People Over Points

Dear Family,

Well, this week was a great one. The district baptized three people and we are looking to retain them forever. We had a confirmation this week with two investigators at church. We are working super hard and I have black under my eyes. Do you people know how weird it feels to be this tired? I am exhausted all the time; I have never felt more this way in my life. The only thing that compares is Castledale [he and Lane spent the week in a crawl space hauling out pieces of an old boiler system their dad was cutting apart...]. I remember that week as being super hard. 

Elder Kennington and I are working like animals and, well, we are hoping to baptize again this week. However, I am very interested in the weather at home; it is still in the sixties? We are here in the fifties and forties and at night its much worse. I actually am cold here in Toluca. This is supposedly the highest and coldest area of all of Mexico. Well, I can testify that it is true. I had to buy a couple blankets to keep me warmer. 

Today though we had some fun with other missionaries and we played basketball...FINALLY! I love soccer, but man do I miss basketball. We also made a food challenge here. One liter of soda, one whole Little Caesar's pizza (yes they exist here) and four bread sticks in less than 30 minutes. My companion is super competitive! He pounded that stuff down in 17 minutes!! Do you know how impressively disgusting that is!!??? Ha, ha. It was a great day. 

Mom, I have learned something important this week: people over points. I said that to one of my coaches and now I am falling into the same mistake. I love having good numbers in our district, but I forgot that we need converts and disciples and the Lord needs them forever. We had a great last change with three baptisms but only one is active to this day and our favorite one is now atheist. We tried to explain to him everything but it just didn't work. I now know that we need to retain the fruits we reap or things will just be for waste as it says in Jacob 5. I hope to help people to conversion instead of just, well, numbers.I know that this is the work of the Lord and I am super excited for Lane to get ready for the mission. 

I love you all and miss you. Have a great
day and week and let it snow!

Elder Thompson