January 8, 2018

Happy New Year!!

     I hope you all had a good new year! It's been a good one already for me! Well I got the news this week that I'll be leaving the country. I'll be going to the kingdom of Lesotho! Hahah I'm really excited for this new opportunity. I've heard good things and always kind of wanted to go there at least so I could say I've been there. I heard it gets really hot there and I'll be biking or walking, so it looks like I'll be getting fit! Haha

     I'm so grateful for my time here in Molweni for the past 6 months. I've really come to love the people here and even though the area wasn't the easiest I'm so grateful for what I've learned and become in the last 6 months. I've truly seen miracles. I've learned to trust in our Heavenly Father and his timing and his plans -he's so good and knows better than us. My testimony has grown soo much here and it really helped me to become a better leader and person. I'm so thankful for all of our investigators and I'm sad to be leaving them behind. I wish I could take them with me, but it's been such an amazing experience to hear them bearing their testimonies about the Book of Mormon and to have seen how much they've all progressed. Hopefully I'll get to hear about Colleen's and Xolani's baptisms! I'm thankful for all of the wonderful examples in this branch.

     I'll send you a picture of baba Duma. He's been one of the people I've been closest to in my time in Molweni. He's such an example to me, he walks about 3 miles each way to church every week by himself. He's the only member in his family and he never misses and he's always on time. He always magnifies his calling and puts others before himself. He's the kind of guy that if he has something to give, he'll give it even if that means he won't have any for himself. He's been such a help to us as the missionaries and is willing to sacrifice so much of his time for the gospel. He's a true latter-day saint. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Honestly I can't tell you how much the stories and messages found in that book have changed and shaped my life. I'm so grateful that we're led by a Prophet who is actually called of God. Sad that President Monson died, but I know it's also good for him to be with his family and wife again. I hope you guys have a great week!

     Bless up

     Elder Thompson