Week 13

Dear Family,

I have almost no motivation to email you because I'm talking to you all in TWO DAYS!!! But I'll tell you how the work is going anyways. 

I'm still in Chilliwack! Sister Allen is stuck with me until at least February 2nd. 

I didn't mention this last week, but Sister Allen and I had almost no money and no food. When I paid my fast offering to the ward, I almost cried. But I tried to have faith, and I was happy I paid it. This week I have never seen so many open temporal blessings being poured out upon us. I wasn't really expecting any obvious blessings, I just figured somehow we wouldn't starve. Instead, on Tuesday, a couple in our ward had tried to have someone over for dinner for two nights in a row, but both times, their friends and family fell through. Apparently their daughter who's on a mission in Eastern Canada emailed them that week telling them she had $4 left for the next three weeks. The look on Brother Coleman's face reassured me that I was right in not mentioning it. They decided to give us a huge bag of groceries and toilet paper. I didn't even know if we could accept the food, but I really felt the Lord taking care of us through these generous members. And on top of that, I feel like each time we have had a dinner with a member, or even seen one of them, they have just blessed us with food. I can't explain it. I know it's not tithing, it's fast offering, but I feel like we have been so blessed with food that there has not even been room enough to receive it. I just can't believe how blessed we've been this week. It's amazing.

I can't believe I almost forgot to mention Sister Schmidt. I really can't. She is a former stripper/prostitute/married to a hell's angel/ went to prison/ got a blessing from President Kimball when she was wayyyy less active that she would bring thousands to the gospel. Yes, the last one is correct. Half of the recent converts and formers are from her personal finding efforts. She has the most amazing testimony that will make you cry and cry and miracles just happen with this woman.  When she talks, she tells us soo much (too much) about her past life, but then immediately starts bearing powerful testimony that you literally are on a spiritual roller coaster.  She is going through four surgeries to serve a mission. And each procedure brings someone new to the gospel. I don't know how to explain her or if I can. I just had to bring it up somehow...

Merry Christmas everyone!! This really is a special time of year. More people have let us into their home in the past week than the rest of my mission combined. Hearts are softening all because people are remembering their Savior!

Love you all!

Sister Thomson