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.