July 29, 2013

Hey Thorne Fam!

Mom, I got all the letters today! Thank you so much! Each thing all the family said meant so much to me. From your huge 8 pg letter to little Baby Sam's scribbles. :) You burned yourself??? MOM! Goodness gracious. I thought I told you to be safe. A certain incident with a tramp and a flip and a hyper extended knee comes to mind. ;) haha Love you mom. But yes, please be safe!

I also received letters this week from Keilee (a huge hilarious letter with pics of her and Jack Sparrow going on many fun adventures together. Made my day!), from Grandma Kathy (I always look forward to her letters. They always spiritually uplift me and bring a smile to my face.) And then a surprise one from the Cronk's! Please thank them profusely for the letter. They also sent $20 and it was an answer to a prayer. I am actually looking at buying a bike today (For real this time). The one I'm looking at is $200 and absolutely beatiful. Hey mom, do you think you could get me one of those bike helmets from the fire station you were telling me about and send it to me? That would be awesome if it's a possibility.

Daddy, it was so good to hear from you! I love you so much! Brother Curry keeps me updated on how the fam is doing. He showed me that he had called y'all. (I wouldn't believe him until he showed me the call history on his phone). It's so weird to think about. haha like my past life and my mission life are coming together. Who knows what may happen??? haha :D But he really is an amazing WML. He is so sweet and encourages us to do better each day. We never cease to make him proud and that means the world to us. I love and respect him a lot. His family is amazing as well! Sister Curry has already been adopted as my mom for the Morehead area. I'm sure you've seen all their kids on fb. I love Natalie. She's a sweetheart and little Emma is quickly becoming one of my little buddies. :)

What do you mean by break in my new room? It still looks good right? *suspicious* haha :) I trust her. :)

I can't wait to hear about the 1D concert! I am eagerly awaiting news and pics of it!

Jaden Roskelley has his farwell!!! My grandson?!?!?!?! Oh my goodness! Time is flying by so fast! He's just growing up so quickly. ;) Did you happen to get any pictures with him? I would love to see him. Wish him luck for me please.

I also love How Firm a Foundation. It holds a special place in my heart as it makes me think of Isaiah 41:10 which is the scripture mom put for Grammy's b-day on my calendar. That scripture and accompanying song have become some of my favorites.

Now for news from this week!

I have missed Jasper this week. I talk about my family there all the time. I have Syd's picture she gave me on my dresser along with the jar Sister Hughlett made me sitting on my studying desk. They are all in my heart and prayers but I know that Morehead is where I am supposed to be right now and I am already learning ot love it dearly.

Morehead, KY is nice, cool and beautiful. Fall is starting to settle in and the mornings are acutally chilly. I love it here and it feels like I'm living up in the mountains. I went from the flat corn fields of Southern Indiana to the beautiful mountains of Eastern Kentucky. There is a huge difference between here and Indiana. Much heavier accents and many more y'alls. I LOVE IT! The mountains are probably my fav though. It feels like home. I already love this area with all my heart and we've only been here 1 week! I'm now companions with Sister Saunders. She is 20, from North Ogden, UT, and also loves music! She played viola and has such a sweet tender heart. I love her to death already. :)

We have spent most of this week organizing. Mapping our area out (me and my stubborn self refuse to give in and use a GPS. I will find my way around with maps). Finding out where all the members and Less Actives are and then trying to figure out a time to visit them all. We are really trying to build the excitement in the ward. Things are moving. Baby step by baby step. This is going to be an amazing area. There is so much potential here! This transfer is going to be amazing.

Well, love y'all! Talk to you next week! 

Sister Thorne

July 22, 2013

Hey Thorne Fam!

What a crazy week! Oh my goodness! So many ups and downs, it's a wonder I don't feel motion sick! But it has definitely all been worth it. I am learning to love my mission. :)

The baptism went amazingly! Macy and Olivia were both so beautiful. They looked like angels in their white jumpsuits. Even Gene commented on it. Macy started crying during the closing song of I am a Child of God. I asked her why and she said, "I don't know! I'm just so happy! I usually don't cry!" It truly touched my heart. She is so sweet and innocent and she already has a great desire to be a missionary. I know that Gene was very touched by everything and especially on Sunday as they received the Holy Ghost and that he is anxiously waiting for his day to come. 12 more weeks. :)

As for other investigators: Kent was supposed to come to the baptism but skipped out at the last minute. He said he was sick, but my gut feeling was that he just didn't want to go.... I'm very worried for him. He has never been married or had kids so I think that he is scared of commitment. That's why he doesn't want to set a date for his baptism. It makes a lot of sense from that light.... But I have full confidence that Sister Pack and Davidson will be able to follow the spirit and discern his needs.

The only others would be Sara, Alan, Michaella and Alexis. We have not met with any of them much this week as we were preparing for Saturday. But I know that Sister Pack has dates set up to meet with each of them in the coming week. So I have no worries on that front. 

As for myself: I am being transferred to Morehead, Kentucky!!! It is the most Eastern Area of the mission. So I'm going from the most Northern area of the mission, Jasper to the most Eastern. haha It must be a show of trust that President doesn't have to keep a close eye on me. ;) I don't yet know an address. I will know that next Monday. So for now I would suggest sending everything to the mission home address. If you sent anything there, I can pick it all up when I am in Louisville on Tuesday. Otherwise, just send it there and I'll most likely get it this weekend after they forward it to me.

Fun facts about Morehead that I've learned from the people in Jasper: It's in Kentucky (people in Indiana are not big fan of Kenuckians. haha) It's very east so it is nearer to the Appalachian Mountains so it may be a big cooler. YAY! Since this next transfer will contain all of August: the hottest month. There is a Morehead State University (might be college idk) there. There are a ton of college girls so that's why they transferred the Elders out (oh ya! By the way, I'm whitewashing the area which means they are taking all the Elders out and putting Sisters in) And Finally, it's in Bluegrass territory which means it's supposed to be absolutely stunning. :) I really look forward to getting to know the ward there. :)

But I'm not gonna lie. I have felt very nervous for this coming week. I have felt my heart breaking over the past 2 days as I have had to say goodbye to all of the family that I have made here. My moms: Sister Hughlett, and Des. My sisters: Sister Bland, Sister Lemond, Sydnee, Bre and Sister Scott. My grandparents: Brother and Sister Braedon. My brothers: Brother Bland, Brother Lemond, Brother Scott, Elder Larson and Elder Seal. It has been so hard and I feel sick to my stomach a lot. And then I think about this week and that I will be with someone new, starting somewhere new, and have to learn many things new. It's very intimidating. But as I was thinking of this I then thought of 2 Nephi 4, Nephi's Lament. Just as he is sinking into despair, he says, "But I know in whom I have trusted." Many things may be new, but I will be sharing the same gospel, following the same spirit and trusting the same Savior. As I think of that, all of my fears melt away and they are replaced by faith. I am truly trying to lay all on the altar and then lose myself in the glory of salvation. This coming transfer is going to be good. I can feel it.

So instead of being nervous, I am instead thankful for this opportunity to grow. That is exactly what all these mountains I have had to climb have been. Opportunities to grow and become more like my Savior. What a beautiful blessing it is to "stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest life this world has ever known" as Elder Holland says. I am very excited to see what adventures my Savior has in store for me next. :)

First off, I want to say a special thank you to Pop. I got a letter from both him and Nancy this week and as soon as I saw that it was from My Pop, I started crying. I know how much he doesn't like to write letters and so it meant so much to me to see that he had taken the time to tell me he was proud of me. :) And from my Grandma Nancy. I love her letters and they always brighten my day. :)

As for your letter: It looks like I had a lot of fun at Marsh! haha My head looks a little bit... smallish for my broad shoulders, but I love my missionary tag. :) Did I go down the "deer fort"? I look forward to your letter so I can understand more of what is going on in the pictures. It was good to see a pic of Tifenn. I MISS YOU!!!! It will be sad to have her leave this week, but I love her lots and she has many more adventures to go on. :)

Daddy: LOVE YOU!!!! Just so you know. :) And notice there are no "Dads" up there, because no one can even try to replace my Daddy.

Mum: Thank you for everything you have done for me. The emails, the letters, the pictures, the cut out, the words. It keeps me going. :) And notice that there are "Moms" up there, because there's no way I could survive without my Mum. :)

Brit: Still waiting for my letter...... You are going to start getting into trouble soon young lady. Plus, I think I saw more pics of Em than I did of you! What's up with that! A picture of Emma with Flat Shannah but not my Britney? Hmm.... you're starting to forget about me aren't you. I knew it! ;D haha nah. I love you Brits. :)

Mandy: *secret handshake* Congrats on giving a talk! I am so proud of you for getting involved with the YW. How is your calling going? Having any fun adventures? I saw that pic of the family on Ry and An's hill and I was like "Who is the gorgeous young woman at the right end of the picture? Wait... that's my Mandy!" You are growing up very very fast. And you are becoming a B-Dog (beautiful daughter of God).

Josh: So you spoke on Temples? What were some things you learned about them? I love you buddy. Keep doing what you're doing. I am so proud of you and I love you so much. :)

Brandon: How is my cutie doing? I love you so much! What have you been up to lately? Being good I hope. :D

I love you all!!!

Scripture of the transfer: Alma 26:12. Yea, I know that I am nothing. As to my strength, 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. :)

The Church is true. Live it, learn it, love it!

Love eternally,

Sister Thorne

July 15, 2013

Hey Thorne Family!

We have had such a fantastic week! Ever since a Training we had last week, we have really put a stress on involving members. We got 9 member present lessons this week! (The mission standard is 4) Which is amazing. It was so cool to work with members so much! They each have such a different and powerful testimony and they just need some encouragement to share it. If missionaries can encourage each member and ask them how we can help them, then the referrals start coming and once we contact those referrals and report back, they become excited to go out with us. What a wonderful lesson that I have been blessed to realize so early on in my mission. I will certainly implement it for the remainder of my mission.

As for our investigators: Gene, Macy, Olivia, Kent, Ashley, Sara and Alan

Gene, Macy and Olivia: As you know, the girls are getting baptized this Saturday. YAAAYYY!!!! I could shout for joy and praise in Hallelujah's! They are at their Grandmother's all week and will be coming back Friday and we will be pretty much in constant contact with them from that point on. We have also arranged for the Olney, IL sisters to go visit them this week. I believe tomorrow evening. (They are staying in Flora, IL which is in the Olney sister's area!) So that way we have contact with them at least once. Gene is moving along steadily and powerfully. He has been coming to member dinners with us and really starting to create those bonds of trust with them. He is going fishing with Brother Scott this week. I firmly believe that he will get baptized October 12th and he will be a strong member for life.

Kent: Kent is doing wonderfully. He hasn't set a date yet but he attended church for the first time Sunday. He was only able to attend the first hour on account of his pinkeye he got, but he still came. He said it was good but he's really looking to attending all 3 hours next Sunday when he can get more out of it and learn more. So that is good. He really has the desire. And he said he wants to be baptized, but wants to wait about 5-8 week so he can attend church at least that much.

Ashley: We may be dropping Ashley... she has the same problem as Jason. She is extremely learned and doesn't seem interested in praying. But she will read. So we will see this week.

Sara: Sara's an excommunicated member we just started teaching this week so I will have more to say on her next week.

Alan is the man we met playing horseshoes and we will be teaching our first lesson with him tonight so more next week as well.

As for me this week: I have been through one roller coaster! Oh my goodness! I was very broken down last Monday but as soon as I went to my Lord, He gave me the blessing and training I needed to build myself back up. Notice, He didn't do it for me. He just gave me the tools to do it for myself. On Tuesday we had an amazing training by the Zone Leaders about the "Vision to Baptize". I went into a room on my own to pray about the baptismal goal God would like me to set on my mission. But I ended up have a very amazing experience. It happened that I walked into the YW room. Immediately Mosiah 18:9 came to my head thanks to amazing YW leaders (THANKS LESLIE!) who had me quote that. I got out my BoM and read Mosiah 18:7-11. I would greatly challenge you to read it. I then started crying as I realized I wasn't giving the Lord ALL my time and efforts. So I got my journal out and made a promise to Him that I would start doing that. I would stop counting days, either up or down. I would stop focusing on what is going on at home aka Tifenn and Marsh. I would stop thinking about what would happen when I get home. I would completely lose myself and go to work 101%. I wrote it all down and signed and dated it. I feel that that was a moment that would define my mission. 

Then on Wendesday, we had a blitz with the Sister Training Leaders. Sister Mickleson spent the day with me and I learned so much from her. She is such an example to me. She again reinforced all I had learned the day before. Then on Thursday, I woke up feeling completely rejuvenated and ready to dive in. Basically loving each and every single day. And we had interviews with President. I found out that I am most likely (99%) being transferred out this next week. It's sad to hear, but I know in my heart that it is right. I've known since the beginning of this transfer (6 weeks ago) that this would be my last transfer in Jasper. And it will end with a baptism. :D I couldn't be happier. :)

As for your letter:

Yes, I have been putting more of myself into my exercises this past week. That has helped me a lot too.

We are still supposed to tract 5 hours a week but we usually don't.... we just have too many appointment! We have gotten like 5-7 referrals this week. Which is amazing. We're usually lucky if we get 3. So as stated before, they are getting involved. I LOVE JASPER! ]

Yes, we still have a car.

Sister Pack is doing amazingly. Her headaches are gone. Thank you for the prayers.

I'm glad you all had a good week and lots of fun. And I'm glad I finally have a cut out! I'm excited for pics next week!

I got letters this week from Grandpa Ralph, Aubrey and Ryan. I also got an email from Andra!!! Talk about making my day! It made me laugh out loud and made me so happy!

Have fun at Marsh! I'll talk to you next week! 

Love eternally, Sister Thorne

July 8, 2013

Sorry all. I had girls camp and 2 family reunions back to back and I'm playing catch up now. Thanks for your paitence. Shelly

Hey Thorne Fam!

This week has been both really long and really fast. It's a weird feeling for me.
As for our investigators: we have Kent, Gene, Macey, Olivia and Ashley.
Nikita and Magenta didn't want to visit with us anymore. I think Summer came and better plans came up. :(
Emma and Joanna we have had to drop. Their mom doesn't really approve of us coming around anymore. Very sad face. We don't really know what is going to happen there in the future but we have planted the seed and one day I know that things will work out.
We had a baptismal date with Kent for August 10th. But we had a lesson with him last night and he started the lesson with how he thinks he is moving too fast. He wants to cancel the date for now and slow down. I think the biggest reason for that is that he hasn't been to church yet. He wants to come to "way more than 3 services" he says before he even thinks about baptism. He is planning on coming this Sunday and Sister Pack and I are both praying that he will have an experience where he knows that this is where he needs to be and his fears about baptism will crumble. He does have a very solid testimony. We talked to him about that. So I think we will really see how things go after next Sunday.
Gene, Macey and Olivia are doing fantastically. They have now been to church twice and they love it. Everyone in the ward loves them and Macey and Olivia are actively involved in Primary and Activity Days. Olivia is actually the reverent child for next week and Macey was the super singer. Gene knows that this is true and they are all praying about being baptized on the 10th. Gene doesn't smoke or drink, the only concern is coffee. We haven't yet addressed the Word of Wisdom, but we are planning on doing that this week. I love them!
Ashley we met 2 weeks ago but have just seriously started teaching. She is very learned and I'm worried that may start getting in the way of the spirit but she is open to listening and she is REALLY good about keeping commitments. So I have full faith that as she really reads and prays about the Book of Mormon, that this will come. Slowly but surely. She is 18 and just graduated last June. She is actually super weird and fun to teach for me because I get the very distinct feeling that she is exactly who I would be if I wasn't raised in or ever became a member of the church. She has agnostic beliefs and is very intelligent. She loves learning. Her personality type reminds me a lot of Luna Lovegood actually (from Harry Potter). She is going to try and come to church this Sunday and I am really excited to continue to teach her.

As for your email:
If Ferrara's hadn't called us yes, we would just sit in our apartment and wait it out. But I have full confidence that if they hadn't called someone in the ward would have at least been prompted to. The Lord takes care of His servants. No, we haven't had a training on what to do in a tornado per say, but Sister Woodbury did write about it in one of The Trumpet's. We basically just hide when we hear the siren go off.
Mandy: Take care of your new room! I expect it to still be in beautiful condition by the time I get home. haha :)
Tifenn: I got your letter this past week! Are you going to decorate my room? I think that would be really sweet. :) I LOVE YOU!!!

Brit:  Write me. Soon. Or you will be in BIG trouble. haha Love you. :) Also, congrats on the AP test!!!!!

I usually get a small email from Stephen each week but not this week because his family is in NYC. I also get weekly emails from Petey (in the choir), Ian Fitch, Cameron and Ryan, Hillary, Kadi, Sister Earl (you called her! Fun!), Jasmine (aka Sister Junk) and Josh Nielson (went home last transfer, he was my zone leader and served in Evansville with me). I am very blessed.

Thank you for the pics! I loved seeing Tifenn! And is that my handprint in the cement walkway? How did you do that? It looks beautiful! Looks like everyone is having fun! I love you all and will talk to you next week! 

Love eternally,

Sister Thorne

P.S. I got Grandma Kathy's letter with the postcard!!! It got forwarded to the new apartment. I also got a letter from Cameron, Keilee, Theron, Tifenn and Ryan. But for now, everyone should probably start sending letters to the mission home 1325 Eastern Pkwy, Louisville, KY, 40204 just in case I get transferred. Thanks!

 Us at the Schnitzelbank. A famous german restaurant in Jasper.

 Me proselyting at a fair on the 4th of July in Otwell, IN. Fun!

 Tell Grandpa Ralph I am still drawing!

Our pet Carl the Caterpillar in his Chrysallis

July 1, 2013

Hey Thorne Fam! 

Okay, so this week has been absolutely insane. To start it all off, Day 100 of my mission was on this past Wednesday! Woot! And I guess the weather wasn't too happy about that because I survived my first tornado warning that night! It was so crazy. The sky started looking angry around 6-7pm. At about 8, the Ferrara's called us and said, "Come to our basement. Now." So we drove over there and the sirens went off. It started pouring and the sky looked purple and green. Literally. I have never seen such crazy weather. We tried to get some pics but it doesn't do it any justice. We got to the Ferrara house and spent the next 2 hours in the basement with all the kids. By 9, the rain was coming down in sheets, I have never ever seen rain that hard before. Brit, the rain in Philly looks like sprinkling compared to this. Then the radio came on with reports of tornado's about 5-10 miles North-West and North-East of us. We bunkered down, said some prayers and within 45 minutes things had calmed down. The rain had stopped but there was lightening that lit up the entire purple and green sky every few seconds. So. Crazy. So yep. That was an adventure! 

Then, on Friday, we went to the hospital! Sister Pack woke up with an migraine that had lasted about 4 days. We had taken meds and everything and it had only gotten worse. She couldn't get out of bed  Friday at all. So we got permission to take her to the UrgentCare here in Jasper. We spent the afternoon from 12 to about 5:30 there while she got an IV with some powerful drugs and steroids to try and break the migraine. By the end of it, it was subsiding but she was exhausted so she slept the rest of the day while I did some small projects and studied. A lot. XP Then on Saturday, she woke up and it was back. She finally collapsed and admitted that the headaches were coming because of anxiety. She wanted to go home. It was the same situation as Sister Junk. I was devastated as you can imagine. So Sunday, with her still wanting to leave, we spent the day down in Louisville at the mission home. President interviewed her and we went to the mission home fireside where one of the men from the Louisville Temple Presidency spoke. She then got to call her parents to see what they were going to do. Meanwhile, I just basically hung out with Sister Woodbury all day. SHE IS AMAZING!!!! She helped me to get through this so much. She was so supportive and such a great listener. She is truly my mission mom now. That night, after talking to her parents, Sister Pack felt all better! It was literally a miracle. She is ready to go again. She still has the anxiety but she has the desire and faith to hopefully get through it. She may also be looking into getting some meds. She is so strong. She's amazing.

So then that brings us to today. Because of all the craziness that has gone on this week, we weren't able to actually get much proselyting done. But with what little we did, here's the update!

Our progressing investigators consist of Kent, Gene, Macey and Olivia at the moment. Gene and his family came to church Sunday and loved it (Btw, I gave a talk in church on Liberty and Freedom from a spiritual perspective. It turned out really cool if I do say so myself). Kent is going to try and come in 2 weeks, when he finally has work off. We have lost contact with many of our potential and non-progressing investigators because of this past week but we hope to pick everything up again this week.

Kent: He's doing awesome. We had an incredible member-present lesson with him on Wednesday with Brother Scott. We were able to answer all his questions and Brother Scott was amazing.

Gene and his 2 daughters (Macey [10] and Olivia [9]): They are all doing fabulously! They loved church and they are excited to come to church next Sunday. They have really felt the spirit and have already commited to baptism. I have faith that he will be baptized within the next month or 2. :D

As for your email:

I CAN'T WAIT FOR PICS!!! I am so excited to see my room. Tifenn: as agreed, you have full reign to decorate it however frenchie you'd like. :) I look forward to seeing it. Along with that, I LOVE YOU TIFENN!!!! I miss you so stinkin much! How are you? Can you email me? I would love to hear from you. Did you get my letter? I sent it awhile ago. Are you happy to be back in Utah? Tell me everything! I miss you so much! Did I mention that?

It's so crazy that it's cooler here than over in Utah! It's only been in the 80's and 90's. It hasn't even felt very hot this week. It's rained nearly every day so that's cooled things off quite a bit. I love the rain.

Congrats to Mandy on getting set apart and Congrats to Flower for finally getting into the temple!!! I am so proud of all my family! :D

I think that's pretty much all this week. I love you all so much and look forward to hearing from you next week! 

Love eternally,

Sister Thorne

 Sister Pack and I in Sister Braedon's (the member we stayed with) gorgeous gold Mustang. She went to a lesson with us. We drove back home with the top down. Fun!

 The angry, greenish sky.

  Sister Pack and I in the hospital

A gorgeous sunset. I thought of Mom and Brit.