December 15th

Dear Family,

It's been a really good week. I'm learning I really can be happy in any circumstance. Yesterday I spent most of the day throwing up, but I still feel like it was a good day, and I'll tell you why in a minute. Poor Sister Arnesen had to spend her last Sunday by herself at church for six hours because we cover two wards. Ha God is funny.

I haven't told you all about Neca and Jimmy yet, but today is their 13th day without weed and 8th day without alcohol! They are preparing to be baptized on January 3rd and I've never seen anyone sacrifice so much in such a little amount of time for the "pearl of great price." I feel like they are so incredibly prepared, even with all of the addictions they've been trying to overcome. President and Sister Burt came with us to one of their lessons (!!!!) and the Spirit was so strong. This is what Neca texted us two days after, "Since I have had God and the sisters, I know what I want: our family to be happier. I wanted to tell you because I think you girls may help us know where to look with God to overcome this. Thanks for listening [....] Jimmy said tonight that he really wants to change and go to church and to stop drinking for good. [....] Change is happening!" There was more, but she and Jimmy are coming so far. They are married--Jimmy is 37 and I think Neca is in her early 30s. They have two toddlers, and Jimmy has a daughter named Dolphina that we're also teaching. I love all of them. The ward is so supportive too. We took the bishop and his wife to one of their lessons and they had dinner at the bishop's house last night. They also got to see the baptism of two 8-year-olds.

"And again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls; Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13:45-46). I've been thinking about how Neca and Jimmy have been giving up everything from their old life (we have their coffee pot and this week they found out that iced tea is also part of the Word of Wisdom and they gave us all their beer--funny story about that in a minute.). They are selling everything they have for this pearl of great price, and recently I've been wondering, what do I still need to sell? What am I still holding on to? I think a big part of it before was my attitude. But now I realize that every day can be a good day! Even when I can't sit up without throwing up. I'm still honestly grateful for that, and I'll get to why in a minute. :)

President Burt came to Vanderhoof!!! We got to ride in the car with him and Sister Burt for a little over an hour and it was really exciting. The day before we committed Omineca to be baptized on Christmas, and she let us take all the alcohol out of her house. We had to run to Prince George right after the lesson, so we just threw the alcohol in our apartment. Sister Arnesen jokingly said, "Wouldn't it be funny if President Burt came and inspected our apartment and saw all this beer?" She joked too soon. We had no idea he was coming until a few hours before and he totally did inspect our cabin. Hahaha.

Kamalani has decided to serve a mission! And while Sister Arnesen and Sister Manaso went to say goodbye to people, Kamalani and I watched the District 2 and she asked me a bunch of questions about serving a mission. I talked to her and another YSA girl about my mission and the moment I finished, my need to throw up totally left. I still felt really gross, but way better. Kamalani and I even role played knocking on someone's door. :) I feel like that was totally one of the reasons I got so sick. And it was worth it. This morning I was thinking about Joseph of Egypt and how he still got punished for breaking the law of chastity even though he was faithful and didn't! He could have chosen to be mad at God, but like Nephi, "his grateful heart never faltered." He still had faith and trusted in God, and because of that, he was able to deliver his family and all of Egypt and shared the gospel with a lot of people!! He was an instrument in God's hands because he chose to have faith and be grateful despite his circumstances.

I love you all. I received a blessing from President Burt because I was worried about the Golds, and I feel a lot better. I know God has His own purposes for what He does, and He is always right. He really does want us to be so happy and even though He allows us to go through really hard things, His goal is for us to make it back to Him, prepared to live with Him again. Again, I love you all and I know that God loves you all too.

Cheerfully,
Sister Thomson

PS. Sister Arnesen is getting on the plane to go back to Richmond today! It's crazy!! My trainer is going home too!
Pictures to come.....
Also, Pierre (my recent convert in Chilliwack) said the opening prayer at a stake conference with Elder Bednar. This makes me so happy! :) He's still super active and a ward missionary. I think all of my recent converts (except maybe Sierra...) are still active. :) I am so happy for him.
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