Dime con quien andas y te dire quien ares." It means, "Tell me with whom you walk with and I'll tell you with whom you are." I love that saying. You become like the people you associate yourself with. Be the right person to begin with and you will attract others the same. It affects your character and your life long choices. I hope you all are doing well. Remember who you are! God loves you, I love you, and your mom loves you. Keep it real and have a safe week!

love,
Hermana Thompson

 God Pinata? 

HOLAAAAAA!

Hola todos!

I hope I have enough time to write what I want! This week was freakin' nuts! God gave me a big bite of humble pie.

It has starting to get super hot and extremely humid! My hair looks like a Jew fro sometimes.  I'll wake up in the middle of the night and I'm so sweaty. It's gross but it builds character.

Lately I've been praying to see a miracle and this is my little experience. We had a dinner appointment at a members' house, who I really enjoy. She made us Mole. If you don't know what mole is, I envy you. My companion asked her what was in it. It was fried animal crackers, hot chocolate, tomatoes, apple, peppers and a pear. They  put it in a blender and make it into a sauce and then put it over chicken. It looks the same coming in your body as it does coming out. My miracle was that I managed to eat an entire plate without throwing up. I think it's the only food here that I've managed to eat slowly. Luckily she didn't force me to eat seconds like everyone else does. The days we have two meal appointments in a row kill me. Yesterday we did and then after we went to a third house and they kept saying I was too skinny. (this was after I ate like 3 plates of food) needless to say I managed to eat literally half a watermelon because every time I finished a piece somehow there would be another on my plate. When we got in the car my companion just laughs and said "How do you feel?!" ... "Full. I feel full."

I was also bit by a pig this week! People have weird pets. I counted all of my tallies for how many dogs we have been chased by so far in my mission -- 222!! I hate them all.

The first lesson I learned this week is even though I'm a missionary I can't do stupid things. I have bugged my companion to go teach in this voodoo store that a member lives behind. Finally she let me but she waited at the door while I talked to the guy and taught him. After we left I told her that I felt creepy and she said she did too. She then asked if I knew what that place was. I was like, "No, not really, I just thought it would be cool to convert a voodoo man." (dumb idea) I guess it was a santa muerta store which in English means death saint. They worship death and have death shrines. She then told me that they worship it and have brought people back to life and a few other crazy stories. It's pretty much a Satan worshipping thing. I was like "WHAT?! Why did you let me go in there?!!??" and my companion said, " I thought you knew!!" We couldn't get back into the spirit of things the whole day and it sucked. I'm trying to remember that I'm not invincible. We also found a Buddhist temple that we thought was a house but it was cool. We talked to a Chinese man. He was nice.

We went by a recent converts' house this week who stopped coming to church. It's a family of 7. They have been trying to get help from the Bishop and having a hard time paying taxes. When we walked in I noticed they had a brand new TV that was like 60 in. and we got talking to them and she said she didn't like to go to church because she didn't like wearing a dress and that's why they don't go anymore and that they are trying to pay their bills and a few other excuses and that they were having a hard time. I was like just wear pants to church then! I asked her what the real reason was that she didn't want to come because that was a dumb reason not to go to church. She was saying they are having a hard time because they needed to buy a work visa or something. So we pointed at the TV and we were like then why did you buy a new TV?!  She told us she got it from a pawn shop for 200 dollars. Which is a lie. I was like well what else? She told us that her friend told her that we aren't Christians because we are called Mormons. I sat there thinking and my companion was like do you know how to answer that? ... I took off my name tag and I asked "What is the name of our church? she answered. I asked, "What's the biggest lettering on my tag?!" She was silent because she knew where I was going with it. I said, "JESUCRISTO! Do you still think we aren't Christian?" My companion loves that I'm so blunt when we doubt bust.

We went by another less active this week. We were sitting there talking with the mom and the kids. One of the little girls who was about 3 brought her chair by mine and was eye balling me for like five minutes. She then went in the other room and came out with a dress on and sat by me again. She stared some more. She kept looking at my shoes. She left the room again and came back out with her shoes and I helped her put them on. She had my companion braid her hair and she came and sat by me and crossed her legs like mine. It was adorable. It took me back a minute and made me realize that people are watching everything we do. I feel like a normal person but we are representatives of Jesus Christ. We are literally disciples of Christ. That's all we do 7 days a week is be the mouth piece that Christ wants us to be. It made me realize that little girl was watching me and wanted to be like me and that's how we need to look at Christ is to watch him and study him in the Bible, etc. and become more like him because he was the ultimate example.

We meet so many people and hear so many dark things in people's lives whether it's about people's children dying, people being burned in a fire, husbands in jail and not being able to provide for their kids, stories of abuse and peoples kids on drugs, we have heard it all. The other day we were in the car driving and my companion asked what I was thinking. I told her that I was frustrated because I want to help these people with all of their problems. I told her that when they tell me they become my problems and that I was a little overwhelmed because I have the problems of many now and not just mine! My companion then asked me "Do you know what that means?"  I said, "Yeah, a headache!" She said, "That means you love the people," Love is hard! It hurts so good. Although I can't give everyone their papers and bring their loved ones back to life or make drugs disappear I can give them the ultimate gift and bring them to Christ. Helping others remember that Christ died on the cross and the atonement has already been paid for; it's already been done! The biggest thing I ask people is if they are going to let his death be in vain or if they are going to accept him. This life is going to go on and we are going to have our trials either way. I tell people that and I ask them if they are going to go through this crazy adventure alone or if they want to go through it with Christ because I've done both and it's a lot easier with Christ! Christ chose us before we chose him. It's been a blessing to see people change and to help their souls.

It doesn't take a mission to be a missionary or to be an example. We are all on this earth to learn. Although we all have different trials and problems we all want to end up in the same place; on the right hand of God. Help those around you because I can literally tell you that you would be surprised at what people are going through whether you know it or not. Be kind. People won't remember the things you said or the clothes you wore but they will remember how you made them feel. Charity is the true love of Christ. I hope you all have a good week! Thank you for the love and support and prayers. Te Amo!!

Thompson Street! 

This is what our backyard looks like. right when you open the door there is like 5 feet of grass haha!

"nor responsible for accidents" outside our apartment haha  

HOLA FAMILIA Y AMIGOS!!

I don't have a whole lot to write this week since I got to talk to y'all yesterday! It was good to see everybody! You guys definitely keep me out here. It was hard to say bye. I told my comp that I feel like I'm being torn towards two places at once. I want to be home so bad but I also want to be here so bad. Sometimes it's hard.

For those who didn't get to hear, we are teaching a boy named Julio. He is 17 and has been talking with the Jehovahs Witnesses for two years. The other day when we went over we asked about it and he said that about three weeks ago the guy just randomly stopped coming by. I told him that we started to come by three weeks ago and I pointed out that it wasn't a coincidence. He is such an awesome kid and is progressing so much. He is getting baptized next Sunday. He also told us that he wanted to serve a mission which makes me so happy!

The other day it was 104 degrees outside. I was so sweaty and gross by the end of the day. We had a ward party as well. I must admit Mexican ward parties are a little different! They had Spanish music as loud as the speaker would go! We also had beans and rice and tortillas. Surprise surprise! One of the members had a longboard and so I rode it around the parking lot in my dress. They loved it. Some of them told me I was their hero because they can't do that -- sillies.

Also the Jehovahs Witnesses came by our apartment and tried to bible bash with us. The lady was like "Do you know God's name?" and I was like "Yeah I do, it's GOD!" and she was like "No, its actually Jehovah" then I said, "No, it's not, it's God. Why does it matter his name? He is your creator and you don't need to know it for your salvation" My companion had to tell them goodbye because I couldn't help myself but I did get her to take one of our cards!! Maybe she will look up the church and realize how smart I am. Who knows?

While tracting the other day we went in this one lady's house and started to talk with her. She had to go for some reason so we asked if we could leave with a prayer. Sister Kingsford said the prayer and as she was in the middle of her prayer the lady cut her off and started saying some crazy person prayer like super loud. I was trying so hard not to laugh!!! The lady finished and then Sister Kingsford waited and finished her prayer. It was so awkward. We both left thinking, "What the heck just happened?! "

Some little girls who are less active because their mom won't take them to church because of her papers asked if we would come by and help them make Mothers Day gifts. So we did. I made a fancy little flower card. They had this folder with colored paper in it and on the outside it said "colored shits" the "i" in Spanish makes an "ee" sound. It gave me a nice giggle. They also made sister K and I cards. They were so cute. It's hard to see all of these kids who don't get the opportunity to go to church because their parents are afraid. They told us they wanted to come too. I still am thinking of wanting a school bus to take them all to church. One day.

I don't have much to say this week. It's been a super off week and we have had our ups and downs, but we have lots of work to do and we definitely stay super busy. We are teaching a lot of people but a lot of them aren't progressing either. I'll be sure to keep updates on those who are. I love tracting the most. You never know who you are going to meet. One guy told me that he was thinking he was going to shoot me when we were walking on his property.

We work in the hot sun all day and at the end of the day we know we did a hard days work. I go to bed at 9:30 almost every night. I love you all. The church is true. I'll try and have a more adventurous week to write about next week! Thank you for all your love and support and for your prayers. Have a great week!!
                                             
Love Hermana Thompson

Howdy!

Hola y'all!!!

This week was a little slow but still nuts to say the least! We do a lot of biking and my legs are getting so buff! We have been making friends with the neighborhood kids and then they point out the best houses to go to! I teach them all how to pop wheelies. None of them can do it so they make me show them over and over. They yell "Otra vez! Otra vez!" I also have been playing a lot of soccer, pretty much everyday. It's hard to play in a dress but I still school all of the kids. All of my shoes are pretty much destroyed and I look homeless sometimes. I also had to climb a fence in a dress!

The other day we went to a random house and they were peeling oranges and so we ate oranges from their backyard with this family and taught them on the porch. The little kids' name is Kevin.  He is in second grade. We taught him how to pray and he prayed for two girlfriends. Who knows; God works in mysterious ways. The next time we came back he ran up to us and gave us a huge hug and said "You came!!" It melted my heart. He and his cousin who is in 3rd grade come from Mexico to stay at their grandmas house during the week to go to school and then they go to Mexico every weekend. We committed the kids to be baptized but we are having a hard time with what church they should be attending because they literally live two lives. So we have been working with that.

We have also been working in the same neighborhood as the Jehovah Witnesses. (curses) It's okay because we pretty much stole all of their investigators. We met a boy named Julio. He is 17 and we have been teaching him the past two weeks. On Sunday he told us he would come to church so we set up a ride for him. Just a side note -- I think that Sundays are like a giant game of 'Where's Waldo?' except I call it "Where's Juan?" You get to church and you're like "Where is so and so?" then you have to go and find them! We went over to Julios to introduce him to his ride and he didn't want to go! I used my youngest child skills and talked him into it. I think I had an easier time talking Dad into getting a trampoline.  He didn't want to come because he thought that it was too early. He said he didn't know enough. I explained to him we don't go to church because we know everything we go because we want to learn more. After I talked to him he decided he would come. He loved it! He said he had fun and loved the ward and he wants to come back. I was so happy! This kid has been talking to the Jehovah Witnesses for 2 years. He never went to church with them but he said they invited him several times.

Another lesson we had I was sitting on the porch of this lady's trailer home and we were listening to her story. It's super sad and I wont get into it. She has a pet chihuahua and it had lice or fleas or something and the stupid dog kept trying to come sit by me so I finally kicked it in the middle of this lesson! I'm pretty sure she saw too but she didn't say anything.

After church yesterday we went to go find this house that the zone leaders gave us from a referral they had. It was clear at the end of our area and it took us awhile to find it. It was up this dirt road and not many houses. We parked on the road and walked up to the house and nobody answered. They had two other little trailer houses farther back on the property so we decided to go knock on the doors of them. While walking back I got a super creepy feeling like somebody punched me in the stomach. I didn't say anything though so we walked to the first building and nobody answered and then the next one which was actually a school bus that was turned into a house. On both buildings were padlocks on the outside of them, but it looked like someone lived in them. Hard to explain. Immediately the story of the guy who kept kidnapped people in his backyard came to my mind and I told my companion that I had an off feeling about this place and she was like I thought the same thing! She called up the Zone Leaders to get more information and to ask about it and while she was on the phone I was kind of snooping around and found this crater hole with tin roof coverings over it so I pulled out my light from my bike and tried to turn it on to shine it down and it wouldn't turn on! Just then my comp. got off the phone and called me over and as soon as I walked away my light turned on! We eventually left after talking to some random sketchy lady who drove by and claimed to be the provider. She was super uneasy that we were there. There is probably some slave trade going on it that place and I almost got murdered but we have to go back this week to try and contact it again. That place gave me the willies.

We also had exchanges this week and I went with a companion to McAllen. It was weird being in a neighborhood with real houses. It was an English area and the people there were such butts. They were super rude. We got the doors closed in our faces a lot. Our lesson was in English and so it was hard to teach but this little second grade boy did tell me that I "have a good style" It was hilarious.  I love my ghetto La Jola though. I held a parrot yesterday. It bit me of course! I decided that animals and I share a mutual feeling if we don't like each other; especially the nappy dogs down here.

I guess I better leave you all with something about Jesus and such. Life is hard and we all aren't perfect but that's the great thing about the atonement. We are all here to learn and to become better people. This life is for progression and to come unto Christ. Some days are rough and I want to give up and others I help so many people and I forget about my problems. God has us in the palm of his hands. He is looking out for us. When things are good he rejoices with us and when things are hard that is when he carries us. If there is one thing that I have learned here it would be that I don't believe in coincidences. Everything happens for a reason; every person we meet, we met them for a reason. Make sure that you are the reason that somebody wanted to become better. The Lord watches over us with the tiny things and with the big things. Always notice the Lord's hand and life will become so much more rich. Trials make you become stronger. I believe that we have trials because we have something we need to learn from them. Make sure you learn from them or you go through them for nothing.

I love you all! Thank you for all of the support and prayers and letters! I think about you all daily! Have a great week! And be the miracle in somebody's life.
                                                   
Love,
Hermana Thompson!

Jesus Mural 

Schooling the Mexis in Soccer