Welp...that how it ends...

Well... I know that you all kind of know that the world is kind of crazy right now. Due to some crazy changes in the way that the government was starting to react to the coronavirus all 1,869 foreign missionaries in the Philippines got sent home for the time being.

Not gonna lie... when I first got the news that I was being sent home and my mission was officially over, I was absolutely heartbroken. I thought for sure that I had like 3 months left to finish off some work out there. But, as time has gone on, I have slowly become more comforted as I recognize and come to terms with the perfect plan that I know my Heavenly Father has for me. This last week was without a doubt the craziest week of my entire life but I saw miracle after miracle after miracle. God knows exactly what is happening to each and every one of us and all of these experiences can be for our good... if we let them.

For all those who care to hear more about some of the experiences this week, continue reading here:

On Monday night, me and my comp had plans to have dinner with President and Sister Oldroyd to discuss what we were going to do during the nationwide quarantine. We got to the office and found them still there. We sat down and President kind of just got right to the point and told us that all foreign missionaries were going home which for both us us meant that our mission would be over. We sat there in silence for a while and then my comp asked, "so what can we do now." Then things got absolutely crazy as we planned "the great escape." We filled an entire wall (whiteboard) with everything that we would have to do to get 88 missionaries into Manila within 48 hours. Then we started making calls to the furthest zone. They had to travel before 6:00 the next morning. Somehow sometime between 10:00 that evening and 4:00 in the morning, they got a hold of 3 dump trucks that were willing to take them as far as the city border. They loaded up plastic chairs from the church and all of their bags and started travel first thing in the morning. Me and my comp basically stayed on the phone the entire night trying to get things figured out. Then we packed. We slept for a maximum of 23 minutes and then got to work again well before the sun came up.

Tuesday, me, my comp, and 1 senior couple missionary each took our own car and drove up to meet the missionaries who had made it to the city border. It took just shy of 10 hours to get up there and back. But as we traveled we saw miracles all over the place. one is that 2 of the missionaries had fevers which meant that they would not be able to get through any borders. Police turn anyone around that have high temperatures and do not make any acceptions. But, for some reason, the police decided not to test everyone, so we made it through with hardly any problems in that regard. The other problem was that there was a line of cars that stretched probably a mile and a half and would have added a good couple hours onto our travel. We just jumped into the opposite lane and floored it. We passed the whole line in only a couple minutes and got right up to the front where a couple of police stopped traffic in both directions and pulled us right through the border. Kind of crazy because that is super uncharacteristic of the police in the area. That night, 54 missionaries slept in 3 houses near the mission office and we got started making plans for the following day.

Wednesday, we got 10 more missionaries to the office and then the 13 vans that we supposed to take us to Manila finally showed up. But, the drivers kind of went on strike because they didn't believe that we had what we needed to be able to get through some of the other government borders. So, me, my comp, and a member managed to get a meeting with the head of police in the town. He signed a paper, gave us his phone number and sent us on our way. We finally got on our way and met the last 24 missionaries in the 2 furthest zones south in our mission. They piled into 3 more vans and the caravan took off. We arrived in Manila where we joined hundreds of other missionaries in sleeping on the floor of the dorms and gym at the MTC.

Thursday, lots of missionaries showed up and we kind of maxed out the MTC (which holds somewhere around 400 people) at 1,100. It was crazy. We would just walk into other peoples rooms when we had to shower or use the bathroom. Probably the biggest miracle was that they were actually able to feed everyone.

Friday, we had a cool devotional. (I think it was friday. The days all kind of blend together in my head.) Elder Bangerter of the area presidency starting by talking about how cool it is to see how mans rules had slowly began to change to allow for Gods law to come to pass. It really should have been impossible to get all the missionaries out of the country because of some of the crazy things the government started to do as they shut down the country. But, one way or another, things totally worked out. He also told about how they had a face to face with the Quorum of the 12 and the First Presidency back in October. He said that in that meeting, Elder Bednar said something to the effect of "the time is fast approaching when the foreigners in that country (the philippines) will have to step aside so that the Filipino people can step up and fulfill their roles as faithful members and leaders." This whole mass exodus is fulfilling that prophecy that was made almost 6 months ago. Kind of crazy...

Saturday we were taken to a hotel that was next to the airport so that we could be ready as soon as we needed to be at the airport.

Sunday a little after noon, the first of five planes took off headed for SLC. We stopped in Tokyo just to refuel and from there I managed to get myself into a first class seat for the ride to SLC #blessed. So I wasn't even terribly mad about that 10 hour leg of the trip.

Because of the time difference, we landed at almost exactly the same time (around 2:30) that we took off. So, I had a really, really long Sabbath day. I got home and after walking around the house for a bit, I honestly felt like I had kind of just woken up from some crazy dream. I am still not really sure how I feel. But, I feel a lot of peace as I begin to think about what the next step is for me in life.

If you made it this far, congratulations. I'll just close with a quick testimony because that is one of the greatest treasures that came from my 20 months on the other side of the world:

I know without a doubt that this church is true. I know that God has a plan for each and every one of us. Central to that plan is the Atonement of our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is perfect and he paid the price for each and every on

e of us in such a personal way. He has felt what we feel and so he knows exactly how to help us. I know that we are led by a living prophet who leads us toady. That brings a lot of comfort in a world that is as crazy as it is. I know that Joseph Smith prayed in a small grove of trees almost exactly 200 years ago. Because of the faith that he had and the question that he asked, Christ returned His church to the earth in its fullness. And the evidence of that we can hold in our hands. It is the Book of Mormon and it was written for us in our day. It is written to bring peace to us in such a fallen world. I loved the time that I had to study from it every day and I know that it is something that I will do for the rest of my life because of the power that it can bring to our lives and we fight against the devil and endure until the end. I know that the end will be when Christ comes again to the earth to rule as our King. The thought of that day doesn't scare me in the least because we know exactly what we have to do in order to be prepared. I also know that the plan that God gave to us is central to our family unit. I could not have been more blessed with the family that God gave to me. I know that the things I do in this life will prepare me to live with them in the eternities in the kingdom that God has prepared for us.  

I am grateful for all the people that supported me on my mission. It was by far the hardest thing that I have done in my life and coming home from it might have been even harder. I wouldn't be able to do it if it weren't for the people that are around me. I love you all and can't really even put into words how grateful I am for each and every one of you. Thank you!!!

-Bryson Thomas

Hello Po!!

"Hello po! Eto po si Elder Thomas. Kumusta naman po kayo?"

Well... this is about the most said phrase of the week. This is how we answer the phone. Even when we were out working, either me or my comp spent a ton of time on the phone. This whole virus thing threw the country for a loop. 

But, we actually got through all 3 zone conferences before things got too crazy. But, that is about all the time that I have. The work is still rolling as much as it can. I love you all and send prayers your way. 

Here we are again

This week was sweet. I honestly don't really remember what happened. But, here we are again at the computer shop. 

I guess that I will just share a quick experience that we had. We have this lady that we teach (Rotchel) who I have only taught twice. But, the second time that we taught her, she basically just testified that the Book of Mormon is true. She said that she felt like there were things there that are not in the Bible. Then we didn't get to teach her for the whole week. But, on Saturday, we were just walking up the highway when this jeep pulled over and a lady jumped out. At first we didn't even recognize her, then we realized it was Rotchel. It was super crazy that we just happened to be on the highway at the moment that she rolled up. Then she told us that she wouldn't be able to go to church because she had to work. We were pretty sad because she had told us earlier in the week that she would come to church. Then the next day while at sacrament we looked back and saw her on the back row. It was awesome!! She said that because she happened to see us on the highway that she remembered she had promised to come to church and so she asked for work off and got it. It was super cool. Definitely some involvement from up above on that one. 

We also had our mission leadership council this week which we were in charge of leading. It was super fun. We talked a lot about ways to improve mission culture and work on making district councils every week a productive meeting. 

The mission is super cool. I am grateful for every day that I get to wake up with only one thing in mind. I love spending all the time that I have helping bring our brothers and sisters back to Christ. We don't have much more time, so that will just about do it. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers.

Love Elder Thomas

-plus I got my driver's license. So that is kind of neat

Lasagna, Ribs, French Toast, and Rice Krispy Treats

Whelp... I just wrapped up my first week here in San Fernando. It was wild. I have never been so busy (probably in my whole life). But, we had a good time. And If you read the title, you learn that we eat pretty well here when different events are going on. 

I never actually got a p-day last week because 2 of the people that my comp had been teaching got married in the afternoon, and then that evening they got baptized. So, it was an awesome start.

Then that evening, we had a super cool devotional type thing with the missionaries that were leaving the mission. The spirit hit the room like a bomb when Elder Magistrado (the last assistant) gave his testimony. Then President asked me and Elder Christensen to bare our testimonies. I cried for probably the 3rd time in my whole mission as I talked about how I was feeling with the new assignment. Lots of inadequacy and self-doubt, and not a lot more than just a desire to do whatever I can to help those here in this awesome mission. 

Then we got slammed with all sorts of meetings for like a straight 3 days as new missionaries came in and met their trainers. But, it was exciting to work to help them along.

But, outside of all that, we did get some time to work in our area and had some awesome experiences. We found this one girl named Katherine. Truth be told... she found us. She ran after us down the road and started by saying "what are you guys... missionaries?" Then she asked some of the coolest questions that I have been asked in my whole mission. We had an awesome discussion with her. But, after 20 minutes, her crazy aunt (who is this crazy old lady from another religion) came chasing after her with a stick because she had been talking with us. So, as fast as the whole thing had started, it ended. We just prayed that we would be able to meet her in the future. 2 days later, we finally had time to work, so we got back to that area and managed to find her. Our conversation lasted just long enough to give her a Book of Mromon and bare a quick testimony before she was chased off again by her aunt. So, hopefully we get back to her again because I have honestly never met anyone in my whole life who was a more ernest truth seeker. 

We also taught a girl named Rotchel. She was super cool. I met her for the first time just yesterday and my comp has only taught her 3 times. We got there and she started by telling us about the experience that she had as she read the into to the Book of Mormon and the testimony of Joseph Smith. She said that she compared what she had read to what she knew about the Bible and told us that she felt like she had now found the complete truth. We just bore testimony to her and answered a few of her simple questions. It was an awesome experience. 

I could honestly write like another 15 pages about awesome things that happened this week, but most of you probably don't read this far anyway (congrats if you did) and we don't have a ton more time. 

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. Love you all!!

-Elder Thomas

Assisting the President

Well... I this week was awesome!! After 7 months in Bangued, I finally got a transfer call. I am now down in the very middle of the mission and I am now going to spend some time assisting the President. So, it could make for a couple of interesting transfers. We will see how it goes.

But, I really don't have a lot of time today because our pday kind of got stolen from us today with all of the missionaries coming and going from here. 

But, last week, we finished off the transfer well up in Banacao. We had 6 of the people we are teaching attend sacrament meeting, so that was awesome. Then we kind of had a farewell party on Sunday night because me and my companion both got transferred out of the area. So, the next missionaries up there will have some good work ahead of them. 

That is going to just about rap things up here. I love you all and will hopefully be able to include some more details in the future :)

Love Elder Thomas

1 more week

This week was sweet. We were able to go on exchanges again which was super fun. One of my favorite experiences on the exchange was a little discussion that we had with a member. He has been a member for almost a year now and is just getting ready to go to the temple with his wife. We were just talking and then he asked "Why do people all seem to love the temple?" He told us that as he said that, me and my companion's faces both lit up. He was wondering why people always seem so happy when they talk about it. 

We had a cool discussion a little bit about the endowment. And how we really are given power when we take upon us sacred covenants in the temple. Then we focused on the principle that because the Priesthood has been restored, we now have the authority to seal families for the eternities. We finished the lesson by talking about the blessing that it is that we are able to be instruments in helping those who have already passed on to receive the same blessings. 

Man, I miss the temple. I know that I took for granted the fact that I could get to sooo many temples so close to my house. The temple is the house of God and we are blessed in every way as we make covenants and strive to be faithful to them.

This week, we taught probably more lessons than I have ever taught in my whole mission. Our teaching pool is awesome and we have very carefully found those that we think will progress and accept the gospel. We got home a few nights this week and realized that we hadn't even had time in the day to get to a handful of the people we had hoped to teach. It is definitely not a bad problem to have. 

And this next week is transfers. So, I will send y'all the updates as soon as I can. Love you all. 

Love Elder Thomas

Funeral Song

Well... again, I am not sure how this week went by so fast. But, I will do my best to include a few thoughts I can remember from the week. 

Funny Story first: We went to another funeral service and I was asked to play the piano. It was just at a members house and so they had a small keyboard and then they handed out a handful of hymn books that they had stored at the house. I was sitting up in front of everyone and they announced the opening hymn. So, I went to set up my hymn book and out of the front cover fell a bunch of tobacco leaves. So, all of the sudden as everyone was waiting for me to start playing, I had to sit there first and sweep all of the tobacco leaves off the keys with my hands. Lots of people were really confused. It is a good thing that I am not the person who has to judge the man who is hiding his stash of tobacco inside of a hymnbook haha.

But, this week was awesome. We went on exchanges again this week. I ended up with Elder Woolsey who I went on exchanges like 6 months ago. So, it was super fun to go again.

Then to cap off the week, we had district conference. President Oldroyd and a member of the area 70 came and spoke. They both gave awesome talks about how God uses imperfect people to guide and continue the work of salvation. It was super inspiring. I am grateful that despite all of my imperfections I am able to devote my time to helping bring others to the gospel now. 

We also got 2 new people to come to church this week, so it was super fun to see them. And then we extended a baptismal date to Tatay Rodolfo. So, after months of coming to church, his day to make the next step might finally be close. 

I love you all and am grateful for the thoughts and prayers. 

-Elder Thomas

Speaking at a Funeral

Well... this week was awesome. I still don't know how time is going by so fast, but a lot has happened in the last week. One of the coolest things that I got to be a part of this last week was speaking at a funeral. There were probably 40 members there and like 70 nonmembers. It was especially cool to see some of the nonmembers really think about what I as sharing. I just shared a testimony about life after we die. 

The Plan of Salvation is sooo cool. I know that this has kind of been my thought for the last couple of weeks. But, it really has kind of been a theme in our teaching. We have a  message that brings so much hope to anyone regardless of what their experiences may be in life. 

This week we also got to go on exchanges. I was able to work for a day with a companionship that has struggled a little bit in the past few weeks. It was kind of cool to teach and learn  about how the Atonement blesses also the missionaries in such an incredible way. Even missionaries are far from exempt from problems. But, our faith in Christ and the Plan of our Heavenly Father can help us to get through any problem or trial that we may face. 

Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers. 

Love Elder Thomas

-Zone Conference. Plus a quick throwback

New People

Well... Thanks again for all of the birthday wishes. Sorry if I didn't get the time to respond to your email. 

We had another awesome week up here in Bangued. One of the highlights was going down to the mission office for MLC. It was an awesome meeting. Our mission is changing focuses a little bit as we realling work to find NEW people that are prepared to hear the gospel. Sometimes, we have noticed that we kind of end up teaching people just to teach. And that we are missing opportunities to find the people that the Lord is preparing for us every day. It is super hard to "drop" investigators, but it is sooo rewarding when you find someone that you know the Lord has been preparing. 

As a companionship, we decided that we are going to add more time into our schedule to simply find. Find those who are reading for the gospel. This last week we found a couple of new people that we are really excited to work with. 

We have still had a lot of success as we just simply start our lessons by asking some basic inspired questions. A lot of the time, we end up teaching a small portion of the Plan of Salvation to people the first time that we meet them. This kind of peaks their interest and makes them think about what they really believe when it comes to God's plan for us. 

Studying Come Follow Me this last week was awesome!! We had a cool lesson with a group of members about how blessed we really are to have the Book of Mormon in our lives. Lots of them bore awesome testimonies about how the Book had truly changed their lives. It can honestly say that it has changed my life too. It is the reason that I am in the Philippines right now, and I am beyond blessed to spend these two years teaching people about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Goodbye Teenage Years

Well... I am just going to start this one by making it clear that I am the first of the triplets to leave the teenage years behind. Addie loses the race this year by approximately 8 hours and Caitlin still comes in last about 5 hours after that. haha :)

Anyway... Thanks for all the birthday wishes. It should be a good one this year. 

We had another good week out here in Banacao. The weeks are going by faster than ever. Our work kind of got thrown a curveball into the middle of it because last Tuesday the daughter of a member died in a crazy motorcycle accident. That just makes our work a little bit hard because she is basically going to have a 2 month viewing. Kind of weird, but basically they just leave the body out on display in the casket and for the 2 months, people come every night and play card games (gamble). So, since they are a big part-member family in our area, teaching them will be a little bit rough for a bit. 

But, it has opened some other doors to let us teach. We have taught some awesome lessons about the Plan of Salvation. People are super willing to listen when they really realize that the lesson applies to them. A death in the family is an awesome time to easily talk about questions like "Where do we go after we die?" So, we have had some super cool lesson teaching about life after death.

A knowledge of the Plan of Salvation is seriously the coolest thing. This week in our area an old lady and a 2 week old baby passed away. We watched a lot of people mourn this week because of the loss. It is super sad, but a knowledge of the Plan that God has for us makes it very bearable. 

I know that the plan that God has for us is perfect. I know that he wants nothing more than for each and every one of us to return to live with him. I am grateful for the time that I have to be out here to share this knowledge with the people of the Philippines.  Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers!!

Love Elder Thomas

-sorry no pics this week. 

BYE BYE SISTERS!!

Whelp... 18 months have now come and gone and the sisters in my batch (along with my trainer) are headed home. So that is CRAZY!!! I really have no clue how the time has gone so fast. But, it is definitely a little push of motivation to make sure that I do everything that I can with the time that I have left. 

This week was super cool. We spent one day with our recent convert and hiked a mountain to go to a little community up on the other side of the 2 mountain ranges. It was an awesome hike and the view of our area and the view on the other side was beautiful. We got to the other side and found a good handful of people to teach. They were all super cool (probably because I am like the first person that has ever come to their little community that could actually speak Tagalog). We found a ton of people who new missionaries or members of our church because of work or school. So, it was super fun to make little connections with them.

This week we also spent a lot of time finding more and more part-members. We have found lots of relatives of members that are super fun to teach. 

Plus transfers kind of came and went. I am lucky enough to spend another 6 weeks here in Banacao. There is definitely a lot of work to be done and it should be another awesome transfer!!

I love you all. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!!

Love Elder Thomas