January 12th

Dear Family,

What a glorious week. We saw so many miracles. On Saturday we went out to a place called Tache Reserve. It's about an hour and a half away from Vanderhoof, so I don't think missionaries have ever been there. We were there about a week and a half ago and we gave a couple of people Books of Mormon. One of them is named David. His sister-in-law is Neca's aunt. David was on 2 Nephi 32 when we followed up with him! He told his priest that he had received a Book of Mormon from us and his priest told him not to meet with us--that there is only one church, one God, and one Bible. David told him, well they read the Bible, they believe in God, and they gave me this book and I really like it! I will meet with them. :) David is so prepared. He quit drinking a long time ago and the Spirit is so incredibly strong when we teach him. He is so humble too. When we taught the Restoration on Saturday, he was amazed at James 1:5. He stared at it for a minute and said, "No one has ever taught me this before! I've always been taught that I have to pray to Mary or do my rosaries. No one has told me that I can pray to God." What a miracle. When I go see him, I can feel how happy God is that David is finally hearing the gospel. I know that God loves David so much: more than I can understand.

We chopped wood with Neca and Jimmy and our ward mission leader and his wife (the Arnolds) for Jimmy and Neca's relatives. It was so good. We shared a short lesson with them afterwards and I think their hearts will soften. I know they felt something. We also met Jimmy's mom and aunt. It is so amazing to see the Arnolds showing them how to share the gospel with their friends and neighbors. They are already doing missionary work, and Jimmy even invited his mom to learn from us. Their interview for baptism was on Saturday night, done by President Kochel (one of President Burt's counselors). They are so prepared and they have changed so much. When I thought about it on Saturday morning, I cried. They are literally different people because they have chosen to accept and apply the gospel. They are redeemed. And I am so happy for them.

I started to think about the economy for a few moments this week. I know I need to repent. :) But it worried me a lot, until I realized that if I knew what I would go through on my mission, I would have been terrified. But it really hasn't been that bad. The adversities that I have gone through have been made light, and I have been okay. And I know that is why God teaches us to look to the future with faith. Because He is going to help us through every difficult thing we go through and with His help, we can overcome anything because Jesus Christ overcame the world. I know He is real. He has a physical body and He is really there. We can communicate with Him and He will communicate back. He cares about our welfare and He loves us more than we can know or comprehend. Because He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for us, we can return to His presence and have joy with Him forever. I know this is true. I know that as I have read and studied the scriptures every day, I have never been led astray. I know when I hear truth and I know when I hear false information or false truths because I know what the real thing feels like and looks like. I know that as each of us study the scriptures we will never be deceived and we will never have to be under the influence of the one who wants us to be miserable. I love you all and know that we have the power to do so much good each and every day. I pray for you and pray that my blessings will be consecrated to you.

Love,
Sister Thomson

PS. I forgot to mention a big detail. :) My new companion is Sister Han! She is the cutest Sister I have ever met. She's from Taiwan and has been learning English on her mission. I already love her so much. Even the people that want to bash us are so much nicer because of her. :) I'm excited to be her companion and know we will be seeing miracles together.
PPS. Sister Manaso went to Chilliwack 2nd ward (which I covered for 1 transfer. :))