Buenas tardes,
Well, first things first, happy 4th of July to all the Americans. I hope you have a great day and enjoy the barbecue food and all the fireworks! No one down here in Mexico really celebrates it but it was nonetheless a great day. We had a zone activity today and ordered some pizza as a zone and enjoyed just hanging out at the stake center for a bit and relaxing. After that, we went downtown and did a ton of souvenir shopping. We tried to get a little bit of everything so hopefully everyone is happy with what they receive haha. I am now down to the 8-day mark and will be coming home this upcoming Tuesday, July 12th. Knowing that, this will be my last e-mail home as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so grateful for the opportunity that my Heavenly Father has given me to come out here and serve this mission. I have learned, experienced and seen so many different things in these two years in Mexico. It has been by far the hardest thing I've ever done in my entire life, but it has also been the absolute most rewarding experience as well. I think back on it now and find it hard to remember any of the hard times, it just seems a lot easier for me to remember the good, spiritual ones. I've knocked on so many of these Mexican doors and have talked to so many people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm really going to miss knocking on these doors and just talking and getting to know someone and seeing how the Gospel can bless them. Doing that day after day, door after door, lesson after lesson, I've truly found my purpose as a person and have grown and changed so much. The gospel changes people, I've seen it in countless people but more importantly I've seen the change within myself. The only real, true changes that exist in this world are the ones made possible through the Atonement of Christ. I know the Lord has blessed me so much during this time. He's blessed me with knowledge, wisdom, humility, love for others, meekness, kindness, and so many other things. Every transfer and companion I've received was completely inspired by the Lord for my benefit and learning. I often reflect on the words of King Benjamin in Mosiah 3:19 about the natural man and how the influence of the Spirit and the power of the Atonement changes these natural men into spiritual, Christ-like, humble beings. I've applied that scripture and doctrine to my life and I know without a doubt that it is true. During these past two years the Spirit has taught and revealed to me several undeniable Gospel truths. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and has a plan for me and for all the rest of the world. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that through his Atonement I can rid myself of all sin and become perfect in Him. I have grown to acquire a great love and admiration for the Savior and even though I'm not perfect, I know that he is always there for me and loves me and wants and allows me to progress. I am so thankful for my knowledge of Him. I also know that the Gospel was restored in it's entirety to the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that he saw God the Father and His Son that Spring morning in 1820. I know it. I know that he was called of God to restore the Gospel, and God being all-knowing, gave to us the Book of Mormon, acting as an evidence of the veracity of his calling. That book is true. I have read it many times, I have lived it's teachings and have prayed to God to know that it is exactly what it says it is. The Spirit has taught me that it is true and I will never be able to deny my testimony of that book even until the day I die. There is no way that any normal man could have written that book, let alone a liar that was inspired by the Devil to write it like many people like to think that it was. I also know that the Church is guided and lead today by men chosen of God. Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of the Lord and the Church in it's entirety it is guided by revelation. For all of those who are still not sure if the mission is right for them or not, read that book and ask God if these things are true, just like your parents and leaders have told you for years. Do it and I know that God will answer your prayers. And now to finish, I'd like to share one of my favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon with you all. Helaman 3:28-30 28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. 29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked-- 30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out. I know that the word of God leads the man of Christ back to our Father's presence. I love the phrase 'man of Christ' and I aspire to be one everyday. I know that if I am faithful in Him, I will one day receive my reward and will return to my Heavenly Father's presence with those I love. I love you all and cannot wait to see you guys again. Eight days is nothing, so I will see you back at home in no time! For the last time, Elder Thayne P.s. Jamie I bought you a ton of Mexican candy hahahahaha :) Buenas tardes familia,
Well, I've two weeks left! I don't really know what to think at this point, all I know is that the mission has been the best experience ever and I feel sad knowing that I'm leaving this phase of my life behind. My companion and I have been working really hard lately and we were actually able to get one of our investigators, Abraham to church yesterday! We've been teaching him for about the past three weeks and he and his wife (less-active) were able to come to church! He and his wife are both doctors, pretty successful, and very intelligent, and are definitely not like the normal type of people we teach in that sense. We had a family home evening on Thursday with them and we brought the recently-released stake president with us and had an AWESOME lesson. It was his first time at church and I seriously love these guys. We were practicing a musical number that we were going to sing before sacrament meeting and then all of the sudden I saw them walk in and it just made me super happy. Every Sunday is like Christmas all over again, we just wait and see which presents (investigators) show up and then celebrate like crazy the entire day haha. Scripture for the week is Jacob 6:12 12. O be wise; what can I say more? Alright, I know, I know, it's a pretty basic and somewhat silly scripture right here but it actually applies quite a bit to our lives. Being wise is probably one of the most important qualities that a person could have. There is a huge difference between someone who is smart and someone who is wise. Smart people are intelligent but wise people make intelligent choices. Being wise can help guide us in life and help us to avoid foolish decisions that bring pain and doubt. I know that as we trust in the Lord and in His Atonement, making wise decisions according to our personal convictions, we can stay on the correct, narrow path that leads us safely back into our Heavenly Father's presence. So be wise and think deeply and pray with faith about every decision that you make. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and blessing that God has given me to be able to serve this mission and I now know that it was a wise decision to come out here. The changes that I've been able to see in others and in myself have been incredible and they are things and testimonies to me of the plan that God has for each of us. The Spirit that I've felt has been undeniable and are things that will hold me close to His Gospel. I can't wait to go home and continue on with the plan that God has for me and continue to serve the Lord in other aspects in my life. I can't wait to see all of your faces again and just be with you all. I love you all and am probably just as excited as you are to meet up again haha. Have a great week...only 15 more days!! Con amor, Elder Thayne Buenas tardes familia, My companion and I had a pretty good week this past week; we were able to visit quite a lot of people and had some good lessons as well. We've also been knocking on lots of doors and trying to find new investigators, and we've also had a bit of success in doing that as well. The people that we've been teaching have been having a hard time showing up to church on Sunday but we've been having lots of great lessons with them and are hoping that they can go soon. We had a special zone conference with Presidente Robinson and the assistants on Thursday and had a really spiritual conference. We all learned a lot of new things and it really gave us some motivation to keep working in the hot sun down here haha. It's been really hot lately and the sun is just always out but we just keep working and working and working. It's actually pretty hard but there's really no other choice at this point haha. The church has started a new program called ¨My Plan¨ that is made for missionaries who are preparing themselves to go home. It's an online slideshow/questionarre that I'm doing right now that helps missionaries to plan for their life when they get back home. I already started it and it's really cool so hopefully that will help me out somehow. I heard about the Cavs winning the Finals, that was crazy how they came back from 3-1 and I'm glad that LeBron took home another championship. Well, I'm down to 3 weeks left, I still feel like I'm not getting that trunky but I definitely do think more about home than I used to haha. Scripture of the week: 2 Nephi 9: 28-29 28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. 29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. I've been studying 2 Nephi this past week and honestly all of chapter 9 really stood out to me. The prophet Jacob here explains how men have the tendency to lean on their own understanding and not trust in the counsels of God or of his prophets. I think that the best way that we can keep a strong testimony and remembrance of the commandments and counsels of God is to always read our scriptures, even when it's hard or when there's not time. People can say lots of things against the Church or even within the Church there are many who complain about the leaders or the way it's administrated, but only those who trust in God and in counsels are the ones who 'will not perish.' Over the past two years I have come to the conclusion that the only real, true, and happy way to live and obey the gospel is the Lord's way and none other. Every other way just simply cannot bring the same blessings or happiness to ourselves unless it's the Lord's. It also brings to mind how many times the Book of Mormon brings up the phrase ¨the wicked traditions of their fathers.¨ Many of the Lamanites and Nephites were stuck and couldn't progress spiritually because they were so stuck to the way that everyone else around them was living. For that reason it is so important that we read the scriptures and see what they teach us, and if their way is different than those around us or even ours, look for a way to change that and obey the commandments. I know that all of this is true because I've lived it and the Spirit has taught me that it is true. Thanks for all of the emails, I love you guys so much and can't wait to be home so soon! It's so crazy that in just a few weeks I'll be back at the house and will be able to hang out with you all again! Take care, hasta luego. Con amor, Elder Thayne Buenas tardes familia,
My comp and I had a pretty good week this past week...We were able to reach a lot of the goals that we set and honestly were able to see quite a bit of success. We're teaching a couple really cool people right now who have potential to get baptized this transfer but we're just working so hard trying to get them to come to church again. This one guy that we've been teaching is named Gerardo and he is one of the coolest investigators ever. He's been to church in the past and just understands the message so well. He's very well-educated and has been praying and reading to receive an answer from God. I have a lot of faith in that God can help him receive an answer and hope that he receives it soon. I did splits with Elder Christensen on Wednesday and had a really good time. It was a nice change of pace and I really enjoyed it. We also had the Mission Leadership Council on Tuesday and was able to learn a lot from Presidente Robinson and the assistants. Today we went to a member's house (they're Americans) and hung out and got to play a TON of pool for P-day. I had a lot of fun and it just felt nice to be around the American culture a little bit. I'm trying my hardest to stay working hard, even though it's like a million degrees down here and I hope to end the mission well. Thanks for all of the emails, I love you guys and appreciate all the emails! Less than a month left and I'll be seeing all of you again! Con amor, Elder Thayne Buenas tardes familia, ¿Como están? Perdon pero al principio les voy a escribir en español para que todos no me entiendan jaja. Esta semana me fue mas o menos la verdad. Lo que hicimos era visitar a muchos miembros del barrio y también a los investigadores con el mas potencial. El barrio aquí está bien suave!! Me habían contado que este barrio (el barrio tres) era uno de los barrios mas ricos de toda la misión y la verdad me lo creo jaja. Casi todos viven en casas bien grandes y bonitas y la comida con los miembros ha sido MUCHA y riquísima. Acaban de cerrar un área aquí en el barrio, así que antes habían seis misioneros pero ahora solo somos cuatro. Y pues por eso nuestro área está gigante. Casi todo el área está llena de cerradas y colonias muy separadas y lejanas y a veces tenemos que tomar autobus para llegar a las citas (casi dos por día). Según muchos misioneros el área nuestra es la mas difícil de toda la misión también por lo mismo, hay mucho dinero y la mayoría de la gente no nos hace caso. Mi compañero y yo tocamos a muchas puertas en está semana pero solo tuvimos cuatro nuevos investigadores haciendo eso en toda la semana. Es muy difícil contactar personas aquí. Pero aun así pudimos tener algunas lecciones y encontrar algunas personas muy buenas. No había caminado yo por mas de ocho meses en la misión así que al caminar tanto, me dio ampollas a los pies. Tuve que comprar cinta especial de la farmacia para envolverlos. Seguía trabajando pero la verdad sí me dolió bien feo. Ahoríta sí me siento mucho mejor pero espero que se me pase otra vez. In case you didn't understand that, everything is going GREAT!!! Haha. We spent a ton of time knocking on doors in our new area. It was somewhat miserable because it got super hot this week, especially Friday and Saturday. On Saturday we went knocking on doors from 3 to 6 and apparently it had been reaching 120 degrees during that time of the day. I'm pretty sure we were both out there suffering and just hoping that ANYONE would let us into their house. It's definitely moments like that when your faith is tested and built. I've got quite the tan-line on my neck and arms so that will look pretty cool by the time I go home. It'll be like my version of battle scars basically haha. Hermosillo is really cool, it's my second time being here and also my second time being here during the summer haha. It's a nice area and we have a ton of places to visit and stuff to do, but the heat is such a drag. The ward is super nice. There are like three super strong American families in the ward as well that all work in the consolate down here. Church was as 3 o'clock (super late) because our normal chapel is being remodeled right now and we have to go to another church. The area is giant so we have to take A TON of buses and also we've being having to buy electrolyte-water and water like two or three times a day to prevent dehydration . If we didn't take buses we would be walking over an hour to get to each appointment, it's crazy. I've been drinking as much water and electrolyte water as possible and it helps me feel so much better. I still feel tired all the time from all of the work and am looking forward to a nice long rest when I get back home. It still feels weird to me that the mission is ending in only five weeks. I miss you guys like crazy and I have no idea what the transition is going to be like. I feel like a completely different person from who I was back at home and I know that mission has helped me so much. Now it's just time for me to finish these last five weeks out strong and come home feeling great. Scripture of the week: 40 And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? 41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. 42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. 43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. 44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity. 45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. I love verses 41 and 45 and have thought about them a lot over these past few weeks. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that only people chosen by our Heavenly Father could have written it. Whenever we have doubts or lack faith, the Book of Mormon is always a great reminder and anchor of our past conversion to the gospel. I love all you guys and can't wait to see you all so soon! Que tengan buen día!!! Con amor, Elder Thayne Buenas tardes familia,
Alright well I've got some news for you all! We received the transfers Saturday morning and found out that I was being transferred to my last area. I just took the bus down here to Hermosillo (like a 7 hour trip) and will be staying here in Hermosillo to finish the mission. The area name is Satelite, and the zone's name is Pitic and I'll be staying as zone leader and also got a new companion. His name is Elder Hunter and he's from the St. George area. We're both brand new to the area so we're going to be basically opening it up and we're hoping to get a lot done with our time. He goes home only six weeks after I do so this will most likely be both of our last areas. The zone has the four assistants in it as well as the four secretaries in the offices so it should be interesting. To be honest I was pretty surprised to hear that I was being transferred, President had told me beforehand that I was going to be finishing in Puerto Peñasco but I guess that when they were doing the transfers the Lord needed me somewhere else. I left a few baptismal dates up in my old area but I'm still hoping there will be plenty of work for us here. It was definitely a little disappointing to hear that I wasn't going to finish the mission there but it definitely does have a bright side knowing that I'll already be down here when it's time for me to go home. Hermosillo is a nice place, I just hope the heat doesn't kill me/drive me crazy for these last six weeks haha. Saying goodbye to everyone back there was definitely bittersweet but I know that I'm here for a reason. This area does have it's advantages though...The house over here is NICE!!! It's two stories and has like four bedrooms and two bathrooms and a full kitchen with a washer AND dryer!!! It's definitely one of the nicest houses there are in the entire mission so that'll be sweet. I definitely want to focus more on the spiritual-side of the work and possibly a little bit less on the work-side (not saying I'm not going to work) but I really want to come home feeling good and ready to take on the real world again. These are going to be the fastest six weeks ever. I can't believe I'm already almost going home. The mission has gone by so fast and it's the weirdest feeling knowing that it's my last transfer out here. I love all you guys and seriously can't wait to see you all again so soon. If you have any questions feel free to send over an email! Take care, love you all! Con amor, Elder Thayne Buenas tardes familia,
My companion and I had a pretty good week. Not much was new so I'm going to keep this pretty short. I was pretty sick a few days this week and wasn't able to leave the house and work so we didn't get as much done as we liked but it was still a pretty good week in spite of that. I feel a ton better now though and we've been working as normal the past couple of days. We found a less-active family on Tuesday and two of their kids that are old enough to be baptized aren't baptized yet and we've been working with them all week to help reactivate them and baptize their kids. Transfers are this upcoming Monday and I'm pretty positive I'm staying here but who knows what happens? Puerto Peñasco is great. I'm doing really well and am enjoying just about everything right now. Thanks for the emails, I love you guys! Con amor, Elder Thayne Buenas tardes familia, Well, it was a pretty average week for my companion and I this week. We worked pretty hard and definitely got our share of riding our bikes in the hot sun and sandy desert. We found a lot of people in their houses and were able to teach a ton of lessons. We have four people right now with baptismal dates and basically we're just trying to help them the most that we can to get to church on Sundays. They're great people and have a ton of potential but just need that little push to get them going really. On Thursday we did splits as a zone with the assistants (Elder Child and Elder Rodeback) and honestly had a really good time. We went with Elder Child in our area and worked pretty well together in a trio. The work has been going great for us lately, definitely super tiring because of the bike riding but definitely worth it. Pretty sure my thighs are always sore or about half dead but that should be a good thing right? My comp and I are getting along awesome and I'm hoping President leaves us together another transfer so I can finish the mission with him. We're having interviews tomorrow with President and I'm actually really excited to talk to him. We went to a place called Flavio's a little bit ago today and ate some awesome Mexican food by the beach for free. He's a member that owns a dock-side restaraunt and let's us eat there on P-days for free. It's always a great time. Spiritual thought of the week is a part of Samuel the Lamanite's preaching to the Nephites. 24 Yea, wo unto this people, because of this time which has arrived, that ye do cast out the prophets, and do mock them, and cast stones at them, and do slay them, and do all manner of iniquity unto them, even as they did of old time. 25 And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, we would not have slain the prophets; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out. 26 Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil. 27 But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet. 28 Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him. 29 O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light? I love the last line about choosing darkness rather than light. It is so important to follow the prophet and live by their teachings, and not those of the people of the world. I hope each of you commit to always follow the prophet, even when it's hard. I love you guys and hope you have a great week! Con amor, Elder Thayne Buenas tardes familia!
I'm down here in Hermosillo right now for leadership council and will be heading back up to Puerto Peñasco tomorrow afternoon, so I don't have a ton of time to write you guys. My comp and I had a really great week, we got a lot of work done and were able to visit a lot of people and teach tons of lessons. My bike basically broke down on Friday so we've had to walk the past few days and that definitely wasn't the better part of my week haha. It's starting to get a bit warmer over here so that would probably explain why I'm turning so red in the photos haha. But everything's still going great and honestly it's not super hot like it used to be in Hermosillo last summer at least. My comp and I are getting along great and I feel like we're seeing a lot of progress in our area right now. And this Sunday is MOTHERS DAY so I'll be Skyping you guys in the afternoon I'm pretty sure. We're still looking for a place to Skype at but I'll give you guys a call Saturday night to let you know at what time exactly it's going to be at. Could you send me over your phone numbers again so I can call you? Thanks. I'll talk more to you guys then when I see you all on Sunday! Thanks for all of the emails, I love you guys a ton! Con amor, Elder Thayne |
Archives
June 2016
AuthorMy name is Troy Thayne, and I have created this Blog in order to chronicle the events of my son, Elder Jonah Thayne, who has been called to serve a full-time, two year mission in Hermosillo, Mexico. Categories |