Week 97

Apr 28, 2014 at 3:48 PM

Hey family, 

So, to start, I got 96 from mom and one from grandma and the card from dad.  Life was pretty good this past week. I went on a couple exchanges with other missionaries. It was really good. I'm not going to lie, I just feel really drained sometimes; being tired has gone to a new level.  

I don't really have much to say this time. I'm sorry I didn't get back to you fast enough before Michael signed a lease. We'll get something worked out. Robert, my past roommate, might be an option.  

The only thing I really have to talk about is the Gladys Knight SUV fireside. It was SOOOOOOOO good. Seriously, I absolutely loved it. We were a part of the 12 special witnesses of Gladys Knight. Okay, that wasn't the official title for us, but we were joking around because they kept calling us "the 12". The official title I guess was the assisting 12.  Because we were assisting with things, we were able to watch all 4 sessions. We also were the front runners on getting energy and excitement into the fireside. Seriously, the music and testimonies were powerful and awesome. Incredible, simply incredible. I dead serious wish we had more of that kind of music in the church, like in firesides every so often or something; I'm not saying in sacrament meeting since that is centered around the ordinance, but it was awesome to break all the "Mormon culture." The missionaries, at personal request from the choir, sparked the crowd. I was a whoopin and a hollerin' and a'clappin' away. Finally, by the last fireside, we got tons of people standing up and clapping and swaying and singing along. I think one of the songs was called, Smile, or something, you might be able to look it up or something, but the talent was absolutely incredible. Gladys obviously was amazing, but some of the soloists were astounding. I wish I could accurately describe to you just how memorable of an experience this was. The testimonies were also super powerful. Bro. McDowell, Gladys' husband, bore his testimony of the church and how it is Christ's church and I can't explain to you in words how amazingly perfect and powerful it was. I think it may be experiences similar to this one and probably greater that the prophets are referring to when they say tongue cannot speak, neither can it be written what occurred at 'x' event or that so-en-so said. Bro. McDowell was raised in western North Carolina by strong Baptist grand parents so he was able to relate to the people at the fireside so well. Everything was the perfect combination of energy, humor, boldness, love, and the spirit. We received upwards 300 request cards from people for the missionaries to come by and deliver a sampler CD, a restoration DVD, and a Book of Mormon.  So many people absolutely loved it; I hope they sincerely look into the veracity of this church because I know that anyone and everyone who does so with sincerity and true, pure intentions will know that this church is nothing more than fulfillment of true biblical prophecies, nothing more than Christ not lying and him doing what he said he would do, simply a place for all seekers of truth and lovers of God and Christ to unite. They also emphasized that as they do so, they bring with them their unique and enriching-to-everyone culture.  It was incredible.  And we should all embrace it.  Even though I saw it 4 times, it never got old, and Gladys and everyone said everything from the heart.  It wasn't just a memorized speech that they give because someone told them to.  They do it all because they love love LOVE their Savior so much.  Gladys loves the Lord.  No doubt about that.  At times, it even felt like a pep rally :)  Hoorah for Jesus! :)

Other than that, I really don't have anything else to say.  Seriously, I'm boring.  

Oh, the other part of our assisting responsibilities was while everyone was waiting in line, we just walked around talking with people, helping them feel welcome.  We connected with people, helped them have good, positive experiences with missionaries, handed out the brochures that had the request cards in the back.  I got people water since it was hot standing in the sun.  It was a blast.  I absolutely loved it.  I love people.  Have I ever told you that?  I absolutely love people.  I love culture (real culture, not Mormon culture).  I talked for about 15 or so minutes with this one African American lady and she was the best.  She has had so many incredible experiences.  She works in a prison for women, and I guarantee you that she has such a powerful impact on them because of how loving and sincere of a person she is.  I just love the culture of the south in so many ways.  So many good people, and I'll tell you what, if it weren't for the fact that this is Christ's restored original church, I would be a member at some down-to-earth, African American spirituals church.  I want to build friendships with people of all cultures, races, religions, everything.  PEOPLE.......ARE.....AWESOME!!!!! Seriously, God's best creation ever :)

I love y'all tons.  Nothing new there...

Love,

Elder Thornton #1 

Week 96

Mi Familia

April 23, 2014 at 2:38 PM

Hey family, 

Life's good, as usual.  I'm growing a lot, which is always good.  I'm glad that you'll be able to go to DJ's graduation and that they didn't end up selecting you for the jury, Dad.  For the record, we did have a dinner.  It was deliciously delicious.  Easter was good overall.  I love that Because of Him video.  So good.  I thought the roach story was funny, by the way.  One of these days when there is actually a real threat, everyone is going to think a cockroach is the source of the scream. :)  

So, what else. oh yeah, I haven't really told you anything yet...so what else = everything else.

Well...I seemingly have forgotten everything that happened last week.  What a shame.

So, last week, I went back down to Hope Mills on exchange and was able to see some of the people we had found/were teaching before I left.  It was good :) We had one lesson where we had 9 investigators/non-members and 1 less-active member there.  It was a part of the Helgenberger family, the Micronesian family.  I seriously love the Micronesian people.  Someday I'd like to visit, Pohnpei, that's the specific island all these families here are from.  On exchange as well, one of our appointments fell through and we saw these 3 guys playing basketball in their driveway, so we went over and asked if we could play with them.  We played a little 21 with them, and asked them about Easter, religion, their lives, etc.  It was really fun, and we showed them some of our secret proselyting close basketball moves on the court ;) they were semi impressed in our white shirts and ties and dress shoes, but afterwards, we were able to share a message with them from the Book of Mormon.  At the end, the mother/wife brought us out some ice water.  We were able to give about 5 copies of the Book of Mormon away to this family and set up a return appointment with them to come by and share our message.  

I've really been learning a lot about validating people and relating to them these past couple of transfers.  It's been good.  

We had a miracle happen on Saturday.  I wrote in a letter to my mission president, so I'll just copy and paste it for time's sake.  

This week has been a really great week. I love teaching with you and Sister Bernhisel at the First Transfer Training Meetings. They were really good as usual. Additionally, we saw some great miracles this week. For one, we have been really striving to find some less actives that are receptive to us in our area, and it has been a struggle. After about 2 months, we still hadn't really had any success in meeting a less active on the roster that was willing to even talk with us and let us in. However, this week, we went by one of the final few less actives in our area that we haven't already met and at first, she conveyed the attitude of "oh, y'all found me again. How did you get my information?" We asked if we could share an Easter message with their family, it being the day before Easter. We wanted to share with them the Because of Him video, but she adamantly refused saying that she didn't want any videos. She had no desire to return to the church. However, my companion was amazingly bold with her and lovingly and enthusiastically told her that it would be the best 3 minutes in front of a screen she would ever spend . . . and we persisted. Finally, she decided to go in and ask her non-member husband, and amazingly, they consented. We were able to go in and share the Because of Him video with this member, her non-member husband, and her non-member daughter. The spirit was definitely present, and we had a beautiful discussion about Easter and our Savior. The Spirit led her to open up her heart some, and she explained some of why she is Less-Active and he asked some questions about Joseph Smith. So, what started as a "no way, I don't want you coming in and sharing a message" ended with them saying that we are always welcome to stop by. It was a powerful testimony and witness of what demonstrating Christ-like Love to everyone.

I've been learning a ton about what it truly means to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have seriously learned so much here in Falls Lake.  It definitely hasn't been easy, but my accountability to the Lord and my dedication prevents me from ever giving up or throwing in the towel, and it's after these moments/hours/days/weeks that we see the miracles and evidences of our faith.  By the way, if you want an amazing talk to read, read "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by Elder Gene R. Cook.  Sooo good.  I read it again this morning and I absolutely love love love that talk.  

So, Sunday was also Elder Curtis's last Sunday in our ward because we have the Gladys Knight fireside this weekend on Saturday and Sunday and then next weekend is a special stake conference with Elder L. Tom Perry coming :)  That's exciting :)  

So, do I have a miracle story for you.  And this goes along with our exercising faith discussion. Sometimes, on our way home at the end of the night, Elder Curtis likes to get a Coke from McDonald's.  When we go through the drive thru, we always talk with the people there and try to at least give them cards and invite them to go to the website.  Well, with this young man when we saw him at the drive thru, we asked him if he had visited the website on the card, and he had.  He said he really liked it and that it is a better place than where he is right now.  He then proceeded to point out through the drive thru window and said something like "you know that Starbucks down there, I would like to meet y'all there sometime."  Nothing short of a miracle...seriously.  So, to continue the story, we met with him Monday night.  I already love this young man so much.  I can see so much eternal potential in him, it's amazing.  The lesson was definitely one of the best lessons that either Elder Curtis or I have had our entire missions.  I would say it was in my top 3 best lessons for sure, especially for first lessons.  We asked inspired questions, used the Book of Mormon, followed the spirit, and invited him to be baptized and prepare for the 27 of May.  He wholeheartedly accepted.  We listened to his needs and concerns and taught him accordingly.  We showed him genuine Christlike love.  It was powerful.  After about 10 minutes of conversation, he really opened up to us even though in a worldly sense, he really didn't know us that well, but he said he trusted us and shared with us some personal things.  Why? It's not because of us, but because of the spirit we are sent with and the One we represent -- Jesus Christ.  I love this work, His work.  Nothing is better than this. and it's nights like this one that remind me why I absolutely love being a full time representative of Jesus Christ, and it reminds me of why I endure the trials and the difficulties...because in the end, it will all be worth it :)  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it truly changes lives, and it is the only thing that provides lasting and encompassing peace and happiness.  Please include him in your prayers, that he may know that this is all true, what we share, and that he will be protected from the influence of those that would do him ill.  

Well, I think that about sums it up for this past week.  Things are going well and fast.  but what else is new.

Love,

Elder Thornton #1

Week 95

tornados EVERYWHERE!!!

Apr 16, 2014 at 11:54 AM

So, that's a lie, but there were some green clouds yesterday.  I thought we were gonna see some tornadoes for sure, but alas...there were none as far as I know.  

So, before I forget...I did get the postcard from Todd.  I also got a letter from Grandma and 94 from mom.

I hope Jury duty goes well for you, Dad.  Should be fun ;)  

For my mother's sake, the cut on my leg is good now.  It had looked a little inflamed at first so I put some neosporin on it, and Viola!  magic. :)  

Oh also, definitely push this Easter "Because of Him" thing...we've only got a week to do it, so Hizzah!!!

Still working on the sealing date.  I heard back from him and he said that they're going to try and pick a day and let me know asap.  

Now, what to tell you.  Let's see...So have I ever mentioned that I don't know what I've told you and when things happen.  So, here goes.  We went to the temple last week.  That was really good.  as usual.  I think it'd be intense to have church next to the temple.  That would be a different experience bringing investigators to church.  "So, yeah, here's our church building and, oh yeah, that's the house of the Lord...isn't it beautiful.  Now, would you like to join our church?"  I could imagine a conversation going down like that...

We also had the activity day zone conferences.  Those were really good.  We got to watch a clip of Miracle on Ice during President's instruction.  Hey, here's a random thought, have I ever told you how ridiculously tired I am.  I know I've been perpetually tired my entire-d (did you see what I did there??) mission, but recently, I just feel even more exhausted.  Who Knows...Okay, back to the story, we also sung the Preacher and the Bear with our Mission President afterwards...that was fun.  I'll tell you something else, the zone conferences are a lot different when you're the one that has to make sure that everything runs smoothly...it's different when all you do is show up, enjoy a ton of delicious instruction that you didn't have to prepare for, minus spiritually, run around playing for 3 hours until people blow the whistle and tell you to rotate, and then go home calling it a good day.  That versus, having to be there early, set things up, make sure all the technology runs right, give demonstrations, ensure that everyone's having fun, be the one to run the activities and tell people to rotate.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this in an effort to complain at all.   I love being on the leadership and administrative ends of things, but it just gave me a different perspective.  It helped me appreciate others more when I am the one that just has to show up :)  I went on exchange to the Spanish ward again on Friday.  That was fun.  Practiced my Spanish a little bit.  

Yesterday, we had a 1st transfer missionary and their trainers training meeting.  That was really good.  

Well, I want to get y'all some pics, so that's all you get.

Love yous a ton.

Elder Patty

Week 94

Monday April 7, 2014

Hey family,

Life has been good overall.  Chris's ankle looks Nasty.  True story. 

So, last Thursday, we had the amazing opportunity to go mountain biking with President Bernhisel.  Just Elder Curtis and myself.  It was awesome.  President is in ridiculously good shape.  I did pretty well and only crashed a couple of times.  Seriously though, some of these drops where like 8 feet straight down almost . . . in other words if you weren't on a bike, you wouldn't be walking up this path, you'd be climbing . . . like up a wall.  I thought I was about to die (not really, but close) a couple of times, but somehow my bike tires managed to stay on the trail just when I thought I was about to go careening into a ton of trees.  At the very beginning, (remember, this is my first time mountain biking) I did what they call an Endo.  Yeah, I hit the brakes too hard on a hill and I went supermanning into the dirt.  Not too bad of a crash though, but I do have a nice 6 inch cut on my calf that I took a picture of and will get to you sometime.  It was super fun though.  I also got to borrow President's bike since mine is a disaster.  

That night, we had dinner at President and Sister Bernhisel's home, and then President came out proselyting with us.  We had a lesson with our Relief Society President and her husband first, which went really well.  It was definitely a good lesson plan.  Then, afterwards, she directed us to 2 of her neighbors that we went and talked to with President.  Neither was interested, but it was really good.  I love President Bernhisel.  I will definitely be visiting him in Florida someday.  He and Sister Bernhisel are the best.  Sis. Bernhisel is just so full of love for everyone.  Even when she's upset with someone or slightly rebuking someone, she is so amazingly loving; it's actually kind of funny sometimes.  

This week, I also went on exchange down to the Raleigh YSA ward in Apex.  It was great.  I never served in a YSA ward so it was a good experience.  The missionary I was with is a really good, hard-working missionary.  They are the zone leaders in Apex.  That night, we went to the YSA's capture the flag bonfire activity where we gave a devotional about spiritual fire and how we can keep our fires burning bright.  One of their investigators also came and had a good time.  It was great.  

Conference was great as usual.  I love President Monson's talk on love.  I thought Love was a heavy theme this conference, and his talk is something that I would like to study more in depth because I think I will really benefit from doing so.  Elder Nelson and Elder Scott were also very good.   I really liked the Bishop's talk about the Olympic medalists that were LDS.  That was really good.  Quick story: we missed most of Elder Holland's and all of President Rasband's talk because as were sitting in the chapel, I heard this faint voice calling out Hello or something, and I thought that someone was locked out and trying to get in.  This was when I was in Cary still, which is near Apex.  We go out into the hall to investigate and we see this older lady who is slightly frantic and desperate.  Apparently, she was trying to get up into Wake Forest to go to her daughter's house but got lost and couldn't find the beltway, and she happened to turn down the church's road and saw cars outside, so she turned in hoping to find someone that could help her.  She wasn't LDS.  Anyways, we got our GPS and helped her find where she needed to go, giving her turn by turn directions on a piece of paper with our number and such.  She said that she is the believer in her family and that she tries to help her family out faith-wise.  I asked her if we could share our message with her, but she said that she would have to think about it, but I hope that she gives us a call.  She was so thankful and appreciative of us "fine young gentlemen."  I love serving others.  and I figure that the Lord would probably have had us in the hallway of the church ministering to one of God's daughters in need over sitting in the pews listening to the apostles speak of ministering to others, so I think we we're justified in missing part of conference.  (I'll catch it later :) )

So, this week is going to be crazy busy, but great!  We have activity zone conferences in Wilmington and Chapel Hill on Tuesday and Wednesday.  We are heading down to Wilmington tonight, and we are going to go proselyting with a couple sets of Elders this evening.  Then on Friday, we get to go to the temple!! :)  I love the temple.  and something that I've found is that our temple trips always come up right when I need that direction and peace the most.  Ah, the temple.  One of my favorite lines that the spirit really brought to my heart with great power was when President Monson said that we are a temple-building and temple-attending people.  I think that that was a surreptitious rebuke/command from the Lord's prophet to us that we need to be attending the temple more regularly.  Right now, I'm kind of limited on that, but I promise to myself with y'all as witnesses that I will make temple attendance and worship a regular and frequent occurrence when the opportunity arises :)

Well, I think that is it.  I can't think of anything else to say.  I did get a letter from grams.  

Thanks for being the best family in the world!! Seriously though, I'm not kidding.

Love,

Elder Thornton #1

Week 93

 I'm finally Trunkie!!!! :)

Apr 1, 2014 at 12:28 PM

Hey family,

Just in case you were wondering, that subject line was totally an APRIL FOOLS JOKE!!! hahahahahahahahahaha. Gotcha!  Who do you think I am?? 

Anyways, life's good.  

First off, I want to mention and make serious note of the fact of how grateful I am to you, mother, for getting all my class stuff figured out.  Thanks so much, mom!!!! I love you so much, and I am so grateful for everything you do and every effort you make to help me stay dedicated and focused.  Everything's all good on this end.  (Honestly, too, I can't even remember what parameters I had left you...too long ago, sorry ;) )

So, last week, on Friday, which was part of the reason we didn't wait till Friday to email, we had our monthly Leadership Council.  It went really well.  Elder Curtis and I instructed on the principle of one by one and treating everyone like an individual, making them feel like they truly matter and that they are important; this also went along with achieving our baptism goal for the year.  We watched this clip by Elder Bednar, which was absolutely fantastic, (which is obvious since it was Elder Bednar).  Good stuff.  The Role Play we did was super powerful as well.  The spirit was definitely there.  We had the missionaries role play with their companions and one of them was the missionary while the other one role played as the other missionary's friend or family member that is either not a member or less active.  This was the missionary's last opportunity to speak with the family member or friend, and they needed to help that individual feel loved as an individual as well as to understand the vitality of the message of Christ's restored gospel.  Then afterwards, we related that experience to how the conversations we have with people here in North Carolina need to take on a more individualistic personality.  The people that we talk with are our brothers and sisters who are without the Gospel.  Oftentimes we treat the situations here too complacently; every individual matters to God, and thus, they should to us as well. The Mission goal is to have 894 conversions take place this year, but that's not going to happen because we walk outside our apartment one day and meet a crazy prepared throng of 894 people...it's going to happen how?? One by one. 

Sounds like things are going great in the 5th ward. I would expect nothing less with such a great bishop leading out :)  and such great ward members.

No, we didn't have any investigators at church on Sunday.  Sadly.  Hopefully, next week though, we should have at least 2...we'll see though.  

Played some basketball yesterday.  That felt good.  I love basketball.  

Still busy.  Still working on finding some prepared people to teach.  Hard to believe it's April.  I would really like to see a baptism take place here in Falls Lake before I leave.  I know it can happen.  The Lord can do amazing things.  I just strive to continue exercising my faith in talking with everyone and knocking one more door, going one more step, traveling the extra mile even when it's hard.  Amidst it all, I just hope that I change for the better and become more of the person Father needs me to be, that in turn, I desire to be since ultimately, the goal is for His will to be my will.  That's all I really have that I can give; and that's all He really wants for once our wills are aligned, we will be like Him.  

Not much else to say . . . Thanks for all you do.  I love y'all so much.  You have got to be seriously the best family in the world.  I received, btw, 92 and one from grams.  Until next week, 

Love,

Elder Thornton

ps. next week, emailing may not be until Thusday since we have activity zone conferences on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Should be a blast though :)