1/26/24 Week 2 Choir and ice cream

 I've been in the MTC for a week now it's crazy how fast it has gone by! I leave for Texas next Friday. I'm really nervous but also super excited! 

 

This past Sunday we had the opportunity to have "The Go and Do" experience which was basically a short devotional that followed by 1.5 hours of personal study focusing on one of the questions they brought up. It was an awesome experience! 

 

Elder Galotera (an Elder from my district) and I decided to sing in the choir for the Tuesday night devotional. Even though I'm not a very good singer he was able to carry us both! We sang "I Feel My Saviors Love".

 

On Tuesday night we had the privilege to hear from Gernald Causse who is the presiding Bishop of the church. He focused on the importance of focusing on people's full potential when we teach them. Essentially looking at what they can become through true conversion and enduring to the end. Every Tuesday we have the opportunity to hear from a general authority of the church and rumor has it, next Tuesday it will be an Apostle!!!

 

This week we've also had the privilege to go to the temple twice. Once for baptisms and confirmations and Once for Initiatorys. I'm grateful for how close the temple is to the Mtc allowing us to visit as much as we do! 

 

On Wednesday during dinner, Elder Zeman (an elder from my district) and I had an ice cream eating contest! We had byu creamery ice cream so every bite was enjoyable. Elder Zeman was able to eat 5 bowls while I ate 6 bowls!!  Raspberry cheesecake is one of the best flavors.

 

As a district we've started playing ping pong a lot... It's been fun and I'm not doing too bad, however Sister Stuart and Sister Malohi from our district seem to be unbeatable.

 

Elder Helgesen and I have also been able to take 2 separate adventures to insta care... He was the one who was injured and basically he worked out too hard. And we just found out today we have to again on Monday :/

 

"And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day"- Alma 36:3

 

Pictures:

 

1. Elder Galotera and I in choir practice

2. Elder Davis and I playing Ping Pong

3. My District 🤘⬇️

4. Elder Helgesen and I

5. At Insta Care 

6. The Elders of our district

1/19/2024 Week One

 So this is my first of many weekly emails ...hopefully. I'll send one out as much as I can! My grammar and spelling aren't going to be very good so like just ignore it... 

 

Anyway, today is my third day in the MTC (Missionary Training Center), I've been loving it so far! The food is great. My teachers are fun and relatable. AND my district and companion are awesome! I enjoyed the introductory devotionals. On Wednesday we watched a pre-recorded talk by Elder Bednar (One of the 12 Apostles). It was actually super funny, he compared the natural man to the cookie monster in that natural men want things done right now. Instead, we should take time to ponder and pray and study what may help us. Elder Bednar has one of the best cookie monster impression I've heard.

 

My companion is really cool, his name is Elder Helgessen, he's from Alaska and he serving in the Roseville California mission, which is about 40 minutes from where I'm from!! Yesterday we also had our first district council and Elder Helgessen was assigned to be district leader which is awesome! It also means that him and I have more meetings to go to... I'm excited anyway! 

 

As a district we decided that we want to play volleyball every day for our daily exercise. We've played the last 2 days and I've really enjoyed it. I think I was the best one from our district... just kidding, there's a reason I didn't play in high school! 

 

We were also able to go to the temple today as a district! The Provo temple is really pretty and I'm sad that it's going to be

completely torn next month. 

 

 

I would just like share one of my scriptures and testify of the greatness of Jesus Christ and that we can turn toward him regardless of what is going on and that he loves and cares for us no matter what! 

 

 

He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death"

Mosiah 16:9

 

Thank y'all 

-Elder Thompson 

1/7/2024 Elder Thompson

 Sunday morning, Bryce was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Cocker, Stake President, along with his Dad, Ethan, set him apart. Hi mom, Becki, sisters, Erin, Rachel, Renee, and Hannah, were in attendance. Later we attended church and Bryce shared his testimony again. 

Mom and Dad drove Bryce to the Sacramento airport to say goodbye. The airport was not busy, except for the baggage check-in for his airline. As we waited in line for over an hour and a half, we were very worried about making his flight. A lady in charge of checking people's bags told people to go straight to the gate and bags could be checked there. We rushed to the security point to make sure Bryce would be able to board. At the security point, Bryce had to throw out his shampoo, shaving cream, shoe polish, and other items. Fortunately, he made it.  It was not the send-off we were expecting. 

1/3/2024 Sacramento, California Temple

 Bryce Thompson with his Dad, Mom, and brother Josh, attended the 7:30 endowment session at the Sacramento, CA Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here Bryce went through the Temple for the first time. Sister El Stone and Brother Jeff Stone were also in attendance.