Zacamil- Week 19

Our Thanksgiving!

HOLA FAM,
So whats up? I guess the weekend must have been good because you ALL forgot to write me! jaja just kidding... I honestly didn´t expect you to write me this week. Walking to the ceber this morning I thought to myself... they probably didn´t write me today... but that's OK:) I hope everything went well on your Thanksgiving weekend! Its crazy its already Thanksgiving. A TON has definitely changed this past year. jaja.. I´ll probably say the same thing when January rolls around... jaja. But anyway!
So changes were this week. It is crazy to always look back on a change. How fast it goes. Then you start a new change and think that it goes slow sometimes... Its weird... We both stayed in Zacamil just like I thought.. so I will be here until Jan 4.. at least! with any luck I´ll have another change here and spend my birthday here as well.. that would be sweet. But we got some new members to our zone! Our new district leader is legit. He entered the MTC on the same day that I did. He is from the Dominican Republic and is so legit. I actually met him in the temple my first week when I was sicker than a dog. He was there with me for a while. And he talks to me like a black person would in English. Its legit. He is a way good missionary and a way good leader. Just the way that he goes about being a leader is way different than any other district leader I have had yet.. but you know... lo que sea!
SO we had a Thanksgiving as well. We cooked a boatload of food and I thought that I was going to explode!  I made arroz con leche and Elder Brose made some pupusas and some kinda of desert thing that he thought might taste good... it was...... interesting. jaja. But it was awesome.

Also on Thanksgiving I  received the packages! I opened them right away for one reason... to see if there was food in there... because if there was food, the ants would definitely get to it... so I found everything and it was awesome.. I didn´t open presents! I´m going to wait, but I did set up the tree and stuff. (see picture) and it was legit. I found austin´s little note... all i´m gonna say is that i have the coolest brother on earth... Thanks lady:)
I also got some letters on thanksgiving. Two from Mons and one from Sister Cottam. One of the ones that Mons sent was sent in Sept. and the other like two weeks ago... weird! Anyway, it was nice to here from him... also say thank you to Carolyn for me. She is so awesome and never fails to send a letter. It sounds like Alexis and Elena are also doing awesome! As well as Cody and Monson. Its weird how we are like all over the world right now.... crazy.
ON a not so great note... I got sick. The weather changed so fast and no one was ready for it so a lot of people are sick right now... Its still bloody hot, but the nights are pretty nice and cold. jaja But you know me... I´m loading up on medicine! (sarcasm) jaja...
So we kinda starting teaching this super old grandma about three weeks ago. She´s like 86 or something. She has a testimony. She knows the church is true. She has been taught by many missionaries that have passed through this area. and she says that she´ll get baptized next year... but she doesn´t know when yet. :) I was thinking, "you don't have much time left, you gotta get this done!" I didn´t really think that we would be able to baptize her anyway... I thought it would be better wait and do the work for the dead... but we challenged her anyway and she said next year but doesn´t know when! big surprise... but you know... whatever.
So remember the culebras that we were teaching? Well they are getting their testimony an has a baptismal date! well, one is.... she came to church yesterday and really enjoyed it. It was pretty funny because a few of the priests were all asking me if she had a boyfriend (she does) and asking me when we are going to go visit her again... we always have some trouble getting priests to come out with us... but they were like,.... I´ll come the day that you go visit her! I was like, yeah right...NICE!  jaja.... she is pretty cute, I  have to say...I  know that I´m a missionary and not supposed to notice, but its hard not to! when everyone here wears tons of make-up and dresses funny....I guess its just nice to see someone who dresses more like they are from the U.S. and cute... there´s a difference! jaja... OK! I´m done talking about this! Back to missionary mode! But she is really a great investigator... most people here don't read. So to have someone that actually reads what we leave them is pretty awesome... not only does she read, but she studies! and highlights and takes notes! its insane...and it came from the fruits of fasting! legit!
DAD, Thanks for your letter this morning! It sounds like the dunes were pretty awesome. Yeah we didn´t make a turkey but we had our own Thanksgiving where we just ate a ton of food! Elder Brose is starting to like soccer... but you know... pinche gringos no le gusta futbol... but yep! I´m getting something super cool made for our family that you will definitely enjoy! I just don't know when they are going to be done! hopefully soon... but thanks for everything dad! you are the best! love you pops
MUM, thanks for you letter this morning! This week went a lot better numbers wise than last week... We found a lot of good people and we are excited! Thanks for always thinking of me and always wanting the best for me! You always know how to make me happy and always are thinking of creative things to make me happy:) Thanks mum! I love you!
LADY. all I´m gonna say is that you are the best brotha ever. And happy birthday this week! 17 years old! that's pretty legit! love ya brotha. Tell me all about the b day.
L-BEL. it sounds like the dunes were a blast!  Riley really knows how to drive the razor huh? all I have been hearing is that you always had a huge smile on your face! that's awesome! always keep a smile on your face.. I made a goal this week to put the biggest smile on my face when something doesn't go my way... it helps a ton!
BRNNIE TAY. I think that you can't ever go wrong with getting like a freedom t shirt for Austin for his b day... but you know! whatever! It sounds like the dunes have been awesome and that you had fun! love ya!
Thanks for everything and I´ll talk to you soon!
ELDER TTT

Zacamil- Week 18

Hola panchos!
So this week was pretty crappy... numbers-wise... we had like four bad days this week where all of our appointments fells through and all the members that were going to come out with us had sudden changes in plans... but you know, whatever... I guess that happens sometimes... But this week should be a lot better! Its already started a lot better..we played futbol today! The beginning kinda sucked but towards the end, it was awesome. I was basically MESSI! (The best player in the world who plays for Barcelona/Argentina) Anyway, it was a good time.
I did get to use a new toothbrush this week! That was pretty legit... some people burn ties... I have some pretty ugly ones that I don't like, but I decided I'll just wait until my year mark to burn a shirt and a tie...
I also met a Brazilian guy who is so black and so ripped and played for a professional team for El Salvador... basically, I want to be him... I tell people a lot that I want to be black... always have... then all my dreams would come true. jajaja.
So I did get a new pair of shoes this week... for futbol... Elder Coy was letting me use a pair of his... its just that the shoes that I brought (my two pairs of barefoot shoes) they kill my toes when I kick the ball..:) So there is this kid in our stake that can get legit discounts at the Adidas store... so I gave him fifty bucks and he brought me the pair that Messi wears! I was stoked. I definitely didn't expect that, but i was excited. I will have to send a picture. but....... THANK YOU ABUELITOS! I figured they could be for and early Christmas... jaja.. Thanks grandparents.
Elder Brose and I are going to do our own turkey day... considering we are both gringos.... well he's German and I'm English... that's what we say anyway... I cant wait until I'm home and actually get to choose how much food I want to eat. I always feel so stuffed and fat... we eat so much... not because we want to, but because everyone gives us a boatload of food... and its not like you can say no to them... but whatever... I guess I'm just getting prepared for turkey day. Here they don't celebrate Thanksgiving so almost every house already has had their Christmas decorations up! For about 1-2 weeks. Its pretty insane for me... jaja... but i like it:)
So I have had THE FRAY stuck in my head all week... not their newer stuff, but their older stuff... From those summers at Tee'd off golf...Its weird how long that has been... it seems like yesterday When we used to work there... jaja.."everyone know I'm in over my head ..over my head"
Here's a funny story... we went to go visit one of my recent converts this week...I had mentioned to her that I want to be a doctor... she happened to study medicine... so she got on her computer and started to show me some of here power points that she did and what she studied... turns our she had studied the reproductive process of women... she had diagrams... all that stuff is super interesting and stuff, but COME ON! I"M A SODDING MISSIONARY! I already see women feed their  babies on almost a daily basis... but anyway... my comp and I were laughing about that quit a bit... jaja..
I am also reading Jesus the Christ... wow... what a book! I am learning so much about Him... its insane...I am learning a ton!
On a more spiritual note, elder Brose and I had to give talks in church yesterday... it went really well... I was really surprised with how Elder Brose did.. he did awesome. I just talked about the first principals and ordinances of the gospel... it was good!
Also, we have are teaching some culebras right now... we found them through a fake address that someone gave us one fast Sunday... we went to their house to contact the guy and it was a house where three women lived we asked if we could come back and they said it would be alright... we went back and taught them, went back again and only two were there but accepted to be baptized. It almost felt too easy... its just a testimony of fasting... because that fake address that the guy gave us led us to a house where people are prepared and ready... and because they like us, they are doing the things that we want them to do (reading and studying the Bof M) and actually gaining a testimony.. its legit...
One of our families, we are trying to get them to get married... We had a lesson with them this week and we had them write cards to each other of what they felt for the other...It was very successful. I am excited to find out what happens... it was a very different lesson... different than any other lesson I have done... but it went really well:)
Mum, thanks for everything ... i still haven't got my packages yet but I know that they are in the office... so I'm just waiting for the ZL's to bring them to me.... why would I have to wait until the first of Dec? why not the 25? I was just a little confused... but that's OK! don't worry, I'll figure it out :) love you mum
Dad, good to hear that the trade show went well! and it was cool to know that you talked with Neil and stuff... Last week was the first time I had done a session at the Temple here.. it was really a cool experience.. And it sounds like that the tour went well and everyone did good... love you pops
Stee, it sounds like you are really liking the name Patrick, considering the last two letters you said you are going to name your son that... It would be really funny if you only have daughters! jaja... But it sounds like your getting pretty fat as well. me too.. jaja just kidding... but that's cool that you have been biking! keep it up! love you brotha
Ell bell, sounds like things are going good and that you are having lots of fun with your friends! always read your scrips and pray every day! love ya!
Brynnie Tay, I'm glad that everything is going good with you too! Sounds like knitting is going good and that you are all excited for Christmas! stay nice so that Santa will come! the elves are watching! love ya!
I love you all and thanks for everything!
Elder TTT

Zacamil- Week 17

Hola Panchos!
SO today was a good day... I got a haircut... reluctantly...and a pedicure... it was legit. Hermana Lopez does haircuts and pedicures.. she does the haircuts for free and she gave us both a pedicure for 4 bucks. I thought: Deal. So she cleaned up my feet:) I don't think I'll ever cut my own toenails again...jaja just kidding:) Also today, our district went to go try some exotic food. Armadillo, iguana, etc. I didn't eat any... not because I didn't want to because I really wanted to.. but just because it was like 10 bucks a plate for something like that. So I just got a carne asada... and my comp got  armadillo. legit!
So this week, on Friday, I will complete 6 months on my mish... that's legit... I think the thing I'm most excited about is using a new toothbrush. :) You know how they say that you should change your toothbrush ever 6 months? Well, ladies and gentlemen, on Friday I will use my new toothbrush! I'm stoked.
So last week there was a funeral.. Everyone we talked to that day said that we need to be there... so we went. It went well... about as well as a funeral normally goes.. jaja.
I feel like I should explain a little bit about my comp... I think that I have made it sound like I'm having a hard time with  him... definitely not the case... I really do like him! He's an awesome missionary and a really hard worker and has a funny sense of humor. I'm learning a lot from him and it feels almost as though that he's training me more than I'm training him...jaja. I dunno...I think that I have just been missing Elder Coy a little bit... but its all good! My comp is an awesome guy...
So a little bit about the familia Ochoa... I completely forgot about following up about the word of wisdom... so they had been drinking coffee.. Uhh Ohh! Before their baptism... of course... But anyway, the day of their interview, the interviewer asked them about it all and they gave him all of their coffee. I felt really proud of them..It was almost as if they were laying down their weapons of war. Like the Anti Lehi Nephis. I felt so proud of them.. and I let them know it. Then the wife on Saturday told me all about the per-pressure she had been getting from her friends and all that to drink coffee. But she said that she has been withstanding! Normally you have to have them give it up for a while before you can baptize, but the Elder who interviewed them just said that he just felt that they were ready! So that next Sunday morning, we baptized them. It went super well and it was probably my most rewarding  baptism yet... It was so awesome. There is just something different about a whole family. It was awesome!We went to see how they were doing afterwards and their house ever felt different.. They all have the gift of the Holy Ghost!!!! :)
So a few days ago, the cultural event for the temple played again... it was even cooler to see it a second time. I don't know if you all saw it, but maybe it is on lds.org now??? it would be worth it to check it out.
So remember when I said that there was an Elder that looks like Abed from the show called community? Well that Elder is now the AP (assistant to the pres) He is really funny. He came out for soccer in like everything the whole she-bang!.. he had a Manchester United jersey on but it actually looked like he played for Manchester... it was hilarious! It was like he was dressed up for Halloween.. exactly like something that Abed would do. Jaja
We have found a lot of new families. We are teaching like four new families... the only problem is that they all have to get married... its ridiculous. So basically we are going to be pros at putting together weddings... jaja...
So there is still quite a bit of gossip in our ward/stake. It is actually really funny. We had an activity on Saturday and there was some prepared dances that were pretty cool. Then the girl that everyone thinks is my girlfriend got up with a few people and started their dance. I was taking pictures of everybodys acts... .but I turned to look at the audience and like ALL of our ward was looking at me!! I was like, What the bloody hell are you looking at? I guess that was pretty funny, as well... but you know, whatever. I guess I haven't lost any of my skills with the women... jaja  just kidding...
Anyway, thank you for all of your letters and stuff! I was able to watch the videos today...  the song is cool! and Roxy looks tired... but she'll hang in there... :)The shower looks sweet as well!
Anyway, I love you all! I love you mum. I love you dad. I love you lady. I love you L. I love you B.
SALU PANCHOS!
ELDER TTT

Zacamil- Week 16

Hola Familia!
Hey sorry I'm a little late today..I was on the other side of the city like all day today... and the freaking bus took like an hour and a half to get home...  I don't really have much time... so I'll just tell you about today! And if  have some time, some of the sick stuff that has happened these past couple weeks.
Today we went to the temple!!!! So legit... I picked up some stuff in a Spanish session that I had never really noticed in English before... it was awesome. The president came with us as well so that was really cool... I also saw Frank Wall. He is so chivo. He is the only one in 6 months that has called me by my first name... it was a little funky! But He came up and gave me a huge hug and was talking to me about the family and all that. It was really cool to see him. I'm sure he'll be writing someone here pretty soon as well... asi me dijo..jaja.. So, two zones went to the temple today... including the zone that Elder Coy is in! He was waiting for me in the celestial room and gave me a big fat hug as well... I guess this day was just filled with hugs! Then we went and played some Futbol together... the two zones!! that hardly ever happens... jaja It was so darn fun... I swear.. I am the biggest futbol fan now... crazy what eating pupusas can do to you... jaja. But I was thinking.... I dunno what you sent me in my Christmas package, but maybe it would be cool just to send me a little money to buy some soccer shoes????? If not that's totally cool... I will be happy with anything!
Also, thanks for the video! I could only watch one... but that's just because they made me switch computers and this one doesn't have the software to play the videos... que chafa... but I'll see the rest on Monday! its already almost Monday... crazy....
For all you that are wondering, YES! the familia Ochoa got baptized! on Monday I'll tell you a little bit more about that...in my next letter.
Mum, Thanks for your letter and the videos and all that! looks like everything is going great from what I see... To answer some of your questions... I had some oil on my hands in those pictures.. you have to put oil on your hands to make pupusas... jaja.. yes we were making them at the familia Lopez. super buena ondas... But it was really fun! Elder Brose is a legit cook so he taught me a few things one night when we didn't have a dinner date...so this morning, I made myself arroz con leche... soooooo delicious. I like my comp and all... he's really good... I think we just kinda bug each other in a few ways...  but who knows? we could get over it in a couple weeks! There's usually three types of companions that you can have. 1. They'll be like a best friend for the rest of your life. 2. They're nice guys... you sometimes will talk to them after the mish, but its not like type one. and then 3. You just hate em.... but he's good... in the 2 category. I sent a picture of an Elder and me at a zone conference ( multizona) His name is Elder Nicholas Reid... He's legit. He goes home at the end of November.  I have always really looked up to him as a missionary and stuff... He is our zone leader... Anyway.... food for thought:) Also, I did know that there is a futbol team for SLC. jaja  If I had to choose a team for the US, I would say New York or LA. But anyway, I love you mum!
Dad,  Speaking of soccer, I was thinking of making some jerseys for our family. Wanna know who owns the team for New York? RED BULL! their jerseys are legit! So I was thinking that would be cool for our family.. what do you think? I think it would be way funny and super chivo...jaja... I'm glad that the primary is going good... how old are they again? Just gotta keep persevering..  and dude you gotta get back on the bike! hows it going to feel if your son is faster than you after being gone for two years? We don't want that do we? jaja just kidding..love ya pops
Stee. As for your "plan" believe me I have thought about that... jaja!  por eso estaba pensando y estaba curioso sobre la cancion de coldplay, up with the birds! porque le dijo a mama algo sobre eso...si pues... but so you are the strongest person in the school? eres tan humilde tambien... jaja!  I think I'm pretty much the strongest missionary here as well....;)  jaja! but anyway... read your scrips... say hi to people for me.. as well as Bro. Rupp and my home dogs in seminary.. jaja salu
Ellie.. where did you come from? where did my sister go? holy crap that story that you wrote me about was legit... and the way you applied it was even more legit... 2 legit... 2 legit 2 quit. Anyway... thanks ell bell... have a great weekend! talk to you Monday:)
Brynn, you fasted all the way? that's insane... I am impressed... usually what we do is eat a huge breakfast Saturday morning and start our fast Saturday morning... so then we can eat Sunday morning and we are sleeping during the hardest part! crazy... but I'm real proud of you!
I love you all and I'll write you about cooler stuff on Monday! Salu panchos!
Elder T-wizzle wizzle fo shizzle my nizzle bam tizzle tizzle my shizzle pizzle bam bam my pockets are getting full . shizzle shizzle salu.
That was my rap for the day. Love you!

Zacamil-Week 15

HOla Familia
This week went by so fast! and now its already Halloween! Crazy! I liked all the pictures! All of your costumes were funny and the pics of Austin doing the foos-ball was cool also. This morning for p-day, we played some real futbol. It was way fun and I got sunburned, which was legit. I cannot tell you how much of a soccer fan I am now. It is so fun! but anyway... Thanks for all your letters and stuff!
I have to shave everyday now... it sucks... but I guess I'm almost a grown man... but always will be a kid at heart:)
Hey maybe it would be cool if you sent me a memory card full of videos that I can watch on my camera like every time you send a package. That's what this one Elders family does and it is actually really cool! just a thought :)

Last Monday, I ate some corn like the corn from Nacho Libre. I was like..... I was like...... GET THAT CORN OUTTA MY FACE! jaja. It was actually pretty good. Also, we learned how to make pupusas. I'm pretty much pro... My comp really likes to cook a lot. In our mission, we don't cook, but he's still teaching me a lot. I always ask him how they make the stuff we eat and he always knows exactly how its done. So even though we don't cook, I'm kinda learning how to cook! jaja...Also about my comp, he got sick for a day last week. I guess he had parasites in Guatemala in the mtc... poor guy. so I gave him a blessing and now he's all better! SO that's good...
Yeah, so this week passed really fast. Whenever I have weeks like that... well its awesome. I think that I have shared this scripture before, but its passes like a dream... just like it was said in Jacob 7:26. crazy. A few great things happened this week... one of which is that I got a letter from ASH! It was legit. One of my favorite people in the world. She's got a funny sense of humor and inserted a picture from the show community and wrote a quote on the back... I was laughing so hard. But she also said something that was so... cavalita... there's not really a translation for that word, its slang here... but its like... so right on.. hitting the nail perfectly...??? I dunno.. but she was like, "'sorry I haven't really written you. I could use the excuse of saying that I don't have time but this letter took me like 7 min to write... but sometimes its just easier to send prayers rather than letters. So that's what I've been doing:)'' Something like that. But its so true. But just so you know, I understand! I dunno what I'm trying to say... but you know... whatever! cavalita.
Another great thing that happened this week. Remember the familia Ochoa? One about polygamy? Well, we had another really good lesson. Then we went on divisions and I went with the bishop. He answered every one of their doubts/questions with absolute clarity. I learned a ton from him. But as the lesson was wrapping up, we invited them to a baptism of a little girl (I'll talk about her in a min) then we talked about baptism for a min. Then the wife said, ''well can I get baptized tomorrow?" I was kinda thrown off guard!  jaja. But then the husband told a story about a dream he had had and that he knew that the Book of Mormon was true. It was like a dream come true. So then we put the baptismal date for this weekend. YAAAAAYY! Yup... 3 months of working with this family. My first family baptized. I am so excited. 3 months, and its finally happening this Sunday. YAY!

Also, a little girl that just turned 8 got baptized yesterday. Elder Coy and I taught her because her mom was inactive. So technically it was a baptism for the ward, but in my heart, she was mine.. not to say that I baptized one more person... but just because we got to teach her and helped her mom to go back to church. It was awesome. Whenever that little girl sees us she runs at me and yells ELDER THORNTON! and gives me a huge hug.  She has been a huge example for me. She's so sweet.
Also, we found a family this week where the son is a member but the parents are not. We are going to visit them today. The only hard thing is that they only have free Sundays like once every 4 or five Sundays or something... but we'll see.
DAD, I'm glad everything is going good! That's crazy that the tour de Tucson is already here again. And the trade show. I hope everything goes good with that. Have you done the trade show in Europe yet? You need to! We've been talking about it for like two years and you always say next year... jaja. I'm glad you are liking your new calling, it'll be hard but just try to make the best of it:) As for reading your scriptures... just do it in the morning right when you get up. When you are making your shake or something. I found out at college that it quickly became a habit. I would roll out of bed and immediately sit down and study... just try your best:) love you pops!
MUM, HIIII! Thanks for your letter! and your track by track review! Do you think the new Coldplay CD is more like early Coldplay or kinda like the last one with some big songs and some classic coldplay? Just Curious :) Thank you for everything Mum...there's Christmas coming up fast! And I can't wait to talk to you! That's in like two months! Crazy...love you mum! besos
Lady, hey it sounds like you can finally have a little bit of a life now that the foos-ball is over. That's legit. When is winter formal? Who's your date again? chivo. Just remember to keep to the basics with scriptures and prayer... you'd be surprised how much they actually help. love you brotha
L, hey Ellie bellie, sounds like you are having quite the fun time too! having lots of fun with friends! just remember to be nice to everyone... even when that time of the month comes.... jajajajajajajajajajajaja! just kidding ell bell. Have a great week! love ya
Brynn, yours and Ellie's costume was so funny! You and her are quite creative!  They don't celebrate Halloween (dia de brujas) here... but they have a holiday called El dia de Los muertos (day of the dead) on Nov 2. and its where they celebrate and remember all of their relatives who have died and gone to a better place. They celebrate death here rather than be sad. Because they know that they all have a better life after this life. Its a huge blessing for us to know the plan of salvation! Love you Brynny!