Week 30

Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 9:32 AM

Hey family, sounds like things are going pretty well.  That's good.  Not gonna lie, I'm a bit jealous on the snow part of the activity.  On Saturday, it was upwards near 70, which is not January weather in any sense of the word, and it definitely kills because we have to still wear suits...aka...super hot and sweaty...in the middle of January. ;)  Also, everyone and their pet fido is sick here as well.  It's crazy.  I guess it's been a widespread thing across the country.  Luckily, the Lord has blessed Elder Kilbourne and me so far and helping us stay healthy (I bet it also has to do with all your prayers as well :)  Thanks! )

Next Monday, since it is MLK day (and my birthday) emails will be down at the Library and so we'll probably email Tuesday.  Just fyi.  Ok.  Last week, I got a postcard from dad and letter 30 from mom.  Also, I got Kayla's package about a week ago, I forgot to mention it.  It was slightly held up at the mission office I think because the office can't forward ups stuff.  I also received a letter from Nelson a week or 2 ago. 

To answer Dad's inquiries, we actually have a pretty large teaching pool right now, which is good.  The work is going pretty well, and we have high hopes for the future.  We are teaching somewhere around 10 or so lessons a week to investigators/those not of our faith and a few lessons to recent converts and less active members.  Elder Kilbourne is doing pretty good.  I'm teaching him, mostly through example, how to work hard all the time, which he sees as something I do well, so hopefully it will stick at least slightly with him when we part.  The Lord definitely has many things for me to learn in every part of my mission, Southport being included.  Now it's up to me and my agency to learn them...for life :)  

This next week should be pretty good.  On Thursday we are going up to Kinston for our zone conference.  It should be really good.  Down side is that we have to burn 120 miles of our monthly allotment for the trip...aka...the last week of this month is going to be painful.  Miles are one of the biggest challenges here in Southport.  In MHC, it was a much larger ward, so we had more help in terms of exchanges etc and many of the ward members either were retired or they ran their own businesses and thus had time to help us out.  It is not as much the case here in Southport.  So, we're working on it, but the Lord gives us no commandments that we can't accomplish.  We just have to trust Him.  

This transfer, which is a 7 week transfer, is going by pretty quickly though.  We’re starting week 5 this week and before we know it, transfers will be here the first week of February.  

Here's a slightly humorous story...prepare for a couple of giggles...we were talking to this lady the other day and she was going off about a lot of different things.  Here are 2.  

1) In answer to her own question of why did God make man? she answered "To name the animals!!"  Talk about a worthwhile existence.  Not only that, but Adam lived too dang long and did it all before we were even born :(   no fair ;)

2) She told us that "God hates in-breeding animals.  The Platypus, Okapi??? Who knows how they slipped past Noah!!"  All and all, good stuff.

Okay, back to business.  I'm still loving the Book of Mormon more and more.  Preach My Gospel is the BEST!!!!!  Love it :)  New Testament, never appreciated it enough :)  Words of the modern prophet, SO CRUCIAL!!!!!  Joseph Smith, amazing man who deserves a lot of thanks...I mean a lot. 

Well, overall, life's been going well.  We are working hard, and I'm constantly learning/ being taught.  There are so many things to improve. It's kind of overwhelming at times, but I just try to take it one step at a time.  I'm so grateful for our Father in Heaven and for my testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and His restored Gospel.  I wouldn't trade my testimony for the world. 

Thanks for being my family.  I love y'all so much.  I wouldn't trade you for the world either.  True joy can only be found in the teachings of Christ and in obedience to his Gospel.  Love it so much.

Have a great week.  Enjoy everything...or at least mostly everything.  Remember what matters most and what our purpose in even living is or at least should be. 

Love always and forever,

your son/brother/favorite missionary, ;)

Elder Patty Thornton

ps.  Have any of y'all heard about that new movie, Safehaven?  Well, it's filmed right here in Southport and Southport actually plays itself in the movie, aka, the characters are also living in Southport.  Did that make sense?  ie. I'm famous ;)

pps.  I could use some snow/cold weather :)

ppps.  <-- (is that even legal?) At the end of this transfer, I will be where Elder Jensen was when he picked me up as his new greenie!!