Week 92

A late letter is better than no letter..

Thursday March 27, 2014 at 6:44 PM

Hey Family,

So, yeah, about the voice class...forget that for fall.  I just pray the Lord, because of my diligence and obedience, brings back to remembrance all the many things I have forgotten so that I don't drive the fall semester into the ground.  Sheesh, but enough about that.  

Life is good.  I got a letter from Grams, number 91 from mom with the ton of stuff in it.  Yeah, I'll have to get back to you on that stuff soon.  I just haven't had time.  We really didn't get a preparation day this week...

I'm glad that Velvet is doing well.  I love that girl and miss her.  

I had a question...have y'all done any missionary work with our new neighbors yet? Just curious :)

I hope y'all have fun at the vernal temple too!  That should be a great experience.  In a couple of weeks, we'll get to go to the temple again :)  

So, last week, we went on two exchanges.  1 we went to Wilmington which is about 2 hours away.  That was good, and then we also went on exchange with the Durham elders and I got to be with my first boy again!  Elder Moses.  It was like the good ol' days.  He's a really good missionary.  

Funny story time, we went over to teach a lesson to a family in the ward on Sunday whose son is preparing to serve a mission and it turns out that I have completed the circuit.  Allow me to explain.  In my first area, I met this lady.  She was nice but less active.  In my 2nd area, I met another nice, but less active lady who turns out to be the 1st area's lady's sister.  Crazy coincidence right?? It gets better.  This lady who is active that we went to on Sunday is the 3 and final sister that lives in North Carolina.  I have now successfully served in all 3 wards of that North Carolina family.  Morehead, Southport, and Falls Lake.  Who would have thought? :)  

Another good story.  Last Thursday, we had the incredible opportunity, through invitation, to go into one of the local high schools hear and teach 2 periods of a world religions course.  The class was an elective class for seniors, and we basically taught a brief restoration/background of our church, and then opened it up for questions.  It was really great experience.  And the teacher, who’s not even Christian, said that he learned a lot.  One thing in particular that I was pretty bold about was when we were explaining our views on the trinity.  I told the class that my belief that they were 3 separate personages, but one in every other aspect helped me to understand whom I was truly worshiping.  Additionally, and here was the pretty bold part, I told them that that belief also enabled the New Testament to make a ton more sense.  Without that belief, we learn that Jesus Christ sure liked to talk to himself a lot (and I said that), but I was serious, and I brought up the experience in the garden when he pleads with his Father to take the cup from Him.  It means so much because it's His Father, and He's begging Him, but is completely willing to do the Father's will.  It was powerful.  And this made a large impact on the teacher who mentioned to me afterwards that that explanation made a ton of sense to him.  Why would Jesus need to be asking himself for permission?  If He was also His own Father, then He could have done whatever he wanted to; He could grant Himself His own permission.  Overall, an awesome experience.  And the students took about 35 copies of the Book of Mormon and 20 some pamphlets (mostly Plan of Salvation) and some cards.  I would say a good morning indeed.  That was all before Lunch :)  

We have some really good members in this ward, and hopefully, we will begin seeing some more fruit come from their efforts to share the gospel.  Many of them are really looking for opportunities and praying for them.  One thing I've realized is that when I go and have dinner with a member that sincerely wants to do missionary work, but obviously doesn't fully understand how or exactly what missionary work is, all I really want to do is help them understand.  It makes me realize that I have truly been so blessed by Father and have learned so much about the Hastening of the Work of Salvation.  I hope that I can help others to grow in their understanding as well.  This mission (these 6 stakes) has such potential to take off in the Lord's work.  If we all can all just truly come to understand and then internalize the doctrine, miracles will occur.  I know they will.

Well, I don't have much time before we turn into pumpkins, but know that I love y'all so much.  I love our Savior.  I absolutely cherish His Atonement.  I have truly come to understand in such a greater degree the reality of that gift made free and available to all who are willing to accept the conditions of repentance.  And I know He enables.  We are nothing on our own.  Nothing, but with God, all things are possible.  The Atonement has definitely become one of my closest friends.

Love,

Elder Patty

Week 91

Mar 18, 2014 at 9:58 AM

Family!!!

Well, well, well, Word has reached mine ear by an unknown tongue that thou didst receive such communication of vocal performance from kindred here yonder in North Carolina, brothers and sisters of the Thornton bloodline, ah, such a choice bloodline indeed.  

Okay...did y'all really think I was going to be writing the letter like that again?? Sheesh, ..., rookie mistake. ;)

So, anyways, yeah, apparently that is a tradition that they do when a new Elder comes to their home.  I think it's the first time I've ever sung a solo to a group of people.  But I think it went alright.  Speaking of which, and this is ridiculously coincidental, since I've been planning on telling you this for a while....anyways, mom, I know you pick classes soon (or possible recently) and I was wondering if you could see if there is a voice lesson class or something (I have absolutely no idea what it would be called).  Ask DJ if you need help navigating the BYU system.  And then book what appears to be the best for my schedule etc. If I end up not liking it, I'll just drop it later, but I think I want to take a sort of class such as that, to refine myself :)  Muchas gracias.  I hope that all makes sense.  I forgot to mention it last week.

We had a regional stake conference last week, and that was great!  EVERYTHING was geared toward Hastening the Work...I LOVE THE WORK!!!! Missionary work is seriously the best thing ever.  We also were able to attend the adult session (and youth session) Saturday night.  Super good.  Elder Perry spoke on Sunday and gave a personal shout out to our Stake President here in Raleigh, saying that he'll see him in a couple weeks when he comes for the regional priesthood leadership such-an-such meeting.  Good stuff again.

So, like I mentioned last week.  We continue to work with Jay.  We saw some definite growth this last week.  Turns out, he really does believe sort of in God.  I don't think Jesus Christ though, but at the end of the lesson, we invited him to pray and he did so, but he wouldn't pray in Christ's name.  It was a nice prayer nonetheless.  One thing he did though, was he thanked us for coming over because we have caused him/helped him to once again think of religion on a spiritual basis.  It was really nice.  He is a great kid.  Next week, I hope he can come to church.  

Oh, by the way, my instruction on Thursday that I asked you to pray would be better than the instruction on Tuesday went much much better.  I definitely felt that I at least taught more by the spirit and in a manner that was much more conducive for the spirit to testify to the hearts of those I was teaching and ultimately be the true teacher.  I, at least in part, felt that I lived up to the standard that I would expect from those that taught me when I was in the youngins' position.  

Our Bishop's family, the Thornton family, is awesome :)  They invited about 5 families over for dinner on Sunday.  They were shooting the odds.  1 family, a part member family, did come, and we had a wonderful lesson afterwards on the reality of Jesus Christ and His love and Atonement.  Then, our amazing Bishop bore powerful testimony and extended ever-so-loving invitations for the part member husband to read and pray about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and to search these things out for himself.  It was great.  Can't go wrong with Thornton as a last name, I guess ;)  

Also, yesterday, I talked with the Thorntons we live with and we compared some genealogy.  We couldn't find a connection as of yet with the data I received from mom, but we know somewhere back there, we have got to be connected.  Ah, family history work, why are you so exciting??? :) :)

Okay, here's a question...mom or dad, do you know any Rodeback's (that may be speeled wrong) HAHAHA (did you see what I did there...I knew there were 2 p's) :) anyways, a lady in the ward here knows some or is related to some in Grand Junction.  Just thought I'd ask.  BTW, y'all are doing great with the lack of trunkiness.  I'm grateful and impressed.  I'll tell you that most other moms and families cannot say the same thing.  Also, funny story.  I just happened to be here when the letter from mom to the office came in with some itinerary data...yep...that's awkward ;)  I believe, Mom, that you are the first one in for my group...you even got it in before my companion's parents and he leaves a transfer before I do.  I told the office secretary that my mom is super efficient.  I think she agrees :)  Mom, you're the best!  But that's quite obvious, wouldn't everyone agree??

Well, needless to say, I really don't know of anything else to write except a stankin' hilarious story about Facebook.  Here goes...

Once upon a time, there was a diligent little missionary who ever so much desired to use Facebook to track down elusive less actives members in the wards where he served.  Well, thus he did.  Friend request after friend request...message after message, but some small successes came, which fueled his desire.  However, after many a days in such a quest, he received a notice from Facebook that informed him that he was blocked from sending friend requests and messages for 7 days because he was sending too many requests to people he didn't know.  Frustrated, but undeterred, at the conclusion of 7 days, he continued his efforts, however, maybe not so robustly as before.  However, in just a few days after being unblocked, this poor young missionary was again informed by Facebook that he was blocked for 14 days.  Slightly hurt and confused, this little missionary wondered what he had ever done to deserve such treatment.  Is not the furthering of the Lord's work a good enough reason for Facebook??  Apparently not.  Nevertheless, it was shortly after this 2nd block that this dedicated missionary was transferred to a new area. This prevented problems in using Facebook for said missionary as he was unable to friend any of the members or missionaries in his new area.  Finally, the ban was lifted, and he was at it again...off finding those lost sheep in cyber space.  Only in the deepest depths of his mind did he fear that he would be blocked once more, but he took the chance and send many friend requests.  Well, this story doesn't end here.  One morning this young happy missionary logged on to Facebook to reveal that he had once again been blocked from sending friend requests and messages to others that aren't friends.  Shattered, he noticed the time span.  30 days.  This young missionary's companion will practically be home before he can once again send a measly friend request.  This block this time, though, came with a warning, if it happens again..he may be blocked PERMANENTLY!!!! Gees, all for trying to labor in the vineyard of the Lord.  

Moral of the story: It's hard to help lost sheep that tell Facebook that you should be blocked.  

The End.

Well, I hope you liked my, uh, I mean, the story of the young missionary.  Poor chap, I hope he's alright ;)

Thanks for all you do; I love y'all so much!

Love,

Elder Patty

Week 90

Mi Familia y mis amigos

Wed. March 12, 2014 at 2:21 PM

Well well well...what do we have here.  A canonball, eh? Is that what you say.  Well a turkey's uncle once told me that chickens don't understand how to take the square root of an irrational number...hizzah, I might say, then again, a hamburger's biggest dream might be to marry a telephone...not marry sillies, but perform the wedding ceremony...com' on, everyone knows that :)

Okay, what you just experienced was me typing whatever random thoughts came into my head and making it into a wonderful, plot-heavy, nobel-winning story.

Good afternoon,

My remarks today will go as such.  In the beginning,...of last week,...we attended a zone training meeting.  Twas delightful, indeed.  Elder Curtis and I decidedly arrived fashionably late.  For what reason you may ask...alas, tis unknown.  Tisk tisk...we must have forgotten that of the usual time restrictions.  To continue, we hath begun diligent laborings amongst the holy matriomony of 2 wonderful folks.  (aka, they're married, and we're teaching them :) )  One must truly hope that many good tales of conversion will follow such a marvelous introduction.  Throughout the moons of this past week, we have visited many a wonderful folk. T'has been remarkable to say the least.  Thou mightest wonder as to the reason for my speech being as such.  Might I say, your incessant ponderings will not soon reach a cessation.  Alas ;)  

Ah, a tale!  The Friday that came before next includeth a wonderful meeting with a splendid child.  He is a Chinese fella' that currently accounts for nearly 216 moons of existence.  As of this moment, he dost not quite believe in such a being as a God although he has a knowledge of such; in replacement, he believeth in nature of a sort, but he has generous willingness to continue meeting with such individuals as ourselves.  Delightful, isn't it??  

Now, to continue such as a tale as thou art currently experiencing, I turn to a series of events that hast occurred this past end of week.  I wast granted the blessed opportunity of traveling down to the meaty heart of Raleigh to the Residence of several elders that are beautifully dominated by a language not of our own.  Twas Spanish.  :)  Following the experience of a couple of lessons, one of which was half Spanish, half English --twas delightful indeed-- we layeth our wearied heads upon clouds of feathers.  In the beauty of dawn, we arose to a glorious morning, and then we traveled to our chapel of peace to begin preparations for the day of worship.  The kicker was that this, my dear comrades, is a Spanish ward.  It was very enjoyable to be in a Spanish ward the full sun of the day; speaking such a language as Spanish is far more conquerable of a task than understanding those who have spaketh that language since emergence from the womb.  Me encanta espanol :)  Then, following our exchange with these fine Spanish elders, Elder Curtis and I taught the 30+ adult Sunday school class which taketh place at the stake center.  It too was glorious.  Teaching the gospel is so much fun because it is absolutely amazing.  

  

The day that cometh before today was also delightful.  We embarked on a quest of meeting with 1/2 of the first transfer trainees and their trainers.  Ah!  They are an amazing set of individuals.  Remarkable missionaries...truly remarkable.  I, on the other-hand, did not have my best experience at teaching.  Sad story.  The first of my instructions was intended upon being 25 minutes long; however, regrettably and without forewarning, my time was cut short which putteth me off my mojo, and I surely looketh like a fool to all in attendance.  Alas, what shall we say.  simply, alas...

In the day that follows one such as today, we shall be holding a similar meeting with the other half of the trainees and trainers.  I truly hope to be of greater value to those in attendance.  Pray it be so.  

Father, I am so pleased that you had such an opportunity as the one thou didst describe.  Truly, it sounds remarkable, and we canst say it too much; The Lord's work of salvation is incredible!  The illnesses that have been plaguing me have graciously decided to sleep and I now only retain a remnant of their hostile actions against one such as myself.  

Much else to say I have not...but, hopefully I may soon have captured realities to send to a family as wonderful as yourselves. 

With much love I seal this epistle.

-Elder Thornton

Week 89

Tuesday March 4, 2014 at 2:48 PM

Family, 

So first off, I am typing this email on an iPad. Yeah, not a big deal ;) haha But anyways, life has been good.  Let me try to recall what happened last week... I received 87,88 2 from. Grandma, a postcard from dad , and one from Rachel. Thanks, y'all :) 

I can't believe it's March already. Crazy stuff. So we had some more snow last night...a skiff I might add...and......it shut down the whole town again, the schools for two days. I had been feeling better and then it attacked me again and I felt pretty sick again, different this time, but I was coughing up hurricane Katrina all over again. Now I feel mostly betterish again, but I still cough occasionally and my brain is quickly being depleted through my nose. Everyone  wants me to take a bunch of meds for it, but y'all know me, I'm a man and I tough things out ;) mom, don't worry,  I'll call the mission nurse if it starts getting bad again, but right now all I'd be able to tell her is that I have a runny nose and I cough...she would probably tell me to take some medication that attacks symptoms instead of problems :) my companion doesn't understand my philosophy :) 

Here's a good story. So on Sunday, Elder Curtis and I decided not to go to church. We're  going to be the first less active full time missionaries y'all know! Haha, actually the real story is that the mission leadership council joined the regional coordinating council for a meeting during church on Sunday. Elder Parker our area authority presided, btw, he's Jabari's uncle, and all the stake presidencies were there for our mission and also the high counselors over missionary work and the temple president and the mission president. So exciting stuff right! Well, let me make this story even more exciting. Elder Parker is leading this council and asks President Bernhisel to have a couple of his missionaries instruct the council on goal setting...president Bernhisel turns to Elder Curtis and myself, who were sitting closest to him and asks us to do it. So with absolutely no preparation and a minuscule amount of direction Elder Curtis and I teach the coordination council about goal setting. It actually went really well, which I completely attribute to the spirit. We were unified and both on the same page in what we were teaching about which was a miracle since we could have gone a million different directions.  Good story. :) 

I also talked to sis. Oliver on Sunday and told her dad had seen her picture. She said she knows Taylor Ogburn. Funny world.  

We won't have regular zone conferences again where there are 6 separate meetings until July *hint hint* and we drive a dodge caravan. It's pretty nice. We call her, Champion. No fun on the church basketball situation...dad, you have nothing else on your plate, you should ref!! Neat stuff on Amber and Brad's house. Should be fun. also, Elder Curtis has been here for 1 transfer more than me and he goes home 1 transfer before I do.

So last week we did find a new investigator and we were really excited...and this week, she's no longer an investigator...sad face. But we do have a few good appointments set up with some potential investigators this week that I'm really excited about!!

Thanks for being the best!!! Love y'all so much!!!

Love, 

Elder Patty Thornton