A Weekend To Remember

Nov. 2, 2015
Hello everyone!

Man, oh man...what a great week! To start out, let me tell you about a

few rule changes we had this week! So we no longer have to listen just

to MoTab! That's right! We are allowed to listen to anything that is

uplifting and spiritual now! Also, just a heads up, our Pday next week

is on Thursday because we are going to the temple! I'm so excited! I

love the Oakland temple! But that means I will be emailing on Thursday

next week!

What a great week we had over here in Petaluma, California! So on

Monday night we went over to Larry's house and did a FHE with him and

his wife Alicia! The Spanish elders came too because they are teaching

Alicia the lessons right now! It was really fun! We carved pumpkins

together and then did a short lesson afterwards! On Tuesday, we had

zone meeting and that's were we learned about the music rule change!

On Wednesday, we taught Camilo his last lesson before his baptism! Oh

Thursday, we went to Sister Flemmings house in Rohnert Park in the

morning and helped shear sheep again! It was so much fun! We took lots

of pictures!

This weekend though was definitely the highlight of the week! So quick

update, remember the Samoan family we found? So I love them. Like a

lot. Haha but each time we went over this week to see them, the mom

was sleeping! Her name is Ulita and she has 8 kids ages 8 months-16

years old. But we finally caught her awake Friday afternoon! We were

able to come in and meet some of the kids and get to know them a

little bit better! Ulita reminds me a lot of Leah! Turns out Ulita has

met with missionaries before and her mom and sister are members but

she's not. She wanted to wait to get baptized until her kids wanted to

get baptized as well. She really wants her kids to be taught by us! I

showed her and her 16 year daughter pictures of Leah and Nikki and

Ulita started crying. She said it meant so much to her knowing that I

have Samoan sisters that are adopted. She said that if they would have

stayed in Samoa that they wouldn't have had a future. She was so

touched by our family and the adoption! I love her! 

On Friday Camilo had his baptismal interview with our district leader in the morning!

Our district leader said that it was one of the most spiritual

experiences of his mission. On Friday night, our ward and the second

ward did a combined trunk or treat! The second ward elders and us did

a missionary trunk together! Haha we took pictures don't worry! But it

was fun seeing everyone dressed up! On Saturday, we had Camilo's

baptism!!! What an amazing experience! The spirit was so strong and

Camilo was in tears afterwards! Sister Majors came back for the

weekend for Camilo's baptism! It was so fun seeing her again! I've

missed her! After the baptism, Camilo threw a BBQ at his house! We

never get tired of Camilo's BBQs! Haha all the missionaries love it

when Camilo throws a BBQ because he invites all the missionaries over!

I love Camilo and his family so much! Saturday night, since it was

Halloween, we weren't allowed to be out after dinner, so we had a Zone

Halloween Party at the church! We played basketball and carved

pumpkins! It was a great way to end the day!

But Sunday was by far the best day this week! Camilo was confirmed

yesterday and Steve passed the sacrament for the first time! Oh and

get this, Camilo shaved. EVERYTHING. Yeah, he shaved his beard and his

head! I could barely recognize him! But he looks good! Fast and

testimony meeting yesterday was sooooo amazing. Camilo bore his

testimony...he is so great. I want all of you to meet Camilo. Camilo's

son, Antonio, got up and bore his testimony. We were not expecting

that! But he bore the sweetest testimony I have ever heard! There

wasn't a dry eye in the room after he was done! We haven't been able

to teach Camilo's kids very much because they aren't home very often,

but Antonio's testimony yesterday, was incredible. Hopefully his kids

will be baptized soon! Camilo was in tears all during sacrament

meeting! It's moments like these that I will cherish for the rest of

my life! After sacrament meeting, a woman came up to us and said that

there was a Polynesian family in the hallways looking for the sister

missionaries! Sister Jordan and I ran out to see Ulita and four of her

kids standing there! They made it to church!!! Ulita brought her four

little ones to church, two five year old, a three year old, and her 8

months old! They are all soooo cute! When they saw me, they ran up to

me and gave me the biggest hugs! I love them so much! They grabbed my

hand and I led them to primary! Ulita and her 8 month old, Hope, came

to gospel principles! Hope is adorable and we were all distracted by

her during class! Haha then in relief society her 3 year old,

Matthias, didn't like nursery so he came and spent relief society with

us! Man, her kids are so cute! But Ulita loved church and she said

she's going to bring all of her kids next week! What a great Sunday!

I love being a missionary and I love this work! My joy is so full! I

don't have the words to express how I feel but just know that I have

never been happier! I love you all!

Love always, Sister Thompson 🌻