Thank you all so so much for writing me letters to the MTC here. Yes, I got printed letters from mom, and a few of my friends. Thank you for telling me everything you did. Things are getting better here, and Tyler and Ian both say the field is so much better. The days are starting to blur together. The days are also starting to go by quicker. I'm already a third of the way done here so that's interesting to think about.
The past few days have been ok. Last week, we had an apostle come and speak to us. Quentin L. Cook came and spoke to us! I shook his hand...no big deal. I had my first dream of dad here in the mission and I wrote it in my journal. Im going to keep doing that. Ugh I always have so many things I want to write to you guys, and then I get on the computer and I forget!
The language is coming along a bit. I can offer prayers and testify in Spanish and also give a decent first discussion pretty easily now. The language barrier is very real and its hard to deal with. Our first fake investigator is now our teacher, because hes been working here the whole time. But, we did teach 2 volunteers yesterday that are less active or non members. I wish I knew Spanish already.
I really dont know what to write about...My homesickness is going away, It sounds kind of mean, but Im not thinking about you guys as much haha but its good for me. I just want to get good at planning my time and teaching. I already know that once I pick up the language and get good at teaching, I will enjoy this service a lot more. Elder Richins told me that after a month, it comes naturally.
Our days our pretty basic. We just follow the missionary handbook by studying every morning before and after breakfast, then we have a morning block of instruction for about 3 hours with language and doctrine coaching. After lunch is always gym time and I really like gym time :) Elder Brown and I have been playing volleyball. We have another 3 hour block of instruction in the afternoon, then after dinner is TALL -- Technology assisted language learning and I like that. Then we study language in our classroom until daily planning at 9. Thats my day pretty much every day.
The temple trip was really cool. The Mexico City temple is HUGE!! Its really cool looking. I was last in the service, so I only had like a few minutes in the celestial room. We took along time doing the ceremony because we had to talk in Spanish. We go to the temple every other P day. And again! The drivers are insane here!!! Its so ridiculous everyone is so stressed whenever we are on the bus haha. Mexico City is the BIGGEST city I've ever seen. When we were on the bus, I realized that Mexico City is the only city I've been in where I can only see city as far as I can see in every direction!!! Es muy grande!
I want to serve my mission without counting down the days. I want to do this without looking at my leave date...but thats really hard to do right now. Yes, Kyle I always think 2 years is so long! But I know that the more I think about that, the longer it will take. I have to admit my biggest concern right now is time.
The other Elders and I are starting to laugh more, and bond more. I received a sense of belonging here, a feeling that this is my new family and my new home. It really does help to be surrounded with good people and good examples.
Its crazy to think that my birthday is just over a week! I will be 19...crazy. So far, Mom, I have only received one printed letter here from you, I'm betting I will get the other one today then.
I'm sorry if my email is really unorganized...I'm just trying to think of what to write to you all. Kyle did the camera have a cable with it for uploading? Because I just realized I have no method of uploading pictures...I'm going to have to buy a card reader or something. But, Elder Brown is letting my switch SD cards so I can upload some from his camera.
I'm hearing news right now from the other Elders that there was another attack in Belgium?? That's crazy...I also want to express thanks to everyone in the ward who has written mail to me. It really helps...a lot!!!
I want to wish my family a happy Easter :) I meant to say happy St. Patrick's day on my last email, but I forgot. We got to watch the 2 new videos that the church released. The one with the virtual hallelujah chorus was pretty cool. I remember hearing about that going to happen. And then there was the newest church video of The Savior and his resurrection. I liked those videos. Please keep praying for me, it really helps. It helps in a way only Kyle would remember. I'm gonna go now. :\ I hope everything is okay at home. Stay safe! I will because I'm in the safest place in Mexico City. I honestly really look forward to the day that I'm good at teaching in Spanish and just speaking in Spanish. That will make things so much easier. I'm going to upload some pictures now with some descriptions.
Love you all,
Elder Thompson
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