"The Screamers"

 A sneaky picture of one of "the screamers"'s signs
 before the craziness began

Idaho potatoes from Sis Beck's fam

Exchanges with Sister Putoa

I can't believe how fast the weeks are flying by. I think I blinked and this week was over! So many tender mercies happen every day. I'd love to tell y'all all about them.....but then this email would be forever long. I know for sure that the Savior is with us every moment in this work.

Free speech alley was a wild ride on Tuesday. A group called "The Fellowship of the Consuming Fire" (affectionately nicknamed "the screamers") made an appearance on campus. Basically they are a group of 40 or so Pentecostal extremists whose tactic of "spreading the gospel" is to scream hellfire and damnation to every single person who walks by. Like they would take shifts and scream hate repentance on a little 4 ft wall while the rest of them chased students down or tried to bash others on free speech alley. It was insane! At one point 10 or so of them surrounded Elder Adams-Hart and Sister Putoa who politely confounded them.

There were some booths next to us who pumped up their music to drown out the screamers. That was awesome! It was understandably hard to talk to students that day, but our role was to lift and reach out to everyone who walked by. It was cool, the spirit was with us and it was like having a little "spirit bubble" amidst all the craziness. 

I've been thinking a lot about that this week. I'm not gonna lie, life has been pretty crazy lately. Sister Beck and I always talk about how our heads are spinning and we haven't really taken a second to breathe. I've been noticing how important it is to find moments to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalms 46:10). It's great to be busy, but when I'm rushing around I have a harder time listening to spiritual promptings and drawing nearer to the Savior. I'm setting a goal to be better this week!

I love y'all tons! Women's Conference was incredible and inspired. I can't wait for General Conference! Something I loved from the women's session:

"When we give our heart to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ we change our world, even if our circumstances don't change - Neill F. Marriott

Have an amazing week!

<3 Sister Thomas

We challenged Elder Dildine to eat 8 cookies at zone conference #bikelife

Keeping up with the Jones'

Happy exchanges <3

Sister Pedro <3

Spiritual highs and smiles

I love Sister Gelwix <3

This sweet and craaazy woman who was telling us about her "drug ferret"

It was another lovely week in the world of Louisiana! I seriously don't think I'll ever get over this place. I feel a lot like the people of Alma in Mosiah 18. Just like how Mormon became "beautiful...to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer" (Mosiah 18:30), Louisiana has become a beautiful and sacred place to me because it is here that I have come to know Jesus Christ in such a personal way. I wouldn't trade this place or these experiences for the world. 

It was one of those weeks that kept us smiling! Here are some of my favorite smile moments:

• We were teaching Sierra (an answer to prayers) at the Union, which is the student center on campus. She wanted to meet in the food court as she took her lunch break so we sat at a table right outside smoothie king. Let me tell you - there were blenders going, people talking all around us, trays dropping, and all sorts of crazy noises but it was as if we were in a small spiritual bubble. The outside world could have been miles away for all we knew; the spirit was strong as we testified of Heavenly Father's plan of happiness. Sierra opened up and is now on date for baptism! We love her and her sweet desire to follow Jesus Christ.
• We were coming back from this amazing lesson and had a sweet "feel good" experience! As we were walking back from campus we saw this cute little old asian woman wobbling up to us. She didn't speak any english but she embraced us and held our faces, looking into our eyes with such joy. She kept hugging us and kissing our faces and then she just walked away. Words don't do it justice, but it was one of the coolest moments.
• I went on exchanges with Sister Gelwix! It's been almost a year since we were first companions and I didn't realize how much I miss teaching and "missionary-ing" with her. We actually taught some people who reminded me of Opelousas so I felt right at home!

Missionary work is full of ups and downs, just like life, but I am so grateful for these tender mercies of the Lord. My favorite quote this week: "We fail only if we fail to take another faithful step forward. We will not, we cannot, fail if we are faithfully yoked to the Savior - He who has never failed and will never fail us!" - Elder Bennett

Have a bless'd week. Keep on taking those steps of faith. I know the Savior will be right beside you. I love y'all!

<3 Sister Thomas

Michael teaching me how to play the erhu (chinese instrument)

We tried to take a fun picture after baton rouge
exchanges but it just ended up like this

Wild Louisiana rain

Go team!

MLC with my mission sistas (all of us were trained
by the legendary Sister Amezcua <3)

 Reunited with cute Sister Smeltz on exchanges!
We brought Kimberleigh to free speech alley and she was a natural

Some moments make everything worth it. Phillip's baptism on Saturday was definitely one of those moments!

The cool thing about Phillip is he wasn't "golden" at first. We met Phillip at free speech alley on LSU campus. Sister Rogers was here with me on exchanges and we tried talking to Phillip as he walked past. He waved at us but kept on walking. A little while later he came back with a strange look on his face. As he tells the story, he saw our whiteboard with the words "Does God have a plan for me?" That question hit him hard. He knew he needed to come back and talk to us. He wouldn't give us his address and he didn't want missionaries to come by to visit him, but we got his phone number and invited him to institute. He told us he'd "check it out". Usually this means we'll never see them again. But thank goodness Phillip is different :)

He came to institute and we introduced him to Elder Teare and Elder Adams-Hart. They began teaching him! There were still a lot of bumps in the road but the elders were so good with him. They were exactly who Phillip needed. Then the ward came in...and honestly that's what made the difference. The ward embraced Phillip like I've never seen before. The ward became his best friends and gave him support, invited him to activities and even road trips, and became role models for him to follow. Because of all of these combined efforts Phillip made the brave choice to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized. 

Phillip is solid! He is excited to serve a mission in a year and teach others about the good news of the gospel. It's cool how Heavenly Father arranged a "team" of the elders, the ward, and even President and Sister Varner to help Phillip get to this point. He is so mindful. Go team!

There is so much potential here at LSU. We keep working hard, praying hard, and seeking for the "one by one" progression. I'm thankful for the miracles and tender mercies we see each day. God is good!

Have a rad week y'all. I'll be praying for you!

<3 Sister Thomas

Making relief boxes for Flordia with the ward

Phillip and President Varner

The original LSU "dream team" reunited

"If anyone's going to heaven it's the mormons. They're just so nice!"

Waffle houses at FHE

I can't even tell you how many times the BYU/LSU game was brought up in testimony meeting yesterday. Bishop started it off by comparing LSU to Satan and testifying that we can keep moving forward, and everyone else celebrated LSU's win by testifying of our individual potential to do great things. Y'all. I didn't really get it until now, but football really is religion here!

Don't worry fam, I still love BYU but I'll be real: LSU has my heart right now. This area has been exploding this week and we've seen more miracles than I can say. It means a lot to me that Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives. He takes notice of the little things. There are tender mercies all around us!

Our week started off with a bang when we walked out of one of the best district meetings of my mission. This district is on fire! The AP's instructed on sanctification and the power that comes from giving it all to Heavenly Father. We are endowed with power when we lay everything on the altar of sacrifice, especially those things we don't want to give up. Sister Beck and I have made an increased effort to find those small and important changes we need to make. It's made all the difference!

D&C 64:33-34

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."

Heavenly Father has been so kind to us! I feel like I've come to know Jesus Christ in such a real way this week. Every good thing comes from him and boy, have we seen good come into the lives of those we've met and taught. I love being a missionary! I'm so happy here and even on the craziest days (and let's be real, there is no such thing as a "normal day" out here) Heavenly Father is sending sunshine through the clouds. 

I love y'all! Thank you for being a tender mercy in my life.

<3 Sister Thomas

p.s. If y'all have a second this little video is a must see. It's Elder Holland so you already know it's waaaaay good! 

https://www.lds.org/media- library/video/2016-03-0021- the-savior-understands-me? lang=eng

Happy 1 year to Sister Beck!!

The new Free Speech Alley crew