April 7th, 2014

Hey Fam!

So this week was a long one! I was in Juarez for almost the entire week, but I'm super grateful for the time that I had there because I learned so much! I first got to Juarez and they told me I wouldn't get my new companion until Wednesday. So for the first two days I was hanging out and working with the Secretaries. It was legit! WE GOT TO GO TO COSTCO! Imagine not going into a Costco for a year and then going into one, can you imagine my reaction (don't worry I took pictures haha) But I really learned how to contact people really well in Juarez. It was good practice because there are lots of people in Juarez to talk to! Wednesday I had my trainer training meeting and they basically told me things I aready know because I trained already. Then the Assistants said we were going to do splits and I went with Elder Ellis and my Comp with Elder Cruz. This is when I really learned how to talk to people. In three hours of working with Elder Ellis we contacted 30 people! It was such a great time and I learned so much.

I've actually started to get pretty good at contacting now. That is one of the things I wanted to do better in Casas because there really aren't a lot of people. You have to talk to everyone in your sight. It's like what Elder Ballard said, ¨Missionaries if you want more people to teach you need to talk to more people.¨ That is something that I put into practice this week well three days of working in our area. On Sunday is when we really had success, but This week from talking to people in the street we recieved 8 new people to teach. The key really is to smile and be positive, who can turn down two 18, 19, 20 year old kids with a big smile on their face in Juarez or Casas! I love talking to people now and getting to know new people. 

So my new Comp. his name is Elder Borgel, he's from the state of Mexico and he is the BEST! He didn't start out like Elder Hernandez, serious, doesn't talk a lot. He is super excited and we connect very well. He is going to teach me how to use my feet so I don't look like an idiot when I play soccer haha. I'm super excited that we are companions!

So I was super excited for General Confrence and then we got to the Stake Center and it started and then I remembered how much I hate listening In spanish. I loved it all though. I kind of wished Holland would have gone in the later sessions just because I love to build his talk up, but I loved it anyways. This was such an awesome General Conference. I learned so much and I loved the fact that so many talked specifically to the youth. As I was taking notes everytime someone said something about the youth at the end I wrote (Youth). In these later days it's important that the youth stay strong and be not moved. Like Lehi taught to his sons Lamen and Lemuel.

8 And it came to pass that he called the name of the river, Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof.

 9 And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the ^afountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness!

 10 And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, ^afirm and ^bsteadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!

1 Nephi 2:8-10

Well I love you all and pray for everyone of you every day!

Con mucho AMOR!

Elder Braiden Thorpe

Elder Thorpe and Elder Valesquez at Costco in Juarez, Mexico

Costco 

Elder Borgel and Elder Thorpe