1/18
Hey everyone! All good over here in Portugal! So
far this week we have been called Satan 3 times, had a crazy drunk guy who had
no clothes on try and give us a hug, saw a mini car crash, got yelled at
countless times by random people because they think we worship Joseph
Smith....and lots more haha! Our spirits are still high though! It actually just
makes me laugh that people think we are so bad. All we are trying to do is help
them. It’s sad to see how big of a hold satan has on some people, especially
when you are doing something good. I have seen that a lot now and can recognize
it more easily. A lot has been happening with one of our investigators.
Her name is Anicy, and she is super humble and super accepting. We have had
many lessons with her this week. She knows this gospel is true and even started
crying at one point after I bore testimony. She had to go out of the room and
come back. After Anicy left the room she told us that she knows it’s true but
time after time when we leave she starts to have doubts again. There have been
several occassions where she committed to going to church with us but she always ended
up not coming because doubts started creeping in. Yesterday though she finally
came! We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen but I know that she knows
there is something different about this church. I want to testify to all of you
that it’s true. This church is God’s church which is why Satan will do anything
in his power to try and prevent God’s children to know that. Even though he
tries, I know that light will always overcome the darkness. There is nothing the
Lord can’t do. I’m happy to be given a reminder of this every single day here.
I hope to have some good news for you all next time concerning the situation. I
hope you all have a great week this week. Miss and love you all. Amo Voces.
Love,
Elder Thomas
Part of Brock’s message to me: I really want this mission to change me so one day I found this
talk that is called the 4th missionary. Please read it. You will understand
more about what I want. Anyway, I have been reading and pondering about it. It
basically talks about how the 4th missionary is the one who truly changes on
his mission. He is the one who truly gives himself to God. He gives his dreams,
desires, wants, everything! He gives his
will to the Lord and serves with all his might, mind and heart. I have been
thinking about this a lot and what I need to do to become this type of
missionary.
1/25
Hey everyone! So not much has happened this week.
Right now things are a little slow and we haven’t been having as much success
as we would like but this next week is going to be different. Our entire
mission however, has been doing really well. Yesterday we had 4 baptisms at our chapel. I
love seeing baptisms! It’s one of the greatest experiences seeing people’s
entire lives basically change right before your eyes. The happiness on their
faces afterward is incredible. I love this gospel and I’m grateful that I can
be here. During this mission I have seen lives change but while doing so I have felt
a change in my life as well. I love my Heavenly Father for the opportunity to
do this and to help his children return back to him. I love all you and hope
everyone has a good week!
Love, Elder Thomas
Part of Brock’s message to me: This
week I have continued to read the 4th missionary over and over because I really
want to be that type of missionary. It’s been in my head these last few weeks
and it’s all I want to focus on right now.
2/1
Sooo… just a normal week here in
Portugal! To start off I went on a division with our district leader and it
turned out to be pretty fun because we got into about 20 different debates with
all these anti-mormom people haha. They think we worship Joseph Smith. The
debate would usually stop after we told them to just look at our plaque on our
church building which cleary says the The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day
Saints. It got pretty interesting at times and I even had an older man who got
right in my face and at one point thought he was going to spit on me. Anyway
the rest of the week was pretty normal. We are trying to find new people to
teach but it’s challenging. We won’t give up though! Another funny thing that
happened this week was a couple days ago when we were teaching an English class.
We started teaching about foods and we started going down the food pyramid with
them. We usually have them repeat what we say out loud so they get a feel for
it. Well, when it got down to DAIRY I took over....I felt really bad but I just
wanted to see if anyone would get it. I had them all repeat me but I told them instead
to say Diarrhea. I do feel bad but it was seriously the funniest thing because
they just sat there after and didn’t know why we were laughing, Well that’s my week
for ya! Don't take after my bad example! I love Missions and I love these people
even more. I love you all and hope you all got a kick from this story. Have a
good week!
Love, Elder Thomas
Comment from Me: Oh my goodness
BROCK!!!! Yes bad example! haha I have to remember these boys are still young
and immature!
2/8
Hey everyone! This week was really good. It
started off by marking the Mom of our last baptism, for baptism. Her name is
Luisa. It was actually super difficult haha. My companion and I both ended up
having to baptize her because she’s about 90 years old, totally blind, and
can’t walk. We had to carry her into the font. It was hilarious because the
entire time she kept saying "Is it done?” “Am I baptized?" haha then
when she actually got into the water she yelled out "ITS FREEZING, I was
already baptized…get me out of here!"….then we dunked her. It was so
awesome though and she was happy after. It made us feel happy knowing that she
now has a chance to live with her daughter forever. The rest of the week went
super smooth. We celebrated "Carnival" this week, which is this huge
party that they have for 4 days in a row. We had this party with all the
members which was super fun because one of my favorite members Samuel dressed
up like some gangster and danced to every song haha. I love the members here!
Transfers are next week and I honestly hope I stay because it would be sad to
leave them but we will see! Already going into my 3rd transfer pretty soon and
FINALLY I’m done with training. I’m excited to see what happens. Anyway thats
about it here, I hope everyone had a fun SUPERBOWL weekend! (sorry Panthers)
Love you guys, Ate logo.
Love, Elder Thomas
2/15/16
Hey Everyone! Sooo not too much has
happened this week. We have started to teach some of our investigators again that
we stopped teaching because they weren’t progressing but now they seem totally
different. We had a really powerful lesson with Anicy (remember her?) and I feel like she will definitely be
baptized within these next few weeks as long as we keep moving at this same
pace. It’s funny how the Lord does things sometimes. He knows who is ready and
who is not. It’s about putting trust and faith in him and letting him guide
you. We can’t see the way, but he can. Oh and the lady we baptized last week
that was in her 90s, she was confirmed this week and during her confirmation
she kept saying, “Yes, thank you Senior Padre,” which means “Sir Father OR Lord
Father.” She’s funny! So one thing I’ve
been trying to work on more this week is trusting the Lord and letting him be
my guide to those people who he knows are ready. Another thing that happened
this week are transfers! It turns out that I will be staying in the same area
but I will receive a new companion tomorrow. It’s going to be crazy because now
I have to be the one who shows him around everywhere but it will be good! I
also hit my 4 month mark! It’s crazy how fast it’s gone but then again it
really has felt like a lifetime but I’m loving it here! I’m finally done with
training also haha! Anyway, I hope everyone had a good week. To all you lovers
out there, I hope you had a good Valentines Day! Miss and Love you all, Ate
Logo.
Com amor, Elder Thomas
