October 19 in ISLA

Well, I'm going to have to be short again this week because I've got lots of things to do! My new companion is Elder Ortiz, and we're here in Isla working our butts off! It's rained literally alll week here, so I'm not hot for a change. But I am now accustomed to being soaked to the bones of my toes. They say the rainy season here is from October to December so I'll get used to it. Good thing my backpack is waterproof. 

This house has hot water. I took my first hot water shower in over a year, and my first shower with water coming out of a faucet head for 6 months. It was glorious. I feel like a king. 

I would appreciate your prayers for our work here in Isla. It's a small branch with not as many people attending church as there could be. You can be sure that we're going to work super hard. There's nothing more important than saving these souls, and nothing more rewarding, but I would really appreciate your prayers. 

I don't know if all of you are accostomed to praying often, but it's easy to say a prayer. You can go to a private place where you'll be alone, or you can just say one in your heart and mind in public, so nobody notices. Just start the prayer by addressing yourself to Heavenly Father (as if you were writing a letter, like " Dear Heavenly Father"). Then express your thoughts and feelings to Him, also as if you were writing a letter. Then, when youre ready to end, say "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." This is the way we are instructed to pray in the scriptures. So I'd apprieciate it if you could all say a prayer in your heads for Elder Thompson who's in Isla, so that we can have the Spirit of God with us and help His children. 

This is the picture from B's baptism back in Aeropeurto. He was baptized this Friday. President Cordova (far right) did the honors. I was already here in Isla at that time, but I'm super happy for him. We worked for six long months so that he would accept the gospel, along with his wife and son. I'm glad we never gave up. I may not have been there to see it, but words cannot express the happiness that I feel to see him deciding to follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

On the far left is my friend Elder Smith. He replaced me in Aeroceurto. Then it's Elder Stanfield, who was my companion there. Then M, whom I got to baptize. Then C, a family friend of theirs, and a very dear friend of mine now. Then B. She's like my second mom and one of my favorite people ever. I feel so privileged to have taught her and been an instrument in the hands of the Lord to bring her to conversion. Then C. Then it's B., one of the most wonderful people ever, and last is President Cordova. 

I absolutely love this family. I love them like I love my own family, and I'm so glad that I came out here on the mission. Had I never come, I never would have met them. It is such a blessing to serve a mission, for "the Lord doth grant me considerable joy in the fruits of my labors."

Anyways, that's all for this week. 

Elder Thompson