July 21

Dear Family,

This week was kind of intense, but I'm still here, again. :)

We had an experience this week that really reminded me how much I love the gospel and why I want to talk to everyone I can about this. We talked to someone we can't share the gospel with! Our landlady. We've asked (and been denied) to share the gospel with her. But we're going to ask President Burt at transfer meeting if we can.

So Sister Kunz and I decided to have a picnic in our backyard on Thursday. We live in a basement suite, and our landlady (who is probably 40 or so) was sitting out back with her nephew. We started talking, and eventually she told us about how the anniversary of her husband's son's death is coming up. (He was 27 and died from overdosing on drugs in a motel room.) The worst part was that he was starting to change before he had died. She told us he had found God and was making huge changes. She said that is what has caused her to believe in God. Because he really couldn't change himself without outside Aid. She told us that it was especially hard for her because the last conversation she had had with him was locking her step-son out of the house after a terrible argument where it was just not safe to have him in the house anymore. And when she was talking to us my heart really broke. I wanted so badly to tell her about the Spirit World and the whole Plan of Salvation and I really wanted to testify about how the Atonement can heal that relationship, even now. And I couldn't. And Sister Kunz couldn't. We did teach her a little bit because we wanted to help her so badly, but we can't sit down with them and have a lesson. And it breaks my heart. But I know God has a plan for them and He is going to help them in His timing. And I know this world so desperately needs the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I just want to share it with everyone now.

We brought our bishop to a lesson with us yesterday. It was incredible. It was with Irma and her friend Chelsea. We walked up to them as they were having their first smoke of the night. But Irma looked so guilty that I know she really wants to quit. So we have complete hope for her.

That was all. We saw a lot of miracles this week and answers to prayers. I've been sick. I really am not okay with it. Which is probably why I still am. But I'll figure it out I guess. Transfers are this week too.

Love you all,

Sister Thomson
*We asked our Sister Training Leaders if we could teach her. Not our landlady. And they said no. Sorry if that was confusing.
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