Hi everyone,
This week has been pretty good. Bakersfield is finally cooling down. This past week has been in the 70's and 80's. It's no Michigan fall, but I'll take it. Last Tuesday we went over to Angelica's home, the lady whose son has cancer, to have a lesson. It turned out there was something that came up with her other son and she had to go help him at his house. She had to leave, but she didn't have a car. It was around 8:00 at night and she was going to have to walk about a mile to the nearest bus stop. She said she felt nervous walking through that part of town so we told her we would walk with her. On our way to the bus stop, she asked us what we believe happens to those people who died before they had the chance to accept Christ into their lives. So it was really cool, we got to explain how regardless of whether we ever learned about Christ during our lifetime or not, we all will have an opportunity to accept and follow Him. She was really amazed by that and the walk took us about forty five minutes so we got to share with her the whole Plan of Salvation. She really enjoyed it. I just thought it was cool because we got to share it with her while walking through some pretty sketchy streets at night. This poor mother has already had some of her children pass away, but it was really cool to see the message of our Heavenly Father's plan give her a little peace.
The rest of the week was pretty good, on Wednesday there was a really bad dust storm so we got a text telling us to stay inside for the rest of the day. It was pretty boring, so our District met at the church and waited it out playing sports. It was really a fun day. When we left the church, all of our cars were covered in dust. You just gotta love that Bakersfield air! We have met a lot of haters this week too. I think I have met more angry people this week than I have during my entire time in Bakersfield. It was crazy. We met this one man in Jack In the Box, who was giving us a hard time about having the title Elder on our name tags. He said, "Elders are old wise people who know a lot about life. That's a joke!" He was pretty upset about it. I just told him to have a nice day. And then on Sunday we were coming out of an appointment and we were walking down the street to our car. Then, out of nowhere, we hear this voice coming from an apartment complex on the other side of the street. He was screaming at us to get off of his property (remember, we were on the other side of the street...) and told us in some pretty colorful language that he never wanted to see us around there again. It was actually a little freaky. What is weird though, is that stuff doesn't even bother me. Back home, I probably would have been upset that someone was so mad at me, but I just kind of shake it off out here. I know that they don't really know what they are talking about and maybe just misunderstand us. So, it's no big deal. Jesus was the perfect example. He loved everyone, not just the people who were good to Him. The Savior even showed love and compassion to people who harassed and criticized Him. So I figure, I should try to do the same.
Well, I should get going. We are going to meet up with the District soon. It is always a good time when we get together. I hope everyone has a great week.
Much Love,
Elder Chad Thompson
This week has been pretty good. Bakersfield is finally cooling down. This past week has been in the 70's and 80's. It's no Michigan fall, but I'll take it. Last Tuesday we went over to Angelica's home, the lady whose son has cancer, to have a lesson. It turned out there was something that came up with her other son and she had to go help him at his house. She had to leave, but she didn't have a car. It was around 8:00 at night and she was going to have to walk about a mile to the nearest bus stop. She said she felt nervous walking through that part of town so we told her we would walk with her. On our way to the bus stop, she asked us what we believe happens to those people who died before they had the chance to accept Christ into their lives. So it was really cool, we got to explain how regardless of whether we ever learned about Christ during our lifetime or not, we all will have an opportunity to accept and follow Him. She was really amazed by that and the walk took us about forty five minutes so we got to share with her the whole Plan of Salvation. She really enjoyed it. I just thought it was cool because we got to share it with her while walking through some pretty sketchy streets at night. This poor mother has already had some of her children pass away, but it was really cool to see the message of our Heavenly Father's plan give her a little peace.
The rest of the week was pretty good, on Wednesday there was a really bad dust storm so we got a text telling us to stay inside for the rest of the day. It was pretty boring, so our District met at the church and waited it out playing sports. It was really a fun day. When we left the church, all of our cars were covered in dust. You just gotta love that Bakersfield air! We have met a lot of haters this week too. I think I have met more angry people this week than I have during my entire time in Bakersfield. It was crazy. We met this one man in Jack In the Box, who was giving us a hard time about having the title Elder on our name tags. He said, "Elders are old wise people who know a lot about life. That's a joke!" He was pretty upset about it. I just told him to have a nice day. And then on Sunday we were coming out of an appointment and we were walking down the street to our car. Then, out of nowhere, we hear this voice coming from an apartment complex on the other side of the street. He was screaming at us to get off of his property (remember, we were on the other side of the street...) and told us in some pretty colorful language that he never wanted to see us around there again. It was actually a little freaky. What is weird though, is that stuff doesn't even bother me. Back home, I probably would have been upset that someone was so mad at me, but I just kind of shake it off out here. I know that they don't really know what they are talking about and maybe just misunderstand us. So, it's no big deal. Jesus was the perfect example. He loved everyone, not just the people who were good to Him. The Savior even showed love and compassion to people who harassed and criticized Him. So I figure, I should try to do the same.
Well, I should get going. We are going to meet up with the District soon. It is always a good time when we get together. I hope everyone has a great week.
Much Love,
Elder Chad Thompson