Long time no write!

Sorry for not having written in a long time, I really don't have much time, as alot of you missionaries and ex-missionaries will understand. I am doing good, and in a town called Tejupilco, if you want to google it. I love being a missionary. This last week especially was really great, and I got to see several people begin to grow their testimony. I discovered that the number one most important thing to have is a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I understand now at least a little more how important the Book of Mormon is. If you have never read the Book of Mormon, I challenge you to read it. If you have read it, read it again. It's the best book ever written, and I can testify that you will come closer to Christ by reading it, and be able to feel the peace and assurance that the spirit brings. I cannot express in words, with what little time I have, my newfound love for this little blue book.

Apart from that, this is the hottest part of the mission, where I am. It's about 30°C every day. That's really hot. So naturally, I wear long sleeve shirts. Because sunburns are a bummer. My new companion (because changes were today,) is from peru, Elder Espinoza. Fun fact: My last name, Thornley, more or less translates to Espinoza. We're basically Brothers! (except for the difference in skin color, eye color, hair color, language, and the lack of any actual biological relationship.)

I got to Skype my family yesterday! It was really fun to be able to talk with them and find out about the million things that have happened since I left. I also got to talk with my sister M'kaaylie who is getting married in a month; and my Grandpa who is dying of cancer, among other things. It was a really good day yesterday.

Well, That's all the time I have. Read the Book of Mormon, and love your families.

Until next time,

Elder Thornley

So Sorry! No mail this week!

I'm super sorry, but I dont have nearly enough time this week to write, maybe next week! Until then, Jesus loves you. 

Hasta Luego,

Elder Thornley

The best of times, and the worst of times.

What a week! Elder Cortes (AKA: my companion) has been sick for the past week with a throat infection, so we've had to stay home a couple of times on orders from the Mission Presidents Wife. E' Cortes has had 4 shots for his infection, administered by Elder Gomez, who is trained to do that kind of thing, and is doing better now. On thursday, I had terrible allergies, and was sneezing the whole day. But not just sneezing, more like a gunshot from my sinusses. Really loud, and really painful. These have not been the best days of my mission so far, but at the same time, these have been the best days of my mission. We have an hour to study in the mornings, and I have learned so much, and feel the spirit so strongly. I am growing so much sloser to my companion, and loving this mission thing more and more. 

This week has been a peanut butter and jelly week. I bought a jar of each, and bread, and tortillas, and had at least 2 or three sandwhiches or tortillas every day. Best meal in the world. 

I'm a 12th of the way through my mission already. Thats weird to think about. I feel like the MTC was only a week long, and I feel like I just got here. Oh well, I'm getting the hang of it, and hopefully by month 12 I know what Im doing. 

Spiritual thought: Charity is the most important thing we can have. Im 1 Chorinthians 13, it explains how important it is to have charity. No matter how much faith you have, how spiritually powerful you are, or how powerfully you can preach the gospel, none or it matters unless you have charity, and love everyone as Christ did.

Fun scripture fact: In the scriptures, they always talk about how faith can literally move mountains, but it never gives an account of this happening. But it did happen, right after the Tower of Babel incedent. The actual event isnt recorded anywhere, but its referenced in the BoM somewhere around Ether when it talks about the brother of Jared. 

Thats my entry for the week, so until next time, 

Elder Thornley

Bienvenido Mexico!

Wow! Im for real in Mexico finally! After 6 terrific weeks in the MTC Im finally in the big leagues now. Im beyond excited! However, I cant speak the language, which is making things exciting. But I know I'll survive somehow, if not by the grace of God. We don't have many, if any at all, investigators, but we're getting through it. My companion is Elder Cortes, from Cancun Mexico. Viva la Fiesta!

This last week was hectic if nothing else. First, I was at the mercy of Moctezumas revenge for a few days, but Once that passed, I felt much better. I had my First 2 baptisms by a series of more or less fortunate events. They werent my investigators, or even in my area. It was a mother and daughter I baptized. The daughter, who's about 11 or 12, when asked who she wanted to baptize her said the Guapito Guerrito, or handsome white boy. Well, Im flattered! so I was lined up to baptise her, and Elder Cortes her mom, but unfortunately, Elder Cortes got a throat infection the day before, so I had the opportunity to baptize the mother as well. It was really spiritual. I could tell because I was tired the rest of the day, and according to a saying I once heard, The spirit makes women cry, and men tired. So I was pretty overcome.

My area, Maravatio, is the only area in my mission to have bikes, so Im having a great time. Ive been to other missions, and I can see why they dont have bikes, the streets are basically vertical! Crazy.

Again, I apologize that I cant write alot of you personally, but Mission rules are rules, and as I heard on my first day, Obedience brings blessings, but Exact obedience brings miracles, and we definately need miracles here.

Well, thats pretty much all the time I have for now, but I look forward to hearing from you, (if you dont mind too much) and I hope you're all doing well.

Elder Thornley

Big apology

I am really sad to say that I cannot email anyone of the opposite gender directly. It makes me very sad. I also dont have as much time as i like to write, so nothing for this week.

Much sorryness,

Elder Thornley

Last Week in the MTC

So I only have a few days left in the MTC. It might be 4, but who's counting? I leave Monday morning for Georgia, then after a 3 hour layover, we make our way down to Mexico, which I am ridiculously excited for. After 5 weeks of MTC cramming style learning I'm ready for immersion. I hope. 

My first week here, my companion and I found an investigator walking around and have been teaching her since then. Yesterday, after teaching the Commandments, she told us she couldn't get baptized. When we asked why, she said it's because she's been lying to us, and that she's not only a member, but an RM. So we were a little heartbroken, but personally I was grateful for the honest practice. It's funny because when we first started teaching her, we asked ourselves everyday, "Do you think she's a real investigator, or not?" every day and every night, and eventually we decided that she was for real. Oh how wrong we were. What a place the MTC, where everyone is a member, even the investigators. (But not all of them, so never assume that they are.)

My companion is a Samoan (from Alaska), in case you didn't know that, and his mom is way too generous. She got us all Lava Lavas, and sent us a pound of smoked salmon, reindeer sausages, and beef jerkey. We don't know how we'll eat all of that, considering we have about 5 pounds of candy already, so the younger district in our zone is inheriting the mother load of MTC food. I have gained about 10 lbs since being in the MTC, but I still fit all of my pants, so I think I'm in good shape for now. Thank you daily gym time. I'm amazingly good at basketball now, but my true talent lies in four square. I think I'll join a league when I get back. We'll see. I'm super excited for Mexican food though. That's where I'll pack on the pounds. I need to be careful with that, or I'll come back weighing 200 lbs. Not that I'd be complaining, I've always secretly wanted to be fat, just to know what it's like.

That's all for the week. If you ever want to email me, I promise to write back. My email is walker.thornley@myldsmail.net.

Hasta luego,

Elder Thornley

Final Stretch of the MTC

     Only one and a half weeks left in the MTC, then it's on to Mexico, where the Investigators are real, and the Coke has Caffeine. (not that I'll drink it anyway.) It's crazy how fast four weeks has flown by, but really exciting too. I want to teach people, and see that change in their lives. Since I've been here I've had the opportunity to teach two real people, both real investigators. It's amazing to see the change that having the Gospel as a part of their lives can make. Both are planning to get baptized sometime in the spring, so sadly, I won't be able to be there for it. MTC missionaries can't baptize, did you know that? I didn't, and I was super bummed when I found out. I want to be a real missionary with real people with real questions and concerns. I guess the MTC is a necessary part of that process though. Regardless, it'll be worth the wait. I feel so much more spiritually mature, got a few more spiritual hairs on my chest, you know?
     I think I like Spanish better than English in terms of making sense. It's all just so connected, and you can really say what you mean with a simple word change. But I still think English is my better language. It could be that I'm native, but I feel like there's more opportunity in English to speak with power and eloquence. I can't wait until I can really say what I want to in Spanish, and not get laughed at. They say you need to make on average 100,000 mistakes before you learn a language proficiently, so the more you mess up, the faster you learn. It reminds me of Ether 12:27, where it says that God gives us weakness to make us humble, but if we turn to Him for help, he will make our weak things become strong. That speaks a lot to me. I thought I was prepared for a mission, but then I get out here, and realize that I am nothing, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength [and my knowledge] I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." (Alma 26:12, words added.) <-- Straight up MLA swag.

     Well, time is short, so I'll leave you with this. God loves you. Yes, this may be a mass e-mail, but God really does love you, and he knows what you need more than anyone. Not only can he help you, but he wants desperately to help you. All you need to do is ask in faith, and he will "...open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Sincerely,
~Elder Thornley.