Monday, July 27, 2015

When You're 15...

As we have all learned from the country turned pop super star Taylor Swift, 'when you're 15,' something happens. I cant actually remember the song because I never entered the country or pop music realm. But something occurs and two evenings ago I learned what that something is. In the Hispanic culture there is something know by many as a 'Quincenera'. It is essentially a celebration on reaching an age where a child becomes an adult. To us here in the United States, such an event would be know as a 'Sweet 16', but south of Texas they celebrate it a year prior at the age of 15. Once 15, the child, usually a girl, has a party. Now, imagine a sweet sixteen here in America. With such parties that I am accustomed to maybe 20 in attendance if a large gathering with a handful of snacks and pizza and maybe a movie. Take that idea and multiply it by 37. 


     Our Ward Mission Leader's daughter reached 15 and so he told us all to come because there would be food in abundance. Because no appointments were set and we lacked a dinner appointment and the missionaries next door were in the same boat, we went. We were unprepared for what we were about to see. The church parking lot was filling quickly as people filed into the church. We entered and bumped into a couple of members who heard about it. We entered the gymnasium and found what appeared to be the wrong place or it was one of those shows on TLC where they talk to some lady and give her a dream wedding. I was wrong either way. 

     We were in the right place. They had waiters, tables with food as far as the aged eye could see, a famous Hispanic DJ and a entourage of teenagers with more high school dramas problems than I did! The food was excellent, and it was great to talk with everyone in the peculiar 'royal wedding-esque' setting. Suddenly the lights turned down and the Prince Royce and other Hispanic jams came out. The space in the center of the gum soon filled with the teenagers. My dancing soul nearly took over, as I remembered dancing at high school day. My district leader who sat next to me, said in unison with me lets get out of here. We ran for the door and as we sprinted to the exit of the church, fighting against the urge to dance, i realized i was alone. I turned to find my district leader with his hand turning the knob of the gym door. Leaping like a snow leopard on an arctic seal, I pried his hands from the door and dragged him out of the building. With the other elders no where to be found, it was every man for himself and we just hoped they made it out alive. We stumbled to the car as the rigatone shook the church like it had presumably shaken two innocent missionaries who had just escaped its grasp. All in all a fun adventure.

     We taught the A family again and did it in form of a friendly game of Jeopardy. As the game came to a close and family tensions high I figured it would be good to leave on a spiritual note. The topic arose of praying about an answer. Humbly, the oldest girl said that she had been praying and looking for an answer. She said that she was still searching in words that brought me to tears. She was a humble searcher of the truth still looking. With tears in our eyes we promised her what her answer would be. Tonight we will be teaching them more about answers but I know that the Lord is preparing her. She's only 11 but she acts much older. It is a privilege to see the Lord prepare others and be part of it. I love this mission and the people who help us and the people that the Lord has allowed us to help. It is incredible and I would suggest that you all share this Gospel with everyone too. You'll feel joy and have a lot of stories. A lot.
     Thank you all so much for everything you do for me and my family. thank you for convincing Isaac to get a haircut a while back too. He looks really manly now and he is single too.

Adios,
Elder Thomas






Monday, July 20, 2015

"And the Days Go By" ~ The Talking Heads


Yeah, a year out here is like a week at home. It feels like yesterday I was at Summit Academy talking about friends passing out in science class and what was due next in US History and now, I'm nearly 20, teaching English in T-Town and can't eat food without something as hot or hotter than a jalapeno. And the days go by. 

The Wedding that I was supposed to witness at happened but I was not a witness due to a relative attending. We didn't really know the family but in the past Elders and Sisters had changed their life and so we were invited. We sat in the Primary room, with the AC blowing but with no lasting effect, in a small crowd of maybe 15 others. The service was done by the Branch President in English and Spanish to accommodate the audience whose ethnicity varied from former member of the Confederate States of America to pura mexicana. As the President wiped his forehead for what had to have been the 53 time in the past 8 minutes, the couple said "I do" and "Si". It was the quickest Latter Day Saint service I have ever attended and one of the only ones that lacked the phrase, 'bless these brownies' in the closing prayer probably due to the fact there was no closing prayer. They drove over to their home to say that prayer. Although it was quick, the Spirit was their in some way or another for all in attendance.
      
I have a suggestion for everyone reading. Go to the nearest Hispanic Store. Wear an outfit much like the CIA or FBI would wear and then casually walk up to the cash register and state in Spanish quite loudly, that you will be starting an English Class and were wondering if they would like to join or if you could put up flyers in the store for it, then tell them that it is free. I promise you that every single person within ear shot of you will turn toward you and begin to ask "Where?". This was our experience a week ago. We took a lap in El Guanajuato and talked with every single person about our class. I felt kind of goofy running around in the little tienda, an onlooker outside of the store would probably have presumed that I had lost my marbles. But it was worth it and we hope to see the fruits of this bizarre task tomorrow at the next English Class.
    
This work is awesome and I have kind of lost myself in it. And I think that is the best way to do it, lose yourself and work for others. Christ will help us along and we'll find happiness. I have found true happiness and hope that I can help others feel it as well.

Gracias para toda su ayuda! Thanks for all your help!
Adios,
Elder Thomas      


Monday, July 13, 2015

What's the Cure to Vitamin A Deficiency?...


What's the cure to Vitamin A deficiency?.....

The title was a question from a guy we met in a less active lady's thrift shop. He told us the cure is Vitamin A and then proceeded to explain how the government knows that Vitamin A could cure everything but won't let us have it. In other words stock up on Vitamin A.

The local Hispanic salon was closed and so we had to opt for another source to cut our thinning hair. The other place was close by and was hidden in the corner of a strip mall behind the large trees of the common variety that provide shade to much of the town. To adequately explain what was in the little shop and the effect it had on my companion and I, I must first explain what we were wearing. Due to service being our next activity of the day, we were in service clothes, but like most missionaries know, service is a great opportunity to practice what one will wear in the real world upon arrive. Therefore, weather permitting, the average missionary will usually be vested in their finest attire, which for me was a Mexico Jersey, my bright red Converse and a Quicksilver hat with a variety of tropical themed objects sketched out around it. As we entered, I knew I picked the wrong clothes for such a haircut. Every person in the establishment was above the age of 60, nearly bald and has gotten their haircut at this same establishment by the same barber named Neldon for the past 30 years. They all were wearing, socks and sandals, conservative style polo shirts tucked into nice khakis. The whole place was littered with harsh comments about the government and how kids are ruining society. We were an excellent example of such 'kids'. I have never received more dirty looks in my life. Not one of them said a word, except, "the usually," to the barbers. We were out of place. Immediately following the haircut, we gave them a pass-along card and ran to buy Azteka taco truck so we could feel back at home. 

We received a call on Friday from a member of the branch presidency. They kindly asked if we could play the piano during Sacrament Meeting. I said sure and then totally forgot. Sunday morning came along and as I arose ate some watermelon and casually did what I do every morning and then as I walked past our electric piano to go get more watermelon it hit me like a raccoon jumping on my face. I immediately sat down and practiced along with my companion. We ran to the church early to practice in the primary room. Just before Sacrament meeting commenced, they said, 'Elders, there are only three hymns you picked, what about the intermediate hymn?' Elder Williams stepped forward and said, 'I'll play a musical number.' And began practicing the only other hymn he knew. Many prayers offered and practicing down, the meeting began. We receive a lot of help from above and it went totally fine, which was an absolute miracle. We are really weak people but grace covers our weaknesses.

One less active family we have recently started teaching had a question for me. The Mom, Dad, Son and Abuelita live together trying to make it by, and the Dad, an American doesn't speak much Spanish but they communicate well. They aren't married yet but the first time we met them that is what the Mom wanted to do. And we all know Mom rules the house and so that is what is happening. As we closed the lesson and their young son ran around their small apartment yelling, "I'm Spiderman!', she asked me to be a witness at her wedding. I have no idea what that entails but I have a feeling it will involve food after. Its this Friday so I will let you know what occurs. Its very neat that she chose me.

We met another less active family and they were about to leave but sometimes these things take a little longer for Elder Thomas to figure out. After the teenage daughter stormed in said we need to go NOW to her parents, it was fairly apparent we needed to leave. I said a silent prayer that I could pick a scripture that would help them. I asked if we could share something before they departed and the offer was accepted. Without taking thought I flipped open to Ether 12:27, read it said I was weak and Christ helps me be strong. With the family in commotion ready to leave, the Dad said that is my favorite scripture. I have no idea if this had any effect on him, but it was a witness to me that our Heavenly Father hears us and answers us always. 

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Elder Thomas

PS sorry for the lack of pictures I might have broken my camera, but I bought an old school one (circa 1997) and am waiting for the photos to get developed at the local Walmart. Ill send them next week. Sorry 



July 15, 2014 ~ A year ago this week we said adios to Elder Thomas as he boarded a plane to Mexico City.


Now a year has gone by.....
We sent a half way package to Ian and Riley.




Monday, July 6, 2015

OTM to ABM

   
Watching fireworks from Riverside.



On July 1st, the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission changed to the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. (Or I guess you could say the Walmart Headquarters Mission, but WHM doesn't have the same ring.) President and Sister Shumway did a final conference call and shared their departing testimonies. They are two of the strongest followers of Christ I've met and they will be missed. They waved goodbye to the new mission home and President and Sister Loveland arrived. We had a mini Zone Conference and we were able to meet them. They are both happy, friendly and ready to serve. I can't wait to serve with them.


    Some say that Frisbee in an uneven field can occasionally cause lost object of high sentimental value. To some, missionaries to be exact, it could be your name tag. At the close of the what was going to be two hour game, but turned into twenty minutes due to the humidity, a fellow missionary lost the magnet to his name tag. I would dare say that it is easier to find a Five Finger Death Punch fan at a Zupa's than his magnet. The mere size of the field could make the hopefully searcher wince. We fanned out and searched in the Oklahoman humidity, but as the minutes flew by and the missionaries stomachs ached for semi-nutritious sustenance the search was nearly called off. But woe is to the missionaries who forgot to practice their own preaching. One missionary suggested a prayer be offered, and due to the circumstances the suggestion was approved quickly. The missionaries huddled in the heat and moments later amen was said in one accord and a missionary jokingly remarked that the one to find it would be the next apostle. Approximately seven seconds after the prayer concluded my companion found the green magnet lying in the grass. But all joking aside, in the peculiarity of praying in the middle of a field with a bunch of sweaty guys, prayers are heard not matter how small the request. If we are willing to exercise the faith to pray He will answer.

     If this event on the first day of the week was to foreshadow or prelude what was to follow, the week would be phenomenal. And it was.

     We found a plethora of new people, found many who want to be baptized, an investigating family with their sights already on the temple, were fed excellent food every evening, watched fireworks with fellow followers of the faith and saw one final miracle. 

     We have to pass the Sacrament and most of the time I forget where to go. For the what had to have been the 32 time, the young deacon explained to me that I was going on the far side in the middle. Mid explanation, Elder Williams nearly shouted, 'There is Veronica!' I looked back to see all of V's family walking into the Chapel. The three young girls and their mother walked in and sat down beside their extended family. A smile was inadequate to express the happiness I felt as I saw them all sit as a family, so I am fairly sure I nearly cried. The Lord had worked some miracle that is beyond my understanding and had helped V's mother, who didn't want to come to church see a need to attend and she came. We will be talking with them tonight and I cant wait to see how she liked it. 

     I love this mission and I am really excited to serve for another year! 



Adios,
Elder Thomas     
Service turned into try to take creepy pictures with old Amish and Panama Jack hats

A view from the highest apartments I've seen in Tulsa. right before a storm.
Joanne called us and said there will be storms during the week but today (Monday
) will be pretty hot