Versalles- Week 52

HELLO FAMILY,
This week went all right. We were able to find a brother this week that really knows a lot about the bible. Which was strange, because usually when we find people, they usually don't know much about the bible. But this brother knew more than us. We started lesson one and we were talking about prophets and he said, OK but I want to know what your plan of salvation is. Or I want to know how you can be saved. Because from what I understand, You need to have faith in Jesus Christ, but that's not all, you must repent of your sins, be baptized, receive the gift of the holy ghost and endure to the end. So basically this hermano knew everything about lesson 3, the gospel of Jesus Christ. We finished lesson one and he told  us that he would read the Book of Mormon, and I actually believe him. Sometimes people tell you they will and they don't... Ha. He has some issues with the way we are baptized, but we told him that if the Book of Mormon is true, then it is taught correctly in the Book of Mormon. I hope we can help him get baptized! I didn't bring my bible to that lesson.. maybe I should have... jajajaja! because I have just been proselyting with a Book of Mormon in hand and some pamphlets.. jaja!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAD AND SCOTT!!!!!!!
I got a package! It was one with three ties(that were sick), face stuff, etc.. was that the year box? or the other? who knows... jaja... Burt's bees was quite a novelty:) as well as the stingers:) I probably have enough deodorant to last until the millennium... solo para q sepas..  Everyone  has been converting to the BEN SHERMAN ties that you sometimes send me:) those sick ones from nordstroms rack... Elder Mehr got some as well as Elder Cook(another AZ guy going home in August) all because you send me those:) jajajaja... Those are probably the coolest. I probably will need razors, and more benzoyle peroxide soon.. thank you!
So our zone...we need to become better teachers. so.. in district meetings, that's what we do... teach... I mean, I'm not a great teacher.. but the ones that can really teach understandably is the Elders in the pic I sent... elder mehr, cook and orcutt... the two dl´s and zl´s... anyway... hope we can improve!
So that place where we buy smoothies every night, Try to talk to this lady about the gospel... she basically told us that she was going to convert us to her church(jokingly)... She wanted me to teach her English and I told her that when she invites us to her house(to "teach"...gospel), we would teach English.. then she was like, only if you were a member of my church! you would be a huge impact for my Church! because you work with strategies! jajaja... I am grateful to belong to a church that doesn´t depend on someone like me to be successful... anyway... funny story.
I read the gospels this week... chronologically... not by book... that was really cool.. especially after reading Jesus the Christ:)
I am in the bible... check it out:acts 9:43, 10:6, 10:32.....Simon Tanner
I sent a pic of one day of my planner... it was Saturday... as you can see.. we had many appointments all with a back up plan.. unfortunately, EVERY SINGLE THING FELL THROUGH! so much for planning...right?

I have been baggy for wakeboarding... whatever...
We have found 40 new investigators in the last 3 weeks... guess how many have come to chruch? a big fat 0. finding people is easy... finding people that come to church is another onda
We were talking about converts with a ton of faith in Sunday school with a return missionary... my mind went straight to hermana Elizabeth... that was the most powerful baptism... she is second counselor in the relief society. She should be getting ready to go through the temple soon... that woman had so much faith... so crazy
U2 just came on in the Internet cafe... good memories:) " I still haven't found what I'm looking for"
Multi zona was sick.. about the bungee... I´ll tell you all about it in person.. jajajajaja
Things with my comp are going all right... Its amazing, on your mission how much you learn about what you don't want in a spouse.
Fun fact about El Salvador: you pick up these smells that are just putrid... everyone uses public transportation...funny thing about everyone is that No one uses deodorant...
Thanks for everything! I really love you all! Happy B- day dad.. thanks for everything! Austin, don't fret too much about football.. you are the boss of your body... don't do anything that might make the rest of your life suck... jajaja.. love ya mum! thanks for everything! for the package y todo! have fun at camp.. let dad ride a little bit.. its his birthday week:)
SALU
Elder Thornton

Versalles- Week 51

Tired out, not a miracle in days.
deciders for the lonely
whispering tears.
You try out for nothing then you drop dead.
not a miracle in years
leisure for the lonely
whispering unnecessary unless you´re in
(Phoenix, girlfriend... I think that's how the lyrics go)
That's what I felt this week... it was rough...but whatever... life goes on splendidly!
This week went all right. I felt like we planned super well and everything seemed to fall through. I had some sad experiences this week that got me down a little bit, but I hope I have learned what Heavenly Father wanted me to learn this week. For one, two people we are teaching were very positive at first. They always said that when they got an answer, they would get baptized. Every time we have tried to put a fecha, they flip out(for lack of a better term). So on Saturday, we tried to help them out and ask some questions to try to get to the bottom of it all. Basically, they bore their testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, they know its all true, they dropped coffee from the first time they were taught the word of wisdom, but, by the end of the lesson, they said, "I am not going to get baptized, so you can stop bugging me about it" I have never felt so defeated in my mission. I have never had that kind of experience with someone who has a testimony, and flat out denies baptism. Do you have any ideas on how to help them?
I am blown away time and time again about how the spirit works. I woke up one morning this week a little dis animated from the way this week had been going. Started the day and it didn't start out any different than any other day this week. Citas fall through and backup plans. When that started that day, I felt impressed to go look through the edges of our area and we found some dirt roads/trails that led to some champas(or houses made out of that sheet metal stuff, very poor, dirt floors, etc.) So we traversed through the jungle for about twenty minutes.. then My companion recognized it a little bit and said that he knew that their was member that lived in that neighborhood of champas but from what he understood was pretty sick. We found the house and the wife came out to greet us with the biggest smile. She probably was about 70 years old. She said that she was so glad that we had come so that we could give a blessing to her husband. She invited us in the house and to where the husband was lying. I really have never seen anyone on their deathbed, per se, but this brother was. he could not move or talk, and didn't even noticed when we walked in. His eyes were looking towards the ceiling and his mouth wide open. We got his attention and told him that we were going to give him a blessing. We gave him a blessing. Then the wife wanted to sit him up if it were for just a moment. We helped this brother sit up and the wife gave him a small hug and kiss and some comforting words of affection. I could feel the love that that sister had for her husband like nothing I had ever seen, but it reminded me a lot of the way that my mum and dad treat each other. It was very special. Later it was time to leave and the sister was just so grateful. As we walked back, I thought of the things that had happened and how I had woke up dis animated and how this sister had everything to be upset about and she was just so happy. It really put things into perspective. This morning we got a call from the bishopric and said that he had passed away early this morning. With these experiences and more details not mentioned, I felt like Mary did in Luke 2 when she said, "y guardaba todas estas cosas en su corazón"  Its funny how my thoughts about living here have changed from when I got here to now... I feel like I could live anywhere now... even in a hut in the middle of the jungle.. forever... jaja... something I do miss:carpet. jaja.. But other side note, I seriously absolutely love the people here... I always have... just the thought was reiterated this week:)
I need to write more in my journal...I haven't been writing in it... I write in my study journal everyday... but not my journal journal... I guess I can just use all the letters I have sent home... it has the most important stuff right?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY! AND 1YEAR!
The song two weeks by grizzly bear has been in my head this week... good song.. something that bugs you after being in the mission so long is you can't remember songs anymore... jajaja.
Don't you hate it when you go to the house of an investigator to find a Jehova´s witness at the door? jaja... speaking of that religion... this week we were knocking doors in the rain and one of them let us in their house,,, that was odd... never have I been allowed by a jehova´s witness to enter their house.. jaja.. not so positive... ja!
Had interviews with the pres this week. That was cool... always learn a ton with him... I think that he´ll probably be a general authority before his last days... jaja... but he helped me make plans so that I can constantly keep working at becoming a better teacher. PMG says that the best teachers are always searching for ways to increase their knowledge and abilities... so every week... I gotta work a little bit on just one thing... and just keep doing that forever:) cool beans!
Mum, thanks for everything! I would consider leaving the coldplay shirt there with you guys, but the harmonica you can send:) we have a multizone tomorrow so its possible that I could get a package  tomorrow:) I love you and thanks for everything! ps... yeah weird that no one is going to Utah... but say hi to grandma when you go!
Dad, thanks for everything! its crazy how fast time goes right? Next month, I will have only single digits left... 9! that's crazy and very scary at the same time.. but yeah, like I told you guys a few weeks ago, there´s so much stuff that's hard about the mission that you just don't think about.. one of those things is leaving areas... its like leaving for another mission. sucks... anyway! thanks for everything pops! you are an animal! "yeah i did a century on Saturday,,, no big deal..." jaja! you dog... I love ya pops!
Austin, don't do anything stupid with that shoulder of yours!  d&c 4............ and ¿¿¿¿¿alma 10:1?????  love ya bro
Ellie, I hope all goes well with camp and stuff! UP is also one of my favorites:) love ya!
Brynn! have you heard that vampire weekend song?Called "Bryn" its a good one!  Hope all goes well with so little summer you have left! love ya!
Thanks for everything family! have a good week!
Elder T. Tod Thornton (jajaja)
Btw, a bat flew into our house this week... it landed on my desk one night when the door was open.. I was reading a conference talk... I kinda flipped... jaja!



Versalles- Week 50

Oh Judas....
Sounds like the Lake Powell trip was fun but not one of the best! jajajajaj... problems that  the jerrys fixed and all that.... then Austin with his shoulder... that's cool! I´m sure it hurt a bit, but I feel like one dislocated bone is a million.. I´m sure it doesn´t take long to be able to do stuff, just it´ll be sore for about a week or two..but here´s the good news.... THAT WAS THE LAST LAKE POWELL TRIP I WILL EVER MISS IN MY LIFE! WHOOP! so that's good news....
So I haven't received any packages yet... I am pretty certain that the one year package must have gotten lost, but whatever... some gang guy probably liked what was inside... jajaja... but I do need more face stuff... and can you send me my other harmonica? the one in the black case... not the one that was from great grandpa... please and thank you! Those two pictures are Elder Mehr and I playing our harmonicas for money... jaja...JK! We´ll probably do some more of that today.. the picture from last week was in his apartment. He wasn´t the one I said reminded me of grandpa skelton, but I guess he could be... he´s super funny:) We do have water everyday here... but I still don't really like the area too much.. but you know... costumbre...
So two elders were teaching two people in our area... so we picked up two gifts that should get baptized in two weeks.. 2 bichas... one 20 years old... other 15... but you know... blessings!
Every night for dinner I buy a liquado(smoothie) from this girl... because the members don't give us dinner... and I see here everywhere... I saw here across town this morning... weird... culebra?
I did my first bus contact/presentation this week in this area.. Theres not many big buses to do that in this area, but it went well! The thing is that when you talk in front of like 50 people on a bus, people don't feel pressured to accept the invitation to come by, but when they do accept, its because they are really interested:) it felt really good to preach like that again:)
So the rain has really been coming down in the nights... and the thing is that umbrellas don't really help because there has been wind... so either way you get soaked... jaja., its still bloody hot... jaja
So we have been really been focusing on finding this week.. found 18 new investigators... with some positive families.. the thing is that the majority of the baptisms that I have are from members bringing people to church.. not from us finding people... so Elder Mehr and I are planning a new project: the bomb project. its a project to blow the wards up with excitement for missionary work.. cool beans right? Elder mehr and I are good from brainstorming receiving revelation for our districts:) hopefully we can be comps one day!
We found this one old guy of like 67 years old and he is sick... first we knocked on his door and he was like: I´m catholic... I was like, that's OK- we are just here to share a message and all that... then towards the end he was like: I´m not really catholic I just said that so you would leave.. but you can come back any day you want. So we went back.. we start talking to him and started a lesson.. then he starts going off on all these stories that he´s got. I love older people and their stories. So we listened to him for an hour... but then he was like, sorry,this was supposed to be your thing... but come back next week and I´ll listen to you from 5:30 to 7.. I was thinking... cool! Even though we are not supposed to teach very long... but you know, whatever. cool guy... maybe future bishop?
I am so hungry for study... I really could study like all day.... I want to study all day... I have so many questions and so many things I want to study... but I have a big fear... will this  hunger last? Will I still want to study like this when I am home? I have a big fear that I wont study for like an hour every day... advice? ...
I love you all! Thanks for everything! Sounds like Lake Powell was legit! Plan like at least a two weeker for when I´m back! thanks! jaja...
cool cool beans!
ELDER TTT

Versalles- Week 49

Hellos!
This week went really well. I loved the training meeting we had on Tuesday and I look forward to more put in practice the things that I learned that day. Listening to president is like listening to a general authority... so freaking powerful and so exact or caval. I have already been using a few things I learned and it is working wonderfully!  This week we have been working with the SIMI. Trying to find all the less actives of the ward and try and help them to come to church again. We are finding that a lot of them have moved. Is that normal? I feel that if they have moved, it should not be on the SIMI? But maybe it is because they were less active. But we are filling up our afternoons with that because it is hard to have appointments and find people in the afternoon.
So, a small story and revelation. Elder Mehr is the other district leader in our zone. After the meeting on Tuesday, we tried to meet up with our companions, but we showed up like 45 minutes late at the designated meeting spot. Naturally, our companions went to go work. We didn't know where. We said a quick prayer and decided to go back to Elder Mehrs area. We found out that night that our companions went to go work in my area. That night, Elder Mehr and I had a brainstorm to help our districts and the zone. We came up with a few ideas that I believe to be revelation. First off, we were confident that almost every missionary works hard. But why aren´t we baptizing? We decided that it was a time management issue. Teaching people that do not progress.  People can work all day long and not baptize. We then talked about temptation a little bit. When Adam and eve were in the garden, Satan tempted them in only one thing. To eat the fruit. Why? because it was the ONLY commandment that they had. Satan only tempts us to do the things that Heavenly Father doesn´t want us to do. What are the things that missionaries don't like to do? Knock doors and do LPE or contacts in the streets. Satan does not want us to do the things that will give us baptisms. If missionaries would better use their time finding people that will progress, we wouldn´t be wasting time in lessons of people that wont progress. So to prevent finding people that wont progress, we came up with some good ideas. 1. We DO NOT force find. We do not find to get in the door, we find to baptize. So in my district we have changed the acronym LPE to LPB (lecciones para bautizar). We hope to put these things in practice in my district. As a result, this week our district and zone all did 140 lpb´s and now I really understand the importance of finding and hope to better use my time.
So last week after writing, we go into this little mall thing and guess who I see? TITO! turns out he works all the way out here in no mans land! It was so cool. So I got to talk to him for a while more and we decided that every Monday we would try to eat together. It was way cool. also last week we played some soccer with some locals. They call me Wooney... for Wayne wooney.  I guess he's the best player on Manchester United and England. So that was pretty cool:) Not to brag, but Elder Mehr and I are probably the best gringos that play... these Latins are teaching me whats up:)
So walk into a house for a lesson and see like 30 seconds of X games? so sick.. 
This week we have used Mosiah 18 : 8-10 to challenge people for baptism... que os impide ser bautizado. Its what we did to get hna Elizabeth baptized so long ago in my first area(she is a counselor in the relief society now:)) what keeps you from being baptized?

Last night I went into surgery.. for my ingrowns... didn't finish until this morning.. I started limping when I was walking this week and I had finally had enough... so I took I knife to it... I feel a lot better now:) The other one I got out a long time ago but it still hurts a bit. Its just that when I go to these places to get them taken out, they just come back.. so I decided to see what happens if I rip it out... it can't be worse than what these Latins do...jajajaja:)
So I called Elder Winter this week because they had a baptism on Saturday and I wanted to see if it went through. He is still in his area killing it. It was good to talk to him... it seems like its been a long time... when its only been like 2 weeks.. jaja... We miss singing the shins together... jajajaja. But he said that he went on divisions with Elder Rivas this week and was talking to him and stuff.. he said that Elder Rivas said, man, I miss Elder Thornton so much. I learned so much from him............ and stuff like that... Anyway, That was so nice to hear- I loved my trainer so much and I wanted or hoped that those who I have the privilege of training feel the same about me. :) I almost cried... because I loved that guy... hes kinda different, but I haven´t had a comp that i have worked so well with... he's awesome. Also, Elder Winter told me about a family that we had found when we were together. Its a family and the wife was explaining to them about how she is having difficulties with her family because they don't want her to take the lessons and stuff... then Elder Winter asked her about the Book of Mormon, and if she had been reading and praying.. she said yes... then he asked how do you feel? she looked up at Elder Winter and said, its true... i know it is................... it was just really cool because I found that family with him... I know exactly how they are and who they are. It just makes you happy to know how things turn out when you leave:)
district picture... no hermanas... my comp is in the middle with slicked back hair... when i told elder winter who my comp was, he was like: pres told me that we train our comps not only for the mission.. but for life.. then he was like, if you can teach your comp anything, teach him to change that hair do! jajajaja! I was cracking up:) My comp is getting a little better... we improved a lot this week... I hope to continue getting better and improving:)
Scott wrote me this week.... I am going to try everything to write him this week, but just let him know that I appreciate it:) I´ll get a letter out within a week:)
We are teaching a family Ramirez... they are awesome... a chosen family... I did an example with them with seven coins. then I say, now give one to God... then I put forth the example that they want to buy something.. but they need seven coins... they only have six... the other coin sits there in their face, but they never want to take it... why? I ask. because I gave it to God, they say. Then we draw the connection.. the seventh coin is the sabbath day... its Gods day.. we can use it, if we want, but we are taking it from God.. God asks us to come to church. Are you going to use the day in a way that's pleasing unto him? This family was amazed at what the sabbath day was and is coming to church this week:)
Thanks for everything! I love you all! Sounds like the COLDPLAY CONCERT WAS AWESOME! lucky.... have fun at my favorite place in the world!
Elder Thornton

Versalles- Week 48

Whats up family!
So this week has been long and short at the same time. First of all, on these computers, I cant send pictures... sorry! i'll try my best to find a way to send pictures... but the number one news of the week is that Stanly got baptized on Tuesday night! The night before I left! I was able to baptize him. I felt honored that he wanted me to do it..talk about a baptism at the last minute right? but I gave a little talk as well.. it was hard... like a lot of my ward was there.. and it was kinda like a goodbye talk.... I was kinda teary eyed and Stanly and Ruth were both crying... Valle nuevo/Ilopango was definitely my best area... out of two... jajajaja! It was really hard to leave. Like everyone tells you that the mission is hard... and its true.. but no one tells you about the hard stuff like leaving an area... watching missionaries go home(elder coy finished on wed)... dropping investigators when they don't progress... leaving investigators because you had changes.... (how I felt with the familia quintanilla) its tough!... but at the same time, the mission is easy... in a different way..

Elder Rivas was a great companion... I taught with him better than any other companion I have had... he is really intelligent and we taught well together...
Now I am in Nuevo Lourdes(area, ward) Versalles (zone) its a lot closer to the ocean... so that means heat....its more out in the country.. but we are in a developed area... that's the first thing I noticed driving here... you could feel the difference in temperature...but I kinda feel like I wont be here so long??? don't know why... but we'll find out. My comp is Elder Garcia from Mexico city... he's alright.... he has the same amount of time in the mission as me... he is very quiet and timid...but at the same time doesn't let me speak a lot in lessons... but we will work it out...
So I have had a fever for the past couple days... and the only prescription is more cowbell!.. theres lots of cows here... but  no bells... jaja..
Elder Mehr is here in versalles! so that's good news... he is the DL in the other district:)
Thinking about this time last year, I was in the MTC... thinking that time went so darn slow... its weird.. I read in my journal and know exactly what went on those days so long ago... then I think back exactly two years ago... I was at Lake Powell with the Cowley's. That was the summer that I spent like 3 and a half weeks at Lake Powell.. best summer of my life(besides mission) because its the best place on earth!
Church yesterday was interesting... because it was like in a house... our building is getting remodeled... making it bigger... don't know why because hardly anyone goes... in my other area, attendance was like 180.. yesterday it was 87.... just a huge difference from what I was used to... but I'll adapt. I feel like I am basically re opening an area, because we don't really have any investigators... but you know, whatever... I just gotta figure out what I am suppose to learn here and do what I am suppose to do..
So this Internet cafe has a big TV in the back connected to a computer with a whole bunch of music videos on it... right now, areosmith has been playing for about 15 min.... but there are like four coldplay music videos... I think I almost cried at the crescendo of Fix You... then he runs into the stadium. I got the chills.. That was the coolest concert. I think I felt the spirit when they played fix you... jaja... best night of my life. So mum and dad, ENJOY IT sodding tossers! yes get me a sick shirt por favor! you lucky ducks... then I heard speed of sound... I remember the first time I heard that song... I was with Hunter going to school in junior high and they had played it on Saturday night live... then that summer we worked at T'd off... jajajaja...
So I've  got a good question for all of you.... I want stories of blessings that you have received from keeping the commandments... more specifically, the word of  wisdom, the law of chastity, tithing and sabbath day. please and thank you!
So sick about lance going Pro.... I want to be him.... how old is he? can I go pro? Oh the unknown...I want to go prooooo! (nacho libre)
 I love you all! thanks for all your letters and support and prayers!
Tanner