Kansas ~

"The picture that gives me bragging rights in any situation." ~ Elder Thomas

Kansas (n.)(Native American)- flat and just as exciting as it sounds.

We got a referral from the mission office. There was just one problem. It was in Kansas. We are the closest Spanish missionaries to them so it was sent to us. And that is how the adventure started. With high hopes of mystical wonder and 'Wizard of Oz' like scenery, we set off in the 'limited mile mission vehicle' with the Young Single Adult Branch missionaries. The road trip commenced with great enthusiasm and excitement, however the excitement vanished just as quickly as our 79 cent gas station drinks. Even though, we had all become four state missionaries, Kansas wasn't as eventful as we imagined. However, the referral we went to contact wasn't home, but his brother was. Now, that was eventful. His brother, from Guatemala, took a Book of Mormon and said he'd read it, but we have no way to get back up there. The Lord has left us all with a cliff hanger. Oh, and I forgot to mention we met Amelia Earheart and the Wright brothers.

We concluded weekly planning and headed out into the rain that has decided to stay in the area much longer than expected. We had a couple set appointments but no one had called us back and dinner hadn't called back either. We were worried. We taught a part member family and their daughters loved the plan of salvation and came to church with their Dad! But back to the story, we were unsure where to turn, try to call dinner back with the hopes of not making an awkward situation more awkward by basically asking for food twice, or going to the unconfirmed appointment. The lot fell on the unconfirmed appointment. We went over and the man answered the door, dirty from work. He said that they were just about to eat, but then his face changed and he asked if we had eaten. We responded no, to which he just said, come in. We were able to teach that less active family, eat with them and then have an incredible night. When we have no idea whats going on the Lord does. Y'all probably think it's just that hungry me but it was so awesome to see the Lord watch out for us. During a lesson this week we were teaching outside and we prayed that it wouldn't rain until we left. The lesson ended and the investigator got in her car and the downpour began. The Lord helps us if we ask Him. It's pretty awesome seeing that so often out here.

Love you all!

Adios,

Elder Thomas    

gas station restroom photos

"Are you as excited about elevators as I am?" ~ Elder Thomas

   

Mom, I'm Getting Reassigned....

     

    Just kidding. I'm not moving, just the mission name is changing. The Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Joanne, our favorite abuelita, said this in response; "I think that is just putrid." When asked why, she said, "Because I'm in Tulsa, not Bentonville!" I think it will be a cool change, but I'll always be part of the OTM.

     Now I would like to share a tender mercy. We have worked really hard this week. Our goal was to have an active member lesson every day and we set them all up on Sunday. Much to our dismay, just about every single one of them had to be reschedule. We worked our tails off trying to find other members and we definitely received some divine help. I was shot just about every day, and not just because of the 'Elder Thomas, Get JACKED' Workout Program, that we've been doing. We have put everything we had into this work and we had our fair share of failures and successes. On one of the days with a few more failures than successes, we walked back to the car with the hopes to head home. We had ended on a high note by inviting a man to church and he said that he was planning on it, but we were still beat. Then we saw an angel. About thirty feet from reaching our car, we hear a man coming toward us. Hat sideways, cigarette in mouth, riding a bike three sizes too small, blasting that hardcore rap you are afraid your children enjoy. He shouted, "Will y'all say a pray for me?!" Then stuck out his arm, high fived us, and rode... wheelied away. Some may say, 'How strange", but to me it lifted my spirits and made me smile. The Lord blesses us in peculiar ways occasionally. I am so glad that we are taken care of by being blessed by 'angels' in disguise. I love this Gospel and know it can help us all.

I love y'all

Adios

Elder Thomas

A Spanish Lesson for Aspiring Spanish Speakers

Best Mother's Day gift ever!

A brief lesson in Spanish: If you are going to speak Spanish, speak Spanish and not a mix. We ate dinner with a woman for her birthday and I forgot her name when we all sang happy birthday in English so the dinner was a little tense, but their son had brought his new wife to be to the dinner and introduced her to the rest of his siblings and their families. His fiancée served in New York Spanish speaking and she understood what was going on at the table. But then, like a loud stomach rumble in the middle of an AP test she erupted with this phrase in response to a comment about birthdays: "Puedes tener like un trono o algo! es like tu cumpleanos!" If you notice, there are two English words there. These words were used multiple times throughout the rest of her dialogue. As muffled chuckles were heard from the corner of the table from the missionaries, the people that only spoke Spanish scratched their heads in confusion, but they got the point. But she spoke Spanish really well and I imagine she was a great missionary. Sorry for the judgments.   

Anyway, I had received a voicemail just after this dinner, a older lady on the other end mumbled, "Thomas, I'm in the hospital." Joanne, our favorite Abuelita in Tulsa, had a little blood problem and was admitted into the hospital. We dropped everything, everything being nothing because everything cancelled (The Lord is definitely watching over His servants so He can send them to help others.), and searched for the pie shaped room in the massive hospital where Joanne was. As we walked there, nurses that had helped Joanne looked at us and pointed to her room. We found her talking to the nurses about her 'boys' and she was wrapped in her OKC Thunder blanket. After talking for a minute about what happened she looked up at us and said joyfully, "I'm happy to see my boys," paused and said, "I need a blessing." It was a cool experience and she will be fine. The Priesthood power is real and it was a privilege to stand in place of Christ and help her. I love this gospel and am grateful that we can repent and work everyday to become more like our Savior. This mission and gospel has changed me and I am so blessed. I know the Lord is watching over my family while they've had a rough week by blessing them with their friends, family and the Spirit. Thank you all for taking care of them. I love you all!

Adios,

Elder Thomas

P.S.My Dad likes York mints and my Mom likes Dr. Pepper. Just a suggestion. haha   

A turtle and a frozen beverage waiting to call my family.

Arguable, the best 'get better soon' card I've ever seen in my life.

   

Advice and Birthday Cake

Sorry not a lot of time this week.

A piece of advice: Go buy a 52 oz. (or larger)  mug from a gas station of choice. You will be hydrated and able to help a woman fill the radiator of her car when it's overheated.

 

Everyone's favorite 91 year old, Joanne, celebrated her 91st birthday and we were part of it. During service at a man's home where we are in the process of turning a barn into a home, he taught me the ways of making a cake. She loved it, which was a surprise to me, due to the many mess ups I had.

 

We went to her church this week. Many senior citizens all trying to adjust their hearing aids simultaneously in an attempt to hear the pastor. But I loved it and left with an interesting perspective. They had their own form of the sacrament. It was blessed and passed much like ours, and much like ours the songs prepared the minds of the people. It was very reverent and lovely. During the passing, a choir of bells played, each person playing a different one just next to the congregation. It might have been the age of the individuals in attendance or just the lack of small children, but it was so peaceful and spiritual. These people have a genuine desire to follow Christ and it was inspiring. Later that day at our church the congregation sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". The spirit was so strong and powerful and I felt a great appreciation for the knowledge that I have that we are following Him in the most correct ways and I do know that He lives.

I love you all, thank you for taking care of my Dad and Mom and the brothers! Thank you so much, it means the world to me.

Adios,

Elder Thomas