Merry Christmas!

 

Dear family and friends.

Well... Merry Christmas! What a wonderful time to go fishing and chill on the beach and hang out in the sun :) haha. So fishing was good this morning. We went with Brother “C,” a way sick member, he's 6'9". We drove to like 8 different places because none were biting. But at the last spot that we were at, I caught big Peacock Bass! It was way cool. We were fishing for like 5 hours from 8-1. We were out west, so on the way home, we stopped by the temple. It looked so cool. I'm excited for it. I really hope I'm here to at least get to the open house!
Anyway, “R” was baptized yesterday. It was good. She has an 11 year old daughter who we'll try to get next week. It's just tough because “R” works every other weekend. We'll see what she can do.. Other than that, we have a few promising investigators.

I snagged a copy of 'Teachings of Lorenzo Snow' last transfer :) so I've read that a little bit. It's really good. I can't believe Coach Anderson left Utah State.. Lame. He sold out. Oh well. I'm glad the players are good. I gotta say, I'm also a little disappointed that Jabari is going to Duke. I hate Duke... But I guess playing there will help him the most. I'm excited for him to be in the NBA, whenever that is. Does he start Duke next season? If so I'll be able to see him play. 

Not a whole lot to say today. I'm just excited to talk tomorrow. No info on what time yet, but when I find out, I'll call and let you know. I miss you all. Love you!!

Christmas Conference

Hello Family.

First of all, Happy Anniversary to Mom & Dad! I love you guys! What a great day.

Well, my week was ok. We just had 15 blessings this week. Our goal is a lot higher this week, bt idk. We did meet some cool people last week that we'll follow up with and hopefully they'll drop into our teaching pool. We are teaching a lady, "R" who has a date for this Sunday. She was found just a couple days before I got here. She's really sincere and is accepting everything we teach her. But it is hard to contact her too. She has a 12 yo daughter as well.

Christmas Conference was pretty good. It was on Thursday. It's always to see a lot of friends from the mission. President Anderson did a good job too. Elder "R", Elder "B" and I all got matching Christmas ties and wore them there.

We have a place to skype. The ward mission leader, Brother "A" Idk what time yet, but I'll let you know. I'm not sure whether Christmas Eve will be P-day or not, haven't heard anything.

Have you seen the mini Preach My Gospel's? If you see one somewhere, that'd be nice to have.. I got all the packages and the prescription. I just don't know when to go get them. It's hard when you don't have a car... I got new tires though. All bike is fine. It's fun.

K I love you all. Thanks for everything. I miss you guys. Can't wait to see you on Christmas. LOVE YOU

Elder J Thorne

Back in Ft Lauderdale

Thorne Family and others...

Well. Yeah. I guess now the whole surprise aspect is taken out of where I'm at. haha. But I'll announce it anyway.. I'm in Fort Lauderdale East with Elder “R”!! Yep, that Elder “R”. The one that was in the MTC with me and “B.” So now I've been comps with both of them :) The last few days with him have been fun. We get along really well and work very well together. I live in the same complex as I did when I was in Plantation, but a different apartment. We live with the Fort Lauderdale Creole-speaking elders. They're ok... We hang out with the Fort Lauderdale South and Plantation elders a lot. Actually Elder “B” is in Fort Lauderdale South. With a guy named Elder “B” who is a good friend. I don't have the address yet, but I can get it and email it to you later. It's the nicest apt/complex I've seen. The clubhouse is super nice. There are computers (that I'm using now), free hot chocolate, a full gym, and a bunch more stuff that I'm not allowed to use. Haha.

But yeah, this area is so awesome. SUPER ghetto, but lots of nice people haha. Oh, and we're all bike..............................-__-............ haha. Which isn't horrible, it just takes my body a couple of days to get used to. And I have to adjust my pump and basal rate and such. Thanks for the prescription mom, it's hard to get out to get that exam done. I'm always just so busy. The Fort Lauderdale ward is pretty sweet. There are 9 missionaries in the ward! So you've got Ft Laud Creole (2), Fort Laud South (2), Fort Laud [North]East (us 2), and Fort Laud [North]West (AP's 3). So it's hard to have relationships with people in the ward. There's a huge disconnect. And we never get fed by any member's so I'm going have to start spending more money on groceries this month.. Oh, and I have to replace my tires on my bike. Ugh missions are expensive..

We have some pretty cool investigators. A couple dates for this upcoming Sunday. A couple that I've found with Elder “R” and a couple that carried over. But the area has been pretty productive so far. The Standard of Excellence for blessings in people's homes is 15 for the whole week, and I got here on Wednesday and Elder Rondo and I got 40 since then. So we're blessing a lot so we're finding a lot so we'll teach a lot and baptize a lot :) Best transfer ever!! Haha. K I love you all. I can't wait to talk to you and see all of your faces! I love you!!

Elder J Thorne

On the move again

Dear family,

This week was alright. Not a whole lot happened. We just can't seem to find any solid investigators. “C” and “H” dropped off.. We can't contact them. “S” is still solid, keeps coming to church and activities, but her mom won't give permission. Frustrating. But I guess none of this matters because I'm transferring... I'm pretty bummed. This ward is super cool. Lots of cool families. I am excited, however to hopefully go to a place that has more work for me to do. That'll finally be nice. That reminds me, remember the “Y” family? The one that sent you the picture of us making cookies. Well they moved to Michigan on Friday. Bro. “Y” got a job offer that he took and they wanted them up there soon, so within like a week and a half they had to move. We helped them out last Thursday. It's sad because they were a super awesome family who helped me out a lot. They probably didn't realize it but they've had a huge impact on me. They were so good yet so real about it. Which is exactly who I want to be. I got their contact info so I'm really hoping to stay in touch. I love them a lot.

Like I said, this week was uneventful. Did you see “RB” playing at the Christmas devotional? I did. That was cool. I haven't gotten an eye exam yet, I was waiting until this next transfer to do it. We helped an older couple in the ward put up Christmas lights last week. That was really fun. Made me excited to have a house of my own to decorate.

But yeah. I'm sad I'm leaving. But oh well. It's whatever happens happens. I miss you guys. Love you all.

Elder Thorne