The Best 2 Years: Elder Jace Thompson in Omaha/Japan: the one with ゾーン大会

"Boom, you looking for this?"

Monday, we had some really good indo curry for lunch, and then after we went to a Manga museum. Manga is like Japanese comic books, and it was pretty cool.

Wednesday we had District Council and then at the end of the day we went to our friend Takuya's house and had dinner with him. He made takoyaki, which is fried octopus, put into a ball, and he taught us how to make it, which was fun. After eating we played jenga and while playing, he played lots of music. He started out with some classic Taylor Swift, and after a few more songs, he let us play music. You already know I jumped on that opportunity and played some metallica and other classic rock songs.

Thursday, we met up with another friend we found on this app called Hello Talk, and we went to dinner with him. He took us to a really good ramen place, and he ended up being in high school. On the way over, he was BLASTING music on his phone and SCREAMING his little heart out, which was absolutely hilarious. We started out listening to Ed Sheeran, and then he asked what music I like, and so he played a bunch of Queen songs. Man, it was a good week for music.

Friday, we met up with another person we met on Hello Talk for lunch, and he ended up bringing his friend, and we had a party! They took us to this really good buffet. You have a thing of oil in front of you, and then you get as much meat and vegetables as you want and fry it in the oil in front of you. It was crazy good and something I feel like America would go ballistic for.

Miracle Monday, we had Zone Conference, and it was so good!!!! Kobe is just the greatest mission of all time. I love my mission president so much! President Sano is one of the most loving people I've ever met! It was such a good day, and we talked a lot about our personal conversion, which was great.

Spiritual thought (sorry, it's kinda long this week)

2 Nephi 33:9

I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.

Missionary work isn’t the only thing we need to do in this big, wide, wonderful church. But almost everything else we need to do depends on people first hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ and coming into the faith. Surely that is why Jesus’s final charge to the Twelve was just that basic—to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Then, and only then, can the rest of the blessings of the gospel fully come—family solidarity, youth programs, priesthood promises, and ordinances flowing right up to the temple. But as Nephi testified, none of that can come until one has “enter[ed] into the … gate.” With all that there is to do along the path to eternal life, we need a lot more missionaries opening that gate and helping people through it.

From every man, young and old, who bears the priesthood, I ask for a stronger and more devoted voice, a voice not only against evil and him who is the personification of it, but a voice for good, a voice for the gospel, a voice for God. Brethren of all ages, unbind your tongues and watch your words work wonders in the lives of those “who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.”

-Jeffrey R. Holland

Yeah... Elder Holland is just the best. I just love how important missionary work is, and I'm so glad I've been given the opportunity to serve!

To all those who are serving missions right now: You are doing the Lord's work. Keep gathering Israel.

To all those who are thinking about serving a mission:

There is nothing I'd rather be doing right now than giving two years of my life to my savior. Missions are absolutely amazing, and you won't regret going on one. If you aren't sure if you should serve a mission or even if you adamantly don't want to go, I know that a mission will bless not only your life, but the lives of others, in a way unlike anything else you will ever experience.

No one put it better than my man Sheev Palpatine when he said, *In a deep gravelly voice* "Do It."

Well, that's all I got this week (sorry for the long email). Feel free to email me!!