September 8

Dear Family and Friends,

I got transferred to Vernon! Sister Kunz got transferred to Abbotsford and they closed Duncan Sisters for a transfer. WHAT. We were pretty in shock. I cried. But that's okay. My pride is gone and they are going to put Sisters back in next transfer (hopefully). We had three baptismal dates with at least three on the way, so President Burt is definitely putting the Elder that came in and his new greenie to work. President Burt whitewashed at least half the mission. It's crazy! But it will be really good. :) I don't even know how many of you read this (pretty sure just my mom and my sisters :)), so I'm going to just send you what I sent President (kind of):

It was a great week filled with lots of work and miracles and stress. Our investigator Shawnee is getting baptized on September 27th! We had a FHE with her, Judith (who is also getting baptized on the 27th), our RM Sister Saunders, and her dad. The lesson was on faith and we talked about how both of their families are against this, but about having faith in Jesus Christ and in following the Holy Ghost. It was really good. That night on the way home, I invited Shawnee to think about being baptized on the 27th, and she said she would. The next day she told us that night as she was reading from the Book of Mormon she felt really good. She had a dream that she was in water (being baptized) and felt so happy. We taught her about the Plan of Salvation with an emphasis on the Doctrine of Christ and baptism opening the gate. It was in a member's home and was really good. (She had a vision!!)

Judith also had a lesson in a member's home (the RS president) and it went really well as well. She was completely on board with living the Word of Wisdom and told us she was already trying to quit coffee (which is going well) and gave up drinking a while ago.

We called Rachel and she was sad, but I think she will still progress with the Elders. Bonnie still wants to be baptized, etc... I loved what Elder Rolfson said at transfer meeting about how He knows transfers are from God because only Heavenly Father would do what He does. I really completely believe that. I have been praying for the Duncan elders because I know they have so much work to do and need all the support they can get.

As far as Vernon goes, I have great faith in this area. I really love Sister Brook. (She's Canadian! From Ottowa.) She has been out for two transfers, so this is her third. I can see that she has so much goodness and I know she will be a great missionary.

We are giving Clive, their only progressing investigator, to the Elders. At first Sister Brook was really worried about it, but I explained more and promised that Clive would progress best this way, and I think it will be good. It's all about unity. :) I told her he would still be her baptism, and she felt really good about it. I am learning doing everything with a lot of love is the key.

I know this area has not being seeing a lot of success lately for the Sisters, but I really have faith that Heavenly Father is going to pour out blessing here as we have faith that He will and obey Him and are unified with His other servants. I am learning a lot about serving selflessly and what that means. It means that I am going to give everything I can to this area and not hold on to pride or doubt about leaving Duncan and I'm going to give everything to the ward as well. I believe we can reach standards of excellence this week, and I know Heavenly Father is on our side.

I have never prayed for an area so hard. I love this work and am a little afraid of how to help the members still love us when they LOVE Elder Kennedy (He is 6'10"). But I know Heavenly Father will help us. (PS. One of the Assistants is in my ward now. They had me share my testimony yesterday right after his and and another Zone Leaders' testimony. It was kind of terrifying, but I made it.)

I love this work! I know that Heavenly Father qualifies those He calls. I know He keeps sending me different places so that I don't get too comfortable and choose not to rely on Him. I know that Our Heavenly Father's ultimate purpose is to have each of us come back to Him some day, as we choose to do so. I love you all and will write to you faithfully next week. :)

Sister Thomson

PS. I found out we are the only mission in the whole world that has Sister District Leaders and Sister-only districts. Who knew? I thought that was normal. No sisters have Elders in their districts here.

PPS. Here is my new address:
2816 Allenby Way
Vernon, BC V1T 8P9
CANADA