Week 102

All is well in Zion...

Jun 4, 2014 at 3:23 PM

for some reason I feel that we are encouraged not to use that phrase...I think Nephi has a little something something to say about that :)  makes me wonder how it got put in Come Come Ye Saints.  Seems suspicious ;)

Anyways...

Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and for you Spanish folk, iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHola!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

for the update on me, I'm fine.  Everything is healing up just peachy.  Thanks for the concern :)  Tis much appreciated.  

So on Sunday, we had an incognito stake priesthood meeting that nobody knew about until they announced at church, and then even then, no one still knew what was going on.  We asked a high councilor about it on Monday, and he only found out about it that Monday.  Crazy stuff, so we almost went, but then didn't, but during the time it was going on, we saw some great miracles.  We saw this miraculous change occur in someone.  Elder Graham with his ever vigilant senses, saw this lady on a porch as we were trying to knock on a neighbor’s door, so we went over to talk with her as we left the neighbor and she was semi-frustratedly stuffing stuff (ooooh, good diction, Elder Thornton) into a backpack.  We started talking with her and she quickly expressed to us that she was very busy and had to go in and cook dinner (it being about 7:30).  Needless to say, we kept talking with her.  She told us that she was going through a hard time as her husband had informed her a week ago that he wanted a divorce and apparently the laws in North Carolina stink for getting a divorce.  Elder Graham, being the ridiculously good missionary that he is, opened up to Helaman 5:12, and asked if we could share a scripture with her that he thought she would like and appreciate.  We asked if she would read it.  She consented, and proceeded to read it in her head, (not exactly what we were going for, but better than nothing) and then walked over to her backpack where she started pulling out her phone to take a picture of that verse.  We told her, obviously, that she could keep the book, and she was super excited and grateful.  She said she really liked that scripture.  After sharing that scripture and allowing the Book of Mormon to be the ultimate teacher along with the spirit, the entire tone of the conversation changed.  We had her smiling and laughing, which was a huge change from the despondent aura she carried at the beginning.  By the end of this 30-40 minute conversation, she was telling us that she would love for us to come back and share more about the Book of Mormon and she would love to have us for dinner! :)  Such an incredible change of heart we witnessed through the power of the Book of Mormon...NEVER ever ever underestimate the power and impact of the Book of Mormon.  It can and will change people's lives.  :)  Fact.  She even called down her 20 year old son from the house to come and meet us.  He said he was busy making a bowl of cereal but eventually he consented to come meet his mom's new found Mormon friends :)  Good stuff for sure :)

Here's a super hilarious definition for you that Elder Graham accidentally humorously paraphrased from our neighbor with whom he was talking. 

Affluent:  When people are comfortable even though their lives are terrible :)  hahahahaha.  I thinks this is so funnies.

I bore my testimony on Sunday.  People said it was good; although honestly, I can't really remember much of what I said, but I do know that it was centered on Christ.  BTW, we had a good testimony meeting on Sunday...too bad we didn't have any investigators there, but there was a part member family.  

We instructed last Friday in our Mission Leadership Council and that went well.  Then on Tuesday, we had our first transfer training meeting for the newest missionaries and their trainers and that went really well.  And then today, our Zone Leaders asked us to give our instruction from Friday again, but this time to the Raleigh Zone, and that went well as well.  Side note: you sure give a lot of testimonies at the conclusion of a mission.  

Over the next couple weeks, we have about 5 exchanges or so, a mission tour with Elder Corbridge, and also, exciting news, Sister Edwards, the convert from Southport, will be going to the temple to make special covenants with Father next week as well!  I am so glad that it is before I leave.  I love that lady :)

I received a letter from Grams and also 101 from mom; however, I have not yet read 101.  I will have to wait until next week :)  

We are seeing some good excitement with our ward members for missionary work.  Hopefully, it continues to grow.  Oh, and I also received DJ's email letter.  Seriously though, missionary work aka helping my brothers and sisters experience the blessings of Christ's complete Gospel, runs in my blood now.  I love it.

And I love y'all too :)

Love,

Elder Thornton