2 Decades Down, and Conference!

Dear Family and Friends,

What a crazy couple of weeks it has been! I am sorry I did not write
an update last week, I was busy buying A cowboy hat with my birthday
money! I can't even tell y'all how much I love this thing, makes me a
little sad that I'm not a legitimate cowboy haha.

First off, my birthday was last week and I received so much love from
all of you, it was almost overwhelming! Thank you all for your well
wishings, gifts and cards! It meant a great deal to me. As previously
mentioned I bought a cowboy hat with that money, as well as some jeans
because I ripped my old ones a couple weeks ago doing service with the
Stuart's... Anyways. I'm also looking to buy a new dog kennel for the
Gardners friend because I sat on the one they were borrowing from
their friend and broke it... I must be getting fat. Anyways thank you
all for making my birthday great!!

In the last two weeks we have been doing so much finding! We have
mostly been turned away but we've still just been working our heads
off! As long as you are doing your best, God blesses you. Elder
Christensen and I both have tons of fun knocking on doors, even when
someone is rude or short with us! We have the funniest conversations
as we walk around. They usually make no sense haha.

We've been working pretty close with a less-active named Barb. Barb is
a super cool lady that comes from a very active family but has never
been active herself. This last week we went and visited Barb at her
re-consignment shop again and were able to provide service by pressure
washing the alley that her shop is on. Barb is a cool woman, she
listens during lessons, is sensitive to the spirit, and she serves us
constantly! Please keep her in your prayers as she continues to make
this incredible climb upward.

General Conference was this week, and it was absolutely incredible! I
think my favorite talk was by Elder Sabin. I love the way he presented
the information, I love the idea of being "all in." The other thing
that really stuck out to me was when Elder Nelson talked about
spiritually stretching beyond anything you've done before. I want to
be all in! I want to spiritually stretch beyond anything I've done
before. I want these last few months to be completely given to the
Lord. I know Christ will help me as I strive to achieve this goal. He
has before, and always will.

Some quick finding miracles from this week. As we were trying to
contact some less-actives given to us by the ward, we found a new
potential investigator! We knocked on the door and this kind woman
answered the door. She wasn't able to talk long because she said she
was making dinner, but she asked us to come back when we could! When
we were on exchanges this week, Elder Pierce and I felt the spirit
tell us that there were 4 different houses we needed to visit that
day. So, acting on faith, we hopped in the truck and let the spirit
guide us at every turn. After driving for a while we felt that we
needed to stop, and we also felt like we were supposed to knock on the
door directly across the street. We did so and a wonderful lady named
Joan came out and greeted us. She was pretty closed at first, but we
showed her the video "none were with him" by Jeffrey R. Holland and
she softened up quite a bit! We gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon
and she told us she would read it, and to come back. We then felt we
should walk across the street and knock on the door directly opposite.
They also answered the door! They were not quite as open, but they
said they were willing to have us come back. The spirit then directed
us down another street and sure enough, the first door we knocked on,
they invited us in! Their names were David and Kelee. They were
incredibly kind and friendly. They both served missions of their own
for their churches and were completely supportive of what we do,
though we had different beliefs. This isn't luck, these are miracles.
The last door we knocked on, a kind man named Joe answered the door.
He said that he didn't know how interested he would be, but that his
kids might be interested! We're hoping to get the whole family.
Anyways, that was kind of a crazy night, Elder Pierce and I were both
stunned. Miracles happen! These things are too much of a coincidence
to be a coincidence!

I love you all so much. Remember to be "all in!"

Love,
Elder Thomas

COWBOY HAT!!!

The BOM.com :)

Chilling by the fire with my cowboy hat and Nala :) YUS.

#PRINCEofPEACE! Share the video.

Pressure-washing Barb's alley

Awww look at them being peaceful!

ETTE. Endure to the End!

Pictures from the week

Eating lunch in paradise :)

I LOVE KALISPELL.

Elder Christensen and I. We have been having so much fun!

Cool fire pic.

Happy Birthday to me :) The Taylor family made me 

apple crisp and put a candle in it! They are the best :)

Kind of a Clumsy Week

Dear Family and Friends,

SO MUCH has happened this week.

On Monday we celebrated Payslee and Brother Boyces birthdays for cookie night! I cant tell you all enough how much I love this family. They are so much fun and they take such good care of us.

Tuesday morning we woke up at about 3:30 AM to get ready to go to MLC in Helena. 30 minutes later we were in the truck and driving. It is in moments like this that I really wish I wasn't the designated driver, I was so tired. At 6AM we finally got to Missoula, I crawled into the back, put my earplugs in and had a glorious nap until we got to Helena 2 hours later.

MLC was really cool! We discussed Facebook and some changes we were going to make so that the entire mission could be on the same page. We also discussed the focus of the transfer which is chapter 4 and chapter 10 in Preach My Gospel, recognizing the Holy Ghost and improving our teaching. We are excited for this transfer. Quote of the Day: "There are no dead areas, just dead missionaries." -President Wadsworth

Aaaaaand then we drove back. We got home at 8:30 that night. Insanity.

On Friday we woke up early so that we could go help a nonmember family move some furniture. I was wearing my favorite gray suit that I had owned since sophomore year, so you can imagine how thin the fabric on the seat of the pants is. When I squatted down to lift the couch, my pants ripped all along the back of the pants haha. I was already holding the couch, so I just had another elder walk right behind me as we carried the couch outside. Needless to say, we were a little late to Zone Training because we were getting me some new pants haha. Best part? President and Sister Wadsworth were at our Zone Training haha, ill never hear the end of it. Every time I did something that day someone said, don't rip your pants!

One of the last crazy things that happened this week was when we went and tried to contact a former investigator. When we first got there she just seemed like this nice old lady who was willing to listen, then everything changed, all the sudden she just went very anti. It was a little scary to be honest.

We had stake conference this week with Elder Rawson! I got so much out of it, but by far my favorite quote was this, "When you ask a question, you create a place in your mind for an answer. If we don't ask the question, we may get an answer but it won't stick because there is no place for it to go."
-Elder Rawson I love that! Ive never thought about it that way, and this new perspective has made me always want to have a question.

I don't know what it was this week, but a lot of crazy stuff happened. I got beat in a game of PIG by an 11 year old girl (It was on a little nerf hoop, but STILL), I got pulled over at 5 AM on my way to MLC because I missed a speed limit sign, I slipped in mud as we were trying to take a picture, I slipped off a porch into a thorn bush while tracting, and I ripped my pants trying to pick up a couch. It was... Interesting haha.

QUOTE OF MY LIFE:
"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light get's in."
-Leonard Cohen

Love,
Elder Thomas

When you woke up at 3AM

City streets (Tyrna get some Pita Pit in Missoula)

Thrift shop treasures

When you just really like dogs...

Photoshoot!

Transfers are INSANE

Dear Family and Friends,

It was hard to say goodbye to Elder Fleming but change is good, it helps us grow! Elder Christensen and I get along extremely well. In missionary work, the ideal situation is when you have two missionaries that are trying their hardest to be more like Christ and to be the best missionaries that they can be! When that happens, the companionship will have unity, and Elder Christensen and I are very unified.

The last few days before Elder Fleming left were full of a lot of hard goodbyes and visits. He is very loved here and nobody really wanted to see him go. On Tuesday we woke up and drove to Helena to drop him off and bring Elder Christensen back. That is about 4 hours of driving there, and then 4 hours back. The drive back was full of a lot of talking and getting to know each other. We knew right off the bat that we were going to get along. I am pleased to announce that their were no accidents this time haha.

The rest of the week has been busy and crazy! One of the best things that happened this week was that Mike Roberts is starting to show some serious, consistent progress! He asked a lot more questions about specific teachings in the Book of Mormon when we came back this last time, he came to church, AND he has made it through two hours of church now! He's getting closer and closer.

Our investigator that is on date for baptism, Noelle, came to church this week! This has been a goal of hers for a little bit and she is hoping to make this a lot more consistent. She is a very brave, determined woman and we are proud of her. Please keep her in your prayers as she tries to find a job.

Please also include Chelsey Junkin (hard to find a time to meet with her), Tifani Curtin (trying to get work off on Sundays), and Autumn (a member's non-member friend we are trying to meet with).

We have also been working a lot closer with the YSA branch, and we have already seen miracles. One girl has a good friend, Autumn, that has started coming to institute with her and a less-active young man everyone has been worried about just came back to church! This is a very choice group of people, we are lucky to get to work with them. This week the YSA had a game night and a "cookie and soup cook-off," and they were some of the funnest/funniest nights I have had in a while. Just so y'all know, my Disney trivia skills are lacking after these last 18 months haha.

One of the funnest things that happened this week was when we ran out to Whitefish to deliver some supplies to the elders out there. While we were there, Elder Christensen wanted to see an investigator that he knows, so we went to his work to say hi. His name is Trini, and he is one of the coolest people I have ever met in my life! He was extremely kind to us, and invited us and the other elders over in about an hour, so we went and grabbed lunch and then headed over. This man and his wife have been investigating the church for 13 years and they're getting really close. They are basically Mormon. We had such a fun time getting to know them and discussing the gospel. You never know when they will finally be ready, so you just keep trying!

I love you all! Remember to pray for missionary experiences.

Love,
Elder Thomas

Elder Christensen and Chick-Fil-A (the Only one in the mission)

Beautiful sunrise from this week

Comp of the year. Getting tucked in 👌

Trini's motorcycle collection

NALA!

Haha Daylight Savings was just too much for him 😂

Transfers Are Here!

Dear Family and Friends,

No time today my friends, no time! First of all, we found out that
Elder Fleming is getting transferred to the Billings East Zone, which
we are NOT happy about. I am going to miss him a ton, he has been an
incredibly kind and patient companion. We worked hard together and got
a lot done. Elder Jon Christensen will be my new companion, and
honestly I do not really know anything about him. He looks like a cool
kid, we should get along very well.

Also we helped the Stuarts pull down trees. (See attached video)

We had some very good lessons this week! They were great haha but I
don't have any time to write about them! We did put a woman named
Noelle on date for baptism this week though, which is super cool. More
next week, I love you all and hope you are remaining close to the
Lord.

Love,
Elder Thomas

The District

We got caught eating Banana Cream Pie (new fave dessert)

Elder Fleming tried to open a can without a can opener haha

Photo Cred: Elder Brandon Rich. Caption Cred: Me :)

Photo Cred: Elder G. Austin Porter. Caption Cred: Also me!

Also we pulled down a tree at the Stuart's because we're manly. 

Don't worry mom, I'm fine. :)

                                        

It is STILL SNOWING.

Dear Family and Friends,

There are few things sweeter than when someone you have been teaching
looks you in the eyes and tells you that they can feel the spirit. At
that point they have learned to recognize the spirit for themselves,
and that will help them to chase after it when you are gone. This
exact thing happened this last week during a lesson with Barb, an
inactive member in the ward. Barb has never been active, though she
was baptized as a kid. This week we taught about the Book of Mormon
and she told us she believed it was true because she felt the spirit!
She is an amazing woman.

A while ago I wrote about helping a partly active family (she and the
children are active, he is not) do demolition on their house, the
Stuart's. Well this week Brother Stuart chopped down a bunch of trees
and asked for our help hauling the wood into piles. Let me tell ya, I
felt SO MANLY, running around with logs on my shoulder and chucking
them. It was cold, snowy, wet and everything felt so REAL. I love this
kind of work. By the end we were each sore, dirty, and tired, and then
they even gave us dinner! I love the Stuart's.

Thursday morning we woke up at 4:30 AM to go to a meeting in Missoula
called Zone Conference. The entire Zone Conference was amazing, but
there is one thing in particular I would like to share with all those
reading this. Studies have found that the longest lasting conversions
happen in the teens to mid twenties. So all you youth reading this,
get to it!! We need you.

I'm not sure whether I have mentioned Melissa and Nathaniel before,
but they are two less-actives we have been teaching recently.
Nathaniel was in a bad accident a while ago so he is in a wheelchair
and Melissa is his caretaker. They are both amazing. Nathaniel is one
of the most positive people I have met in my life, and Melissa is so
kind. This week we talked about trials and how they can strengthen us,
and they both participated so well. Nathaniel's testimony of Christ
being there for us made me want to cry, the spirit was so strong. We
are so proud of these two.

Last of all, we got to teach Mike Roberts again! Mike really likes to
talk... a ton. So it's kinda hard to keep him on track, but this week
he kept his commitments to read the Book of Mormon and come to church!
He is making progress, even if it's slow.

Happy news of the week, the Gardners got a puppy, and I love her! Her
name is Nala, and she is perfect. She did scare us half to death
yesterday though. As we were leaving to go to another one of our
meetings, she ran under the truck with out us knowing and Sister
Gardner had to come running out to get us to stop, we had already
driven a few feet. We thought we had killed her! But it was just a
close call. It took some coaxing for us to get her to come out from
under the truck, but she was totally safe, thank goodness.

Wow, this email is super long today. I love you all!

Love,
Elder Thomas

The Zone at MLC

Elder Chamberlain and Elder Anderson 

(these two look like cousins or something)

Beautiful Montana 😍

The Gardner's new puppy! Her name is Nala :) 

(S/o to the Latu's cute dog!)

She likes to chase the shovel when we're snow shoveling haha

We're in the 40's!

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you all for your Valentine's Day wishes:) I felt very loved this
last Tuesday. I forgot to take a picture with all the Valentine's
y'all sent me, but they made me so happy!!

This week was so fulfilling because we worked hard! There is nothing
more satisfying than that. We even broke out the bikes on Friday
because the temp got up to 45 degrees! Crazy right? Our backs got
covered in mud though... so it was a success!

We challenged the Shockley's to read the Book of Mormon this week! She
was a little hesitant but he seemed all for it. I think a part of him
misses the church he was raised in, the true church. We can't wait to
see if they read it! Every time we go over there, her little one year
old crawls over to me and tries to climb up my leg, and it's torture
because I can't hold her! She is very adorable.

Last thing I have time to talk about is our snowball fight! This week
Eric Gardner (the 15 year old son of the members we live with) had a bunch
of friends over and they were hot tubbing pretty close to our
apartment. They started throwing snow at our apartment so we snuck out
the bathroom window and started throwing back! This began an epic snow
battle (which we won of course) but ended after about half an hour
when Sister Gardner came out with a spotlight and told us, in her very
motherly way, to stop it right now... whoops;) I love living here!!!

Love you all!

Love,
Elder Thomas

40 DEGREES BABY!!!!

Passed a cool barn on the way home :)