March 16, 2015--One Year to Go!!!!

Dear Family,

I love the photos; they are great, especially the one of the Three Amigos inside of the bug, you have no idea how funny it is to me because every family and their dog has a bug here... no joke, they look just the same. I can't believe that all this has happened, and yet I am hopeful for the future. Maybe this will cheer you all up in 365 days I will be home. Yes, people, I have now got one year left and I am giving it my all to the Lord. 

This last week was off the wall crazy as we were rushing to appointment to another. We had an awesome experience with Xochilt. She was doubting if she should get baptized and was scared to do it for some reason. She would go off for ten minutes explaining what she was trying to get across. Here in Mexico it is so hard for some reason to be direct.They like waver to tell what they want. It is frustrating, not going to lie. Thankfully, we have the spirit haha! No one can escape! Well, eventually the zone leaders and my companion and I were just so frustrated as we could not get what she needed. Then I felt the spirit say, she is afraid her family won't help her or support her. I then asked the question: Hermana, usted tiene miedo que sus hijas o esposo no va a apoyarle? It got really quiet for us and her, she then began to say yes, yes exactly that!  We were so happy as we could contribute to the goal of the zone of 50 baptisms for this month. The spirit filled the room and when she said "Yes, I will get baptized." Then she offered us a part of her birthday cake... yes it was her birthday too... She then began to cry saying "I just didn't know that they would support me, her daughter came up to her and gave her a hug and said "You helped me with sicknesses school and everything else. How could I not support you to do this?" SO POWERFUL!! I was straining to hold back my tears and we left super happy. Her baptism, however, was an adventure of waiting until four o'clock for her to come, but she did come and she was baptized. 

I know that the spirit is the most powerful thing we have it is literally a gift. I am so grateful to be a missionary and I pray that the Comforter will come and help my family at home. I know it will and can. I love my family. I know this church is true. I hope my Mom feels better soon; I am praying for her a ton. I love her so much and can't imagine if I lost her. Love you, mommy!

Elder Thompson