Transfers... RIP Elder Raveneau

Hello from Witney!

Hey everyone! It's been yet another crazy week in the mission field, full of miracles and great experiences. As a representative of Jesus Christ, I get a front-seat witness to many amazing things. I stand with thousands of others when I say I love serving this mission! There's nowhere I'd rather be.

It hit me that as of the 19th I'll have been out for 6 months. Only 18 months left--I'm a sister missionary now! It's gone by so fast I can't believe it. That scares me, because Elder Raveneau says it only goes by faster from here. Speaking of Elder Raveneau, he's "dying" today. His mission is over! He takes a train this morning from Oxford to Crawley where he will go through the temple and have dinner with President Gubler. He flies home tomorrow! I'm really going to miss him and he knows it. We've been together for so long that he's like a brother to me now, but I'm excited for him to begin the next chapter of his life. He's served a very honorable mission and I will definitely see him again sometime, but it's time to say "au revoir!"

As you can see, I get to stay in Witney a bit longer, thankfully! I love it here. Even though this is the only area I've served in, I'm convinced it's one of the best area's in the mission and I'm so glad to be staying! We received the news about transfers on Saturday and I was pretty nervous, but that's the way it goes! My new companion is (drumrolllllllll)...Elder Reynolds! At first I thought he was definitely from the states, but come to find out he's from Manchester! I haven't met him yet, but I got to talk to him on the phone for a bit yesterday. He seems really cool! It will be nice to work with him and I'm excited to keep working hard.

We were out and about all the time last week because literally everyone wanted to say bye to Elder Raveneau. We had loads of dinner appointments and got our fair share of pounds (not currency). Yesterday we did service at the Suttons and then had dinner there with the Rathbones and a few other members. It was a total party, but it was also Elder Raveneau's funeral. Sister Sutton made a cake with Elder Raveneau's headstone on it, it was hilarious!

On Tuesday we had Specialized Zone Training with President Gubler and the stake president. I learned so much and felt the Spirit strongly as sincere testimonies were born. President Gubler taught us a lot about Lehi's dream of the tree of life, and it really opened my eyes to what the tree really represents. We know that the iron rod is the word of God, and the fruit is the love of God. We interpreted a picture that I've attached. If any picture is worth a thousand words, this one is! If you examine the tree closely, you will find a figure inside the tree. It's Christ! He is the word, the rod, and the light. He is the sure foundation, unlike the large and spacious buildings which have no foundation at all. You will notice that some of those who are holding to the rod and even those who have tasted the fruit (members) have their heads turned to the mocking crowds of the spacious building. On the other hand, others are relentless in protecting their faith and have both eyes on the tree, pressing forward steadfastly. This is the idea. We need keep moving, holding to the rod and focusing on Christ. At times the journey on the rod may seem like an incline, maybe even a mountain, but we must remain faithful to have a perfect brightness of hope! This picture contains the entire structure of the world. In the background are millions who are wandering aimlessly without the fruit because "they know not where to find it." In reality, any person who is not a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is lost. They may not realize it, but they are! This truth is what motivates me to serve, to find His lost sheep and lead them back to the rod, like the "men in white" did to Lehi when he was in darkness. My question to you is who are those men in white?

I was on a bus the other week when I received a strong feeling that I should talk to every single person on the entire bus. I really shrank at that feeling because even though the bus wasn't completely full, I was scared and didn't want to risk getting kicked off! The feeling kept coming back even after I ignored it. The rest of the day I was eaten alive by the fact that I postponed that prompting and that I had feared man more than God...I promised God and myself that I would do it the next day. Well, the time finally came and the feeling was there again, so I did it. Now this isn't a huge, impressive accomplishment, but it was definitely out of my comfort zone to cycle through the seats next to the people on the bus, sharing the message of the Restoration. Nobody was interested, but I showed God that I am willing to react to the promptings of the Spirit. I think this shows how God really stretches us to grow when we show him we are willing and ready to change. He is never complacent with complacency because complacency means no progression. It is the second greatest stumbling block, only second to pride. I know that through Christ not only our behavior can be changed, but our whole nature. I declare to you that God has a perfect plan for all His children. To accomplish this he has given us the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, through which we can be completely cleansed from sin. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

It's been a great week! Sunday was great: Candace came to church again, and Simon received the Aaronic Priesthood! He gets to pass the sacrament now. Woo!

Have a great week everybody! Je t'aime au revoir!

Love, Elder Thomas

#vivelafrance!

The tree of life

Saying goodbye to Elder Raveneau

Selfie from Sister Nyman.  Spaghetti with my new companion.

The Rathbone boys... future missionaries!

Funny face!

At the temple last week with the Rathbones

Bus rides with the Elders

Stake Conference and the Temple

Greetings from Witney!

Hey everybody! It's been another crazy miraculous week out here. I've realized that I've almost been out for 6 months and I don't really know where the time has gone. Looking back on my experience so far, this mission has been more than I ever dreamed and imagined it to be. Outside of myself, I can't think of one thing that I want to change right now. I'm really trying to do things God's way because this is His work...and my way just never seems to work out!

The Rathbone family are members of the only true church on the earth today...and they know it. They are SO SOLID! I'm amazed at their progress and their firm testimony. They're already doing the most missionary work in the ward! Remember how they were found with "the Street Praying Initiative"? Well, we as a ward mission team felt like we should invite the Rathbones to do just that: pray for a street with a baptism. They accepted the challenge and began immediately! They have the faith, so it was only a matter of time until they got their answer. It didn't take long until we received news that Simon had a revelation while doing the dishes one night. He gave us 2 streets to knock and we are anxious to get out there and find, teach, and baptize these people. Unfortunately, we haven't been to the roads yet because we haven't been in our area at all this week :/ The Rathbones will also help teach and friendship the new investigators.

More news on the Rathbones! Now that they've been baptized, they really want to learn more about the temple. Even though they had only been members for 6 days, they picked us up on Saturday and we went! It was a 3 hour journey round trip but it was sooo worth it. We encountered some heavy traffic, however, when we got near London. Simon wanted to pray for the traffic to move, but things started moving before he could! Miracle! It was also scheduled to rain all day, but it stopped during the time we were on the temple grounds...yesssss! Anyways, some nice Sisters greeted us and took us into the cinema where we got to watch Meet the Mormons. I forgot how good that show is! I love Ken (Hawaiian last name)'s story, he's the coach of the Navy Football team. Imm loved the story in Nepal because she's explored all around those parts. I could see her as a kick boxer like the other lady in the show. And of course, David Archuleta's song at the end was "glorious." The Rathbones are excited to actually go inside the temple to do baptisms next month!

Lots of traveling this week. I exchanged with Elder Feistl in Didcot for a day and we got stuff done! He's a very hard worker and naturally efficient (German). He was baptized a couple of years ago and now he's out serving the Lord. What a stud. Exchanges are done differently now, though. Now both of us go to the District Leader's area so his area can be more of a model for the rest of the district. But I don't mind! You all know I'm a fan of 4 man flats...good times!

After our temple excursion we spent the night in Reading so we could be on time for Stake Conference the next morning. I didn't know what to expect because every stake conference has been in the turtle building in Bountiful, and it's always been full! This one was in a chapel, and it was actually pretty full. It felt like home! I was just talking to some other missionaries when, all of the sudden, THEE President Gubler himself walked in--he was giving a talk! I swear that man just glows with spiritual awesomeness. His talk was a spiritual bomb and just blew everybody away.

But wait, there's more! After the meeting, I learned that we were going to another meeting for new members with President Gubler and his wife, the stake president, and the Rathbones. It was pretty much a big testimony meeting and it was a dream come true! I got to hear the Rathbones share their testimony...what a treat. I'm here to tell you that there is nothing more moving and more powerful than a recent convert's testimony. They didn't know it was a testimony, but that's exactly what it was. President Gubler was surprised to hear that the Rathbones had already been to the temple. I said "I thought you meant six days, not sixty!" That scared him a bit, but I told him that they didn't actually go in. Still funny though.

If there's one thing I learned this week, it's to always bear testimony of Jesus Christ. Testimony, testimony, testimony. Whether it's from a prophet, a mission president, or a new member, pure and sincere testimony still has the same effect: brings the Spirit and touches the hearts of everybody present. I encourage you to bear your testimony daily! You are promised to have a stronger testimony and a remission of sins if you do this. I stand with my grandma when I say that my testimony is my most prized possession. I love strengthening my testimony because if it's not being strengthened, it's getting weaker. If you feel that you don't have a testimony, or that your testimony isn't where you want it to be, don't lose hope. There is always hope! Exercise your faith by partaking of the Sacrament. Study the Book of Mormon and pray...Every. Single. Day. Conversion begins when we move doctrine from the "not sure" file into the "I know" file. Pray for the reassurance of doctrine every day. Either begin now or keep working!

I testify to you that I KNOW that there is a God in heaven, and he is Heavenly Father. His love is real and perfect because He sent His Son to die for you and for me. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He has overcome everything, so let us rejoice! I know that I am His servant, His missionary, His disciple. I declare to you that you are never alone because your Savior is there for you always. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

It's been an AWESOME week. I hope this next week brings more miracles and more happiness. Sadly, this will be Elder Raveneau's last full week in the mission field. He goes home next Wednesday! I don't know what I'll do without him, I can't think of anybody else as my companion. He's worked hard, and what a finish! If my next companion is fresh off the plane, then I get to go to the temple one last time with Elder Raveneau next week, but that's not likely. It's been a great 4 transfers with this Elder, I'll never forget it!

Have a goooooood week!

Love, Elder Thomas

#whatwouldtheMormonsdo?

The London Temple Visitors Center

The London Temple

McDonald's in Cobham

At Ron's (our investigator) house.  Parrot, dog, Elder.

Sister Sutton's "Kit Kat Kake" for the baptism

Forgot to send this gem last week

Miracles

Hey everybody! 

Hope it's been a good week for you. You know, there are lots of ups and downs on a mission, but I've found that the downs are worth it. Even if it's 99% downs, all I'll remember is the joy and miracles that occur out here. I feel like this last week may have been the greatest week of my entire mission! It will take a miracle to top it...here's the stuff!

We had an awesome zone training on Tuesday! More trains, more missionaries, and more learning. We've got a few new elders in the zone and it's fun to get to know them individually...a lot of them are recent converts of a year or so with amazing conversion stories. We learned that by being just 15 minutes off-schedule for something wastes time. In fact, if 15 minutes is wasted every day, it adds up to over 40 days of a mission wasted. I'm really conscious of my time now! I guess I have to in order to be exactly obedient. Our zone is the best, though. The leaders are fantastic.

We actually got to go on some exchanges with the zone leaders this week! After weekly planning on Friday, they came out to Witney. Elder Raveneau stayed in Witney with Elder Rivera and I went to Reading with Elder Mayes. It was nice to have a car for a day, even though I didn't get to drive. It was different to be with an American as well, since I've been living with Elder R. for the last 6 months. So we talked about American stuff, like Mcdonald's, and how expensive it is here. We tried to find a Subway to grab some dinner, but couldn't find it...Mcdonald's it was! Then we had correlation, which was really interesting. Let's just say not every member is as nice as Brother Sutton! It was a really fun exchange even though Elder Mayes shot me with a pin-tipped nerf bullet!

I woke up in the morning and it hit me that it was the 30th--the Rathbone's baptism! Elder Mayes and I rushed to Oxford where the font was being filled and Elder Raveneau was making his crepes for the lunch after the baptism. Then people started to show up, including the Rathbones. We got all dressed up and they looked beautiful--celestial, actually--in white. The program began and I got to lead the music! We were then dismissed to proceed with the baptisms. Simon was baptized first, followed by Kiefer (age 8), Quinn (age 10), and Imm. I was able to baptize Simon and Kiefer. It truly was the experience of a lifetime. I followed Simon into the clear, warm water. A teary Brother Sutton opened the curtain to reveal dozens of smiling faces. I was impressed with all the members who made an appearance! I baptized Simon and Kiefer, and then Elder Raveneau baptized Quinn and Imm. They were all so happy! Imm loved going last so she could watch her entire family enter the purifying waters of baptism and coming out completely and entirely clean. They are the world's cleanest family! I'm touched that Heavenly Father has trusted me enough to find this family, teach them, and baptize them all with the same companion. Looking back, He has answered all of my prayers. Long ago I prayed for a baptism with my trainer, and it has happened. I prayed that the Rathbone family would receive an answer to their prayers, and that has happened. God has been so merciful to me, even when I don't really deserve it. He's really watched out for me.

The Rathbones were confirmed in Sacrament Meeting the next day. They wanted the missionary who didn't baptize them to confirm them, so I got to confirm Quinn and Imm. Again, I cannot be more grateful for that. There is now a fire, a Spirit of missionary work, in the bones of every member in the Oxford 2nd ward. Remember that the Rathbones were found with the "praying for a street program." The Suttons prayed for a street, found Teasel Way, told us to go there, and the Rathbones were found. So far, the program is 100% successful. Many other members are now participating in this program, so there are more baptisms coming. I encourage all of you to integrate this program into your own ward. It builds ward unity, gives all a missionary mindset, and brings others to the remembrance of who they really are: sons and daughters of a Heavenly King. I know the Lord is in this work because He's told me and because I see His hand every single day. I love Him, and I love the Rathbone family. Brother Rathbone passed a Priesthood interview with bishop and will receive the Aaronic Priesthood in 2 weeks. They will go to the temple soon! I KNOW that God is there and that He loves all of us! I know that miracles happen.

It's been an inspiring week! These experiences really are precious to me and I will cherish them forever. As you can see, the floodgates are opening and it truly is the Season of Miracles.

Today is P day and it's been pretty fun! I'm letting Elder Raveneau do whatever he wants because he only has 2 P days left...whoa! Today Brother Sutton picked us up and took us to a forest in the middle of nowhere. We built a bonfire, roasted sausages, had hot chocolate, and went tree tippin'! Tree tipping is really fun! See video attached.

Shoutout to Elder Burnett with his success in Croatia! He's an animal!

Anyways, I love my mission! I pray that you will be happy, righteous, and courageous in all that you do. May we reach out to those in need. If we truly love somebody, we will share what matters most with them:  the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Have a great week! :D

#whatwouldthemormonsdo #seasonofmiracles #potato #brotherandsisterrathbone

The Rathbone family

The baptism

Sister Rathbone and Kiefer

The Reading zone

Our sisters work hard!

Shopping cart races

Bonfire for Pday

Brother Sutton making a bonfire

Tree tippin'

The Countdown is on...

Hey guys!

I want to thank you so much for all of your lovely emails. I'm always extra excited on Mondays because I love hearing from you! I've also received some packages from dear friends, and they've made me so happy and grateful. I really am so blessed to have so much love and support back home. Here's the latest on the adventures of Elder Raveneau and Elder Thomas in Witney...

I sure hope the good news about the Rathbone family rocked your world, it sure rocked mine. That family is golden! It's been the most soul-filling experience to watch them progress and get to the point that they are at now. I vividly remember September 30th, the day we knocked their door. Imm answered and told us we could come back! It was then that she realized that the door had locked behind her and she was stuck outside with us, which allowed us to teach her a bit more until her kids let her back in. We talk about that day a lot. Their baptism this Saturday will mark exactly 4 months since we met them.

On Tuesday we taught Monica and Georgia, a mother and a daughter. They understood everything well and felt the Spirit! As we were wrapping things up, Elder Raveneau felt like we should invite them to be baptized. He conveyed his idea to me by doing a baptism motion with his arms while the investigators weren't looking. I understood and invited them to be baptized on February 20, and they accepted! We are excited to work with them, but Elder Raveneau isn't as thrilled because Feb 20 is three days after he goes home! You know you're going home soon when the baptismal dates start overlapping your departure date.

Wednesday was awesome--we got to watch the Worldwide Missionary Broadcast live! It was so inspiring to listen to God-given knowledge and insight on how to more effectively conduct work in our area. I truly felt like the speakers were talking directly to me! Some key things that I took away are:

Neil L. Anderson told us that the most important thing we can do is to testify of Jesus Christ by always "keeping His name on our lips." If you are ever unsure of what to do, bear your own witness of the Savior.

David A. Bednar exhorted us to not tell investigators that they're feeling the Holy Ghost. Instead, let them realize and identify it themselves by asking what they think the good feeling is that is changing their lives.

Bonnie L. Oscarson explained how to "treasure up" the word of God by putting things into the "treasure chest" through diligent scripture study. The Holy Ghost will give you things out of that treasure chest when you need it.

L. Whitney Clayton told us to work with less active members, reactivate them, and baptize their non-member family and friends...easier said than done!

I was able to utilize one of these methods straightaway! We had dinner at the Rathbones' house one night and Imm was talking about how much she has changed for the better as we have taught her. "Well, what do you think is helping you to change?" I asked. She pondered about that for a moment before confidently identifying it as the Holy Ghost. "I can't believe you made me say that!" she said happily. She made a hashtag to help her make the right choices: #whatwouldtheMormonsdo?  The Gospel changes people. It takes them as aimless wanderers and transforms them into faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. It reminds them of who they really are and what their purpose is. This extraordinary process has occurred in my life, especially during the last 5 months as I've strived to devote my entire being to Christ, "which strengtheneth me."

On Sunday we got to see President Gubler again! He came to see the Rathbone family--who came to church for the third consecutive week--and interview them for baptism. He decided to meet them at their house, so we raced out to Carterton after church so we could be there! When we got there the interview had already begun, and it was kind of weird to have Sister Gubler let us into our investigators house...I don't know it was just strange! Anyways, they passed their interview with flying colors. They also received a confirmation that the Church was true...during the interview! They were happy. I walked in to see a spiritually-exhausted President Gubler, who welcomed my hug. I love his hugs. He gave us an assignment to help the Rathbones find family names, get a temple recommend, and take them to do baptisms for the dead within 60 days! Pretty quick, but we can do it.

As the events of this week have unfolded, I've really seen the fruits and blessings of my service. This has come from faithful service, especially with members. Miracles are being worked, hearts are being changed, and souls are being saved. I don't credit this to myself, but to Christ! I encourage you to keep things simple, pray always, and choose to believe. Read the Book of Mormon, it is true and will bring a light into your life. Make the right choices, and watch for miracles! It is the Season of Miracles.

Have a great week everybody! I will talk to you soon!

Love,

Elder Thomas

#whatwouldtheMormonsdo? #tistheseason

Next time we will be in white!
(Elder Raveneau, Imm, Kiefer, Simon, Quinn, and moi)

President and Sister Gubler and Imm and Simon Rathbone

Awesome News and Happy Clappy Church

Alrighty!

Hi guys! First off, out of all my emails, this is definitely the one you need to read. It's been such an awesome week! It was a long week because so much happened, but it might have been the best week of the mission. Good things happened, and good things are coming. As you read, keep in mind that it is the Season of Miracles in the London South Mission.

I guess I'll get started then. Last week got off to a slow start with not much going on. Loads of street contacting and tracting. However, things got rolling on Wednesday, so that's where I'll begin...

We didn't have anywhere we needed to go on Wednesday, so we decided to make it a total finding day. We figured out where all the former investigators lived and started knocking on their doors. On the way to each door we'd talk to everybody in sight, even if we had to chase them down! We talked to a lot of people, but only a few were the slightest bit interested. For some reason, the majority of the people we talked to were attractive young women who were roughly our age. Now I'm not complaining, but it can be difficult to stick to a gospel-centered conversation when they are more interested in talking about other things. Talking to older people and children is no problem, but young women can be a struggle. On one occasion, Elder Raveneau boldly approached a young Jehovah's Witness. Although he started out smooth, I could tell he was beginning to be seduced. We got out of there, but he still managed to secure a return appointment with her! He is French, after all.

Anyways, after 5 hours of straight contacting, we were about to call it a day. We were tired, cold, and hungry. As we walked down the road, the phone started going crazy in my pocket. I looked at it to see that we had received three new texts and a missed call--something was either terribly good or terribly wrong! The texts were from Imm Rathbone. The first few words were "We have news," so I assumed that she was either committing to get baptized or she was pregnant. I opened the text. Not to our surprise, but to our utter joy and amazement, the Rathbones have committed to get baptized. My fatigue instantly turned into excitement! I read the other texts to learn that they want to get baptized on the 30th of this month...only 12 days from today. I can't express the joy that I felt in words, but I know that they are ready because the Lord has prepared them. He has led us to them. If this isn't convincing evidence of the goodness of God and the Season of Miracles, then I don't know what is! President Gubler was told by Heavenly Father that the Season is here. I know for myself that this is true, and I'm beyond excited to watch this family follow the example of Jesus Christ.

That's not all, though! On Sunday, President and Sister Gubler came to speak in our ward. The Rathbones came to church for the second week in a row, so we wanted them to meet the Gublers. As the Rathbones took their seats for sacrament meeting, I watched as President Gubler entered the room. Immediately, he looked across the room to the Rathbones, whom he had never seen before. I swear he can smell investigators. He made his way over to them and introduced himself. Then he got serious, looked them in the eyes, and testified that they were doing the right thing. The Rathbones agreed as Elder Raveneau and I admired the scene. President Gubler then delivered a powerful talk on standing firm to the faith in dark times. I asked the Rathbones if they felt good and they all nodded. I told them it was the Spirit! It rocked! After church we had interviews with President. He told me how much he loves the Rathbones, and he also told me that I'll be staying in Witney next transfer. Cool. I walked out just in time to say bye to the Rathbones, who had obtained their baptismal clothing already.

It turned out to be a fantastic week! One of our investigators invited us to come to his church on Sunday, so we ended up doing that as well. I didn't know what to expect, and what I found surprised me. The congregation was 99 % African. We were the only white people there! They were preaching loudly while one guy played the electric piano and another played the drums. It was interesting. It was a very friendly place, however. Every single person there greeted us. It soon turned into a gospel concert with African women singing. Every sentence was followed by an "Amen!" It was a total Happy Clappy chuch. Every culture can be found here.

That's all for this week! The experiences I've had have strengthened unfathomably (without fathom). I love my companion, President Gubler, the ward, the Gospel, and Jesus Christ. I'm not alone in this work. People are being prepared by God in this area this very second, and the Lord has trusted me to find them. He's trusted me with a family. I'm grateful to be his servant and I know he loves me and is proud of me. Missionary work makes me happy! Cheers, and have a good week everyone!

Love,

Elder Thomas

THE TEXT!

A sweet, AMERICAN 1964 Mercury.  Took it for a spin.

New way of contacting

The new crew

The district

Found this toilet while tracting

T-27 days for Elder Raveneau

Preaching in the rain

Hey, folks! Here's what's up in good old Witney, Uk:

This week consisted of LOADS of tracting and contacting, and mostly in the rain. I don't understand the weather here! It's always sunny in the morning and then rainy the rest of the day. Somehow, we always find ourselves in a downpour.

On one of these stormy nights we were knocking a road, and not having much success. We got yelled at more than usual, and many doors were slammed in our faces. We were cold, tired, and absolutely soaked, but there was still one more door to knock. Now, you may be expecting the cliche last-door success story, but not in this case. The people were not interested. As we stepped off the front porch, however, we received a text from our ward mission leader, who had just visited our investigator family (Rathbones). He let us know that they had committed to live the law of tithing after baptism, which is a huge step of faith with their fixed budget. Suddenly, the rain stopped and the sunshine burst through the clouds (figuratively). We walked cheerfully home and slept well that night.

The Rathbones have been showing immense steps of faith lately! They've been reading the Book of Mormon and praying every day, and they've also been coming to church. They stayed for the full 3 hours this time and they loved it! I finally took a selfie with them so you can see who they are. After church, we all went over to the ward mission leader's house for a "cottage evening," or FHE. The Rathbones were there, and we felt like we should extend a baptismal date for January 30. Although the spirit was there, they feel like they need more time. This was frustrating for me because they believe everything we've taught them, but are afraid to make the next step. Granted, it's a big step, but I know they're ready. All they need now is the confirmation of the Spirit. Amazing things are coming for that family!

Since we as companions spend so much time together, there are a lot of funny things that happen. Most of them are inside jokes, but we have to find ways to work hard and have fun at the same time. From dance competitions up to doorsteps to free throw competitions in the bathroom, we get pretty creative as we make missionary work fun. However, there is a line to be drawn dividing time to be serious and time to have fun. It's been hard for me to learn where to draw this line, but I never realized that a mission would be so...fun! Although the last 5 months have been the most spiritual months of my life, they've also been the funnest of my life. They've been the best of my life!

Doing the Lord's will is what makes me happy, and that includes serving a mission. I've found the happiness that comes from aligning my will with God's and I plan on doing this my whole life. If His will is for me to declare His Gospel in the middle of the road in the pouring rain, I'll do it. I don't really care what it is, if I know it's God's will, I want to do it because I know that he loves me with a perfect love. President Eyring promises us 2 things if we will choose to serve God this day. 1: whatever dark times we are going through today will be better in the next day, and 2: we are promised to feel God's love. I add my witness as a representative of Jesus Christ to President Eyring's witness that that promise is true. May we choose to serve God this day and forever do His will.

Have a great week everybody! Long live the Potato.

Love,

Elder Thomas

Selfie with the Rathbone family

Moves Week!

Hey guys!

This week has been filled with lots of fun and lots of miracles. The Rathbone family is progressing, prayers are being answered, I had one of the best hamburgers of my life, and...  It's moves week!

It's a tradition in every last district meeting of the transfer to predict where everybody will go. I predicted that everybody would stay, and I was so close! To my disappointment, the Fantastic Four is finally broken up. Three of the four will be staying here in the Oxford District. My companion is Elder Raveneau! That's right, he's staying here! Elder Phelps will be staying as well, so Elder Wagaman is going to Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. We said goodbye to him this morning and it was tough. He's been a big part of my training and I'm going to miss him, but he'll do great things in Tunbridge Wells. Our new district leader is Elder Feistl from Germany. Now we have a German, a Scot, a French and a few Americans in the district...it's like WW3 over here.

Elder Raveneau wasn't as thrilled about the news as I was because he wanted to go to a new area for his last 6 weeks. Personally, I'm glad he's staying because we have a family to baptize--this transfer is going to be awesome. He goes home in February, so we're going to keep working hard. I heard that in an attempt to save money, the Church will have him swim home to France :) The good part is that since everybody thought he would be leaving, we had a ton of dinner appointments with members over the week. I'm glad to be here in Witney, I'm convinced this is the best area in the mission.

As for your weekly update on the Rathbones, they are doing so well! We had a lesson with them on Saturday and Brother Sutton came along. We taught and testified about obedience and baptism and it went sooooooo well! They are psyched that we are both staying and here comes the thunder: they set a goal to be baptized before Elder Raveneau goes home! At the same time, they aren't doing this for us, but for God. Simon, who didn't believe in God 2 months ago, prayed to Him to close our lesson.

Last week we went to this restaurant in Oxford called Pepper's Burgers. I didn't know what to expect, but I had been told they made American burgers...I had to try it! I wasn't let down, it was one of the best burgers I've had in my life (see picture)! I'll definitely be going back soon. I thought this miracle was email-worthy.

With the beginning of the new year, I've been looking back at the things I've accomplished in 2015. It was a pretty big year: Getting a mission call, graduating high school, and going on a mission... as good as last year was, January 1st means new years resolutions! Lately, I've been pondering a lot about the goals that I should set not only for 2016, but for my whole mission. I wrote down the things I felt and set goals that I thought would stretch me. At the same time, I know that I can reach them with the Savior's help. Most of you have probably set goals already, but I encourage you to not only write them down, but STICK to them! Put them in a place you can see them and do all you can to achieve them. Every successful person sets goals...even Heavenly Father! He has long term goals (The Plan of Salvation) and short term, everyday goals (The Gospel of Jesus Christ). I know that goals are an essential part of the Gospel and God's plan.

Cheers from the UK!

Love, Elder Thomas

New suit!

The Fantastic Four

Action pic:  Elder Thomas in mid-translation

Pepper's Burgers

Bye Elder Wagaman

Elder Wagaman and the Didcot flat

Same ties!

Investi-GATOR

Ahhh!

What does the fox say?

The new district

A french cake from Sister Raveneau

The Oxford district