August 26th, 2013

Que dice! well this was an interesting week I was asked to speak in Church! I was asked oh about 5 min. before church started. So I had about 25 to 30 min. to prepare a talk. Now that really isn't a lot of time to prepare a 10-15 min talk (especially when you don't speak spanish very well). But I humbly accepted and went back to my seat and began to listen. I wasn't listening to the meeting, in fact I really wasn't listening at all. Instead I was praying and pleading with my Heavenly Father for HELP!!! As I prayed I listened, I listened hard. I needed help and I needed it right then and there. As I thought of what I should talk about, the impression came to me to read in Helaman 5. I read Helaman 5:12.
"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

I felt inspired to talk on our savior Jesus Christ. I read about how Jesus was born of a virgin mother, and how he lived a perfect life and atoned for all of our sins. I spoke that we must build our foundation on the perfect teacher, and how we can follow him by repenting, being baptized, receiving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. I spoke how we can return to live with him and our Father in Heaven thanks to the Atonement. I then finished with my testimony of the Savior. I felt I had done a decent job when I had finished. Everyone afterwards kept coming up to me and telling me how good a job I did. But I almost feel like they are only saying that because my spanish is ehhh. But then I thought to my self that the Spirit is who testifies of the truth. I know I felt the Spirit when I testified of our Savior. I know that they all felt the spirit.

Afterwards also I asked Elder King how I did and he said I did good. He said that I said something funny. He said that I said that the Devil throws his taxes at us. haha.

But it's all good

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that he appeared before Joseph Smith and through Joseph Smith he restored his Gospel once again on the Earth. I know that he lives and that he loves each and everyone of us individualy. I know that through him all mankind might be saved.

I almost forgot. I also have been sharing a story of my biggest Hero in my life. It's interesting how we have ficticious heros like Iron man, or Batman. But the biggest heros in our lives should be the people who we know and Love. One of the biggest Heros in my life apart from my mom, is my Dad. He is truely a Nephi in these later days. I say this because of Nephi 16. Nephi and his family were doing everything right living the gospel responding to the Liahona. When a trial comes up. Nephi breaks his bow. His family starts to murmur but not Nephi. Nephi acts on this trial and makes a bow of wood. This is like my biggest Hero with his MS. My dad got this disease unexpectedly. But what he did is what amazes me. He acted on this trial. And he continues to act. He is my inspiration and I want to grow up to be like him.

Elder Thorpe

August 19th, 2013

Hello Utah! or wherever you are reading this! This past week was super awesome! We have these awesome investigators who want baptism. Our first lesson we didn't even talk about baptism and after the lesson I felt the spirit so strong and they asked if Elder King and I would be here for their baptism. We said claro! haha. They truely are awesome. They are living with a member family who is progressing a lot. Our investigators have been progressing a lot the only problem is we are helping the husband overcome his addiction of coffee. But the truth is it's going to be easy for him. He is the one who wants this the most he has what is truely needed a broken heart and a contrite spirit. They also came to church and stayed for all of it. They have a baptismal date for the 31 of Aug. or the 1 of Sept. Which are the last days of Elder Kings mission. We are super happy for them and super excited for their baptism. I feel everytime we leave the house happy. It's almost like something I can't even describe. I know its because I am where my Heavenly Father wants me and I am doing what he would want me to do.

Some other awesome news our old investigator Antonio. Well he wants to get baptized and is going to classes to quit his smoking. He keeps coming to church every week and Im sure that he will be able to be baptized by the 31 of Aug. or 1 of Sept. Things are looking good here in Oasis!

I know that the lord truely is blessing me here!

Elder Thorpe

Chosen by God to serve him below,

To ev'ry land and people we'll go,

Standing for truth with fervent accord,

Teaching his holy word.

August 12th, 2013

I think I have really developed a love for mangos. Oh how I love my mangos! Haha well this week was an interesting one. It's been getting much easier to only speak in spanish, although I have the temptation to sometimes talk in english. It's just so hard. You would think it would be harder to speak only in spanish if I had a latin comp. well it wouldn't because he can't speak ENGLISH!!! The fact that my companion is American and can speak english makes it even harder for me to speak in spanish.

Anyways we have been teaching this young married couple who are living with some really awesome members of our ward. In fact they are probably one of the few families in the ward here that are actually reading the Book of Mormon every day. BTW did you know that reading the Book of Mormon everyday is a commandment of God. SO then why are people not reading the book. I believe that it is because we lose focus on our goal. But what is our goal. What our goal should be is to live in the presence of God with our families for ever!!! I know that it's some times hard to pull out the book and dust it off and read it and I might just be acting as a stubborn missionary looking out for the salvation of other people. But I know that everyone has at least 15 min. of the day open. Even the most busiest man in the world has 15 min. of his day to read the Book of Mormon. We have the time we just need to find it and use it. One thing that I would suggest is to write this phrase that I thought of to write in my LDM. "ThePower of this Book lies in its Use." If you need a little reminder put the book in a place you will see it. Like on your pillow (to read before you go to bed.) on the table (to read while you eat your breakfast) or even if you have to, put the book in the fridge. Whatever helps you the most do it.

I know that I'm probably going off too much because I'm on a spiritual high. But I know that the power of the Book of Mormon really changes lives. I know this because it has changed mine. I think the first time I really took the Book of Mormon and really read it (searched pondered and prayed) was while I was in the MTC and the first few weeks here in Mexico. It changed my life. And I know that it changes the hearts and lives of those who are willing to read it learn of it and apply it in their lives. I know that with all my heart that it is true and that Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. I know that through him the fullness of the Gospel was restored. I know that those who endure trials and pray humbly to God, will have help sent to them, like the savior said "I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my ^cSpirit shall be in your hearts, and mine ^dangels round about you, to bear you up."

I'm glad to hear that all is going well at home! I love hearing from every one and am so happy to have all of you apart of my life.

I have truely been blessed.

Elder Thorpe

First baptism!!!

Day of service helping move all these bricks.

August 5th, 2013

Hola!!! So I had a pretty awesome week! We started off by teaching a new family that are investigating the Church. They are super awesome and they have a baptismal date for the 24 of Aug. They are super awesome and even told us that they were wanting to get baptized in the LDS church. So they are looking like some pretty solid investigators. Oh and they are living with a member family who are super awesome. We have been working super hard with more members and I think its strengthening the Ward and helping the area to improve.

We had interviews with the President as well this past week. But first La Hermana instructed us on how to work out correctly and stay clean in the house. When it was my turn to be interviewed by the President I was a bit nervous because I still can't speak spanish very well. But I went in and I could understand him (even though he speaks really fast.) and he could understand me (or so I think). He told me that Elder King and I have a new rule. Him and I can no longer speak in English!!! Let me tell you its been quite a bit of a struggle these past like 5 days! But I can see how much it's been helping me with my spanish. In fact a lot of the Members are telling me that I am speaking a lot better spanish. Its also crazy how much spanish I understand as well. I think the hardest part for me now is speaking, because now I feel that I understand a lot more.

It made me think of one of my favorite sections in D&C 46. It talks about some of the spiritual gifts that God gives to his Children. I love verse 26 though it says: 26 And all these ^agifts come from God, for the benefit of the ^bchildren of God.

Now for the big news of the week.....I had my first baptism!!! Its actually a really cool story we weren't even teaching Victoria. We were teaching her less active sister and her family that she is living with. The family she is living with started coming back to church and later Victoria came up to us and said she wanted to be baptized. Victoria is different and special. She has the age mentality of a 10 or 11 year old. But we still taught her and she passed! I baptized her and we will confirm the gift of the Holy Ghost next Sunday!

I love all of you and miss all of you!

Hope is like the beam of sunlight rising up above the horizon of our circumstances. It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn.

-Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Elder Thorpe

July 22nd/29th, 2013

We have been having problems getting emails sent so this is for the past two weeks.

Dear other side of the fence,

It's been really hot in Juarez. Our area really is starting to improve which is awesome. I've been participating a lot more and teaching almost half the lesson in well Spanish obviously. We have 3 new investigators who are flippin sweet. One is going to be baptized this next Sunday and the other is a new family who we are going to put a date with on Tuesday. Elder King and I are pretty positive that they will be baptized soon as well. It's been a mixture of a lot of rain and a lot of heat. So its been pretty humid here which stinks because all of the mosquitos are coming out. I have quite a bunch of bites on almost every limb. Thats ok though because we got some insence raid thing that keeps them out of our house at night when we sleep. One thing that's pretty sweet is we caught a scorpion that died two hours later ha ha, I'll send a pic. Elder King got sick and I had to give him a blessing. Later a member family brought us a red velvet cake so the Lord must have known that cake would help ha ha.
One thing I really have not liked is we go on divisions almost every week. It's almost ridiculous. I feel like I have 4 different companions.
Anyways Ive been reading a lot of past GC talks. Especially by Holland and Bednar. I think I like those two the best. I was reading a talk by Elder Bednar about revelation and I think it's interesting how he compares revelation to light. The first example is turning a light on in a room immediately illuminating the once dark room, it's like receiving an answer right then and there and the other was like the sun rising over the horizon. It's slow and gradual. It's like receiving revelation over time. Sometimes in life I feel like the sun is taking forever. But it's not on our time its on Gods. One thing I learned in the MTC that I really like is if you want to talk to God get on your knees, If you want God to talk to you open your scriptures. Not all our answers can be answered from the scriptures but it helps answer a lot of questions we have. Like Elder Bednar said in a talk in the MTC if you read the Book of Mormon seeking an answer to a question. By the time you finish the book your question will be answered. Thats why I love the Book of Mormon so much because it answers questions. It was written for us in our days not for anyone else.

Two years seriously seems like a long time! But it will all be worth it!

Elder Thorpe

Les extrano

July 15th, 2013

As I Have Loved You Love One Another

This past week I have learned quite a bit about the importance of not looking at people as they are now but as they may become. This has been something hard for me to learn. Especially because of the circumstances of the area I am in. I know that the ward that I am in has potential to change. Its going to take alot of work but its possible.
I have been trying to pay more attention to the promptings of the spirit as well. This week I felt like I have been listening to a little bit of Heaven as I have tried to pay more attention to the Spirit. I love reading the scriptures and listening to the what I am about to be taught.

This past week we have also been watching some Mormon messages as well. It's incredible how much the church is using technology. I actually really love that they are using it this much. My favorite video I saw was called Origin. Its about a girl who is seeking the truth. She quotes a lot of JS history, and its really cool. I feel a lot of people are confused today just as Joseph Smith was. With all these religions which one is right. Just like him we need to pray to know of the truthfullness.

I know this Church is true. I know this work is right. And I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Elder Thorpe

July 8th, 2013

So far this past week has been pretty awesome. We taught two less active families, and one of them says that they want to get sealed in the temple! Both families came to church and it sounds like they are going to keep coming to church. For the 4th of July we got burgers from a friend of ours and headed up to the roof of our house. We could barely see over all the lights but in the distance (since we live close to the border) we could see fireworks in El Paso. Sitting there watching the fireworks made me so proud to be a citizen of a free country. I thought back on the scripture in 2nd Nephi where the Lord promised Lehi that this land would be blessed and that those who lived in righteousness would prosper and live free to worship. And then I also thought of one of my scripture heros! Captain Maroni! I love reading in Alma about him and Lehi and Teancum. They had such a desire to live and worship freely. Like the title of Liberty says we will fight for our homes or wives and our children and our religion. I was a proud American watching fireworks in Mexico haha. So on Sunday the ward had a party because one of the sisters was having her birthday. One of our investigators even went to the party which was awesome because our ward members need to get to know the investigators we have. Most of the time though the jovens (returned missionaries/future sister missionaries) were just talking to me and trying to say things in English but I was mainly talking to them in Spanish which was pretty crazy!

I can definitely see the Lords hand in my everyday life! He is helping me to be strong and work hard. He is helping me with my Spanish and he is helping me learn.

Love,
Elder Thorpe