"I can't stop smiling!"

Welp. This week was fan-freaking-tastic. “W” did get baptized! We taught him everything this week, he felt the Spirit super strong, he committed to live all the commandments, and he was baptized! So amazing how the Lord has prepared people so much. Ah and the baptism was SO amazing. The Spirit was way strong during the ordinance, then “W” came in happy as can be, smiling from ear to ear. I was sitting next to him and asked, "How do you feel ‘W?’" "I can't stop smiling" .. Aw. Loved it. We went over to his house after church and his 2 year old daughter was there visiting him. And I thought he was happy at the baptism, but you should have seen him with his daughter. OMG. He was like, "This is the best day of my life". Ooh. I love him so much. That was for sure the highlight of the week. 

We met with “K,”  she's progressing well. We tried to get her baptized as well, but she was with her dad on Sunday and wasn't able to make it to church. Hmm.. Oh. We also have a girl named “J.” There's a recent convert, “M,” who got baptized in Feb, but hadn't been confirmed yet since after her baptism, her work started making her work on Sundays. So we've tried to stop by her a few times but never made contact. Finally we did, about a week and a half ago, and she's living with a friend, “J.” They're both about 25. Really cool. We got both of them to church yesterday and “M” confirmed! :) And “J” is gonna get baptized this Sunday! We just gotta teach her everything :) haha it's hard to meet with them. But it will happen. Yup..

It's all good. Happy Father's Day dad. Hope it was as fun as it sounds. The card I sent is a stand up card so you can put it on your desk at work, only if you want to ;) That'd be sweet. I love you all family and friends! Stay safe and be good!

Oh. And another thing. The prayers were 'by invitation' at the baptism, so Bro “G” (who was conducting) got up and asked if there would be a volunteer for the closing prayer, and “W” goes ahead and bows his head where he's sitting, and starts saying the closing prayer!! (that happened in all our lessons and even in gospel principles) Ah. SO awesome! haha. He thanked God for being baptized twice in the prayer, and told God how happy he was. AMAZING.

Elder JR Thorne

A revisit of "The News Story!"

Great week in Jupiter!

“D” got baptized! Ah SO SO awesome! I'm so happy for him. On Saturday, I was in Stuart on exchanges with the zone leader's, and Elder “W” went over to see “D.” We had the zone leader's from the Palm Beach zone come interview him since they speak Creole. “D” was super hesitant before the interview about baptism, because he wanted to know more. I don’t know who did the interview, but they had an amazingly super spiritual experience and “D” agreed to be baptized! His only concern was that he felt uncomfortable at the Jupiter ward, since 1) he's the only black person there and 2) he can't understand what's being taught. After some counsel and discussion, we decided it would be best if we passed him to the Palm Beach ward and get him baptized there. There's a lot of Haitians in that ward (it's like the Boynton Beach ward), so we knew that in order to help “D” most, we'd pass him. He lives pretty close to the border anyway, so we figured it'd be fine. So we lost the baptism for our personal area, BUT. He got baptized down there yesterday! Which is all that matters! Man it was awesome. He's still in our area so we'll still be able to go see him :)

That was definitely the highlight of the week. We're also teaching a girl named “K” she's the girlfriend of a member, “A.” He's 20 and she's 18. Super cool and super willing. She's progressing well. She should be all set for this Sunday.

Also, a miracle from yesterday: A lady in the ward brought a friend to church. I guess they're in the same AA class or something. This guy's name is “W.” We saw him at church and I kept wondering if he was maybe one of the other missionaries' investigator or if it's just a LA person coming back. At the end of church, Bro “M” (WML) came up to us and asked about him. He told us that he wasn't a member and that it was his first time at church. So we rushed over and talked to him. We asked how he liked church and he said he liked it, we identified the Spirit that he felt, then I invited him to be baptized next Sunday, and he said yes! We set up to go see him later on that day. SO.. When we were teaching him, he told us that he met with missionaries before down in Miami about 10 or 11 years ago, but he told us he never got baptized. He lost contact with the missionaries and moved up here. He said that he's known the member for a while, and that when he got to church with her yesterday, he was so excited to see that it was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. During the lesson, we solidified his date for next Sunday. And during the closing prayer, he says " And Lord, Thank you for giving me a second chance to be baptized in your church". SO COOL. Spirit was so strong.

Life is good as you can see. I'm loving it. I don't want it to end. I'm definitely a new man. I've been changed through the Atonement of Christ. I am so grateful for it. And even though people try to go against me, I am TOO STRONG. They have their reward. 

I love you guys so much. Thank you for your help and guidance. See you soon.

Feeling good in Jupiter

Yeah so remember the awesome lady that we were lead to down in Fort Laud? She got baptized last Sunday! Ah it's so so awesome. I'm so excited.

Anyway.. This week has been good. I'm starting to like it more here. The only problem is that church is SO far away. Ugh it's annoying. We are teaching this Haitian guy, “D.”  I honestly don't know if I've ever loved an investigator like I love this guy. 2 lessons ago, he told us that he's really sad because he doesn't have a job. He pretty much begged us to pray for him to get one. I really almost started crying when he was telling us these things. Oh, the thing is, his English is super super limited. He speaks Creole and French. He doesn't understand us a lot of the time. I think that's why the love is so important because if he can just feel our love, he'll feel the Spirit. He has come to church once; not this past Sunday, but the last one in May, my first in Jupiter. Then yesterday we went over, and we were trying to commit him to be baptized this Sunday. There is a member in the ward, Sister “N,” who speaks French who has come with us to some lessons. So we called her last night during the lesson because we didn't think he was getting what we were trying to get across haha. But he said he wants to learn more. He doesn't want to fall back after being baptized. He told us that his wife (who has a job) does voodoo back in Haiti, and will send money to her family back there to do it. She won't give any money to him to send to his baby in Haiti. Sometimes when they're arguing or fighting, she'll take away his food. He feels alone because he's the only one in his family in the states, while she's got tons of family here. He knows he has to follow God to show how much he appreciates Him. “D” also told us that today actually, it's been a year since he got in a horrible car accident. The other 3 people in “D's” car died. He broke some bones, but he said that he knew that God protected him for a reason. He's just scared about what will happen with the family situation if he gets baptized. He needs a job to support himself in that home, or what he really wants to do is move out. It's a pretty crazy situation. I love him.

Other than that.. haha. The ward is cool. We have 2 meals this week. Not bad. I got the package. Me and Elder “W” are having a great time. The work is moving along. We're gonna see tons of miracles this week. I''m excited. We're in a library right now and I only have 12 min left. So I gotta go email President :) So I love you!

Elder JR Thorne

Jupiter South

Hey family.

Sorry I didn't write a full letter last week. We were all at the church and I wanted to spend as much time as I could with my friends, especially Sister “B.” Man It was a rough couple of days over there. I miss them all so much. That was the best district ever. 

Being in the trio was SO awesome. We had such an amazing week. Quick story from Fort Laud last week: One day (I think Friday), we were up by North Federal (20th East) and Sunrise (10th North). We were about to go harvest, so we prayed and asked where we should go. Elder “V”goes, "..by Bro. “B's” house." Which is about Broward (the 0 line) and 15th Ave (15th West). So we head over there. We drive right past Bro. “B's” on 5th, and Elder “V” goes, "Tell me left or right". I say, "Just keep going." We drive all the way to the end where it's a dead end, either left or right, I go "Go left". So we turn, go down the street to the end, park, and start knocking. We found an AWESOME lady named “T.” She is so prepared. We arranged to go to her house on Sunday morning at 8:30 so she could follow us to church. So me and Elder “V” go over, her van's not there. We knock, nothing. I give her a call, rings twice, IGNORED. I was thinking ah crap. We were super worried. I had a really strong feeling to call again. So I did. She answered and said that she didn't want to be late so she had left already to find it on her own and she was already there! Miracles baby. God is good. 

  Anywayyyy.... I'm in Jupiter South. With Elder “W.” We live just the 2 of us down in Palm Beach Gardens. It's super weird since I haven't been in a 2 man since the first time in Wellington. It's whatevs. There's us, Jupiter North and Stuart North (sisters) in the district. I went from 10 to 6. Which is ok I guess. Everyone is just so far away! It's so weird. It's an interesting area. Jupiter has always gotten a bad rap. But me and my companion are trying to figure out a way to change that. The ward is pretty cool.  Nothing super cool happening here. We've got a couple cool people we're teaching and finding. We were able to go to a BBQ yesterday with some members which was pretty sweet. Umm.. idk that's about it for now. No one currently preparing for baptism. We have some peeps that potentially can. We just need to get them more solid. 

  Life's good. I'm good. I can't believe I only have 3 transfers left. It's crazy. It's been awesome. Thanks for being the best family ever. I have no regrets and I'm grateful for everything that has happened to me. I miss you all like crazy. I love you a ton!

Elder JR Thorne

A week in pictures

A good week

Dear Family

This week was a good week. A lot better than last. Unfortunately, “D” was not baptized. We were only able to meet with her once this week. We're going to try really hard to see her at least twice this week to resolve any concerns that she has. She was able to come to church though. On Saturday, I went on exchange with Elder “M.” He's Elder “B's” comp. He's like the nicest person in the whole world. We had a lot of fun. Most of my exchanges are just full of crazy situations and a whole lot of hard laughter haha. That was on Saturday. At like 8:30, the sisters called (Elder Thorne’s Companion) Elder “B”  and said that they had just met a less-active lady who really wanted to come to church and bring a nonmember friend. So the sisters told them that we would get them a ride... (-__- .. I know right?) We called a few people that night but had no success. In the morning, luckily we were able to get Bro “P” to go get them. They came and we met them and the LA lady's name is “G” and her friend/roommate is “P.” The sisters had talked to “P” about being baptized and she had said yes. “P” loved church and we went over last night with Bro “A” and had a really good lesson and she's preparing for this Sunday! We're super excited for that. We have found some good people this last week, I'll let you know how they're progressing next week if they turn into anything.. Ha. 

So Elder “T,” the creole missionary, has been having some health issues. He's had to stay home for most of the week. We're able to take their car when they're not using it, and sometimes we rotate where Elder “V “will go with either me or Elder “B.” It works out pretty well. 

This morning we went to go check out the temple! It was way sweet! I'm trying to upload pics, but it's taking forever...

Well.. that's about it for this week. Idk what else to say. I can't wait till I can talk to you guys next Sunday! Love you!