Promise

This week was absolutely amazing. It started out with me last Monday going to the top of this tower. I felt the spirit really strongly. I was looking over Motherwell in the East and Hamilton in the West. I could even see to Craignuek in the south and Bellshill in the North. I felt, really strongly, that I needed to pray. I felt so good as I prayed. I know that God answers prayers. I had a renewed zeal about my work. I was ready to hit this week hard.

Tuesday we had several appointments made. Every appointment held! it was amazing. We got 3 new investigators just that day. They are solid. We went over to a members home thinking the husband was just less active but it turns out he is a nonmember. I will call them the Jefferson's to protect their identity. The Jefferson's remind me of an investigator I taught in Portadown, Chris Stevenson. He is an amazing man. He is a Scotsman who is into blacksmithing and he has a ponytail and a beard. This week Chris was Baptized in Portadown. I am so happy for him. I have been blessed to find out that 3 of the people that I had taught in Portadown have been Baptized: Chris Stevenson, Zach McTammy and Tatianna. 

anyway so that was great. Wednesday was amazing as well. All of our appointments fell through though. As we were finding we taught someone on the spot and taught a couple other lessons. That night we only had like 30 minutes after getting home from a members and we were looking at the street we had planned to chap (tract). It looked too far away. We decided to go to it because we had already planned for it. We saw a guy holding a hawk so I went up and started to talk to him about Falconry. I told him that my next door neighbor back home, Zach Fossum, was a falconer. He was pretty excited and we walked him home. He invited us in and we taught a lesson. The spirit was strong. I think his hawk even felt it.

Thursday was all Scotland and that was awesome. I got to see a lot of friends that I haven't seen in a long time. The rest of the week was full of miracles. There were so many I won't tell you them all. I am just so happy though. 

Just happy to be on the Lords Errand. "Shall we not go on in so great a cause?" I love you all. Sorry there are no pictures this week. Keep it real

Elder Thayne

Miracle/Spiritual Thought

This one will be short because I don't have too much time.

Miracle:

So this week has been pretty good. So as you know we have been focusing on member missionary work. We have been doing quick drop in's with people that are in the area that we are working in. We were in one particular members house this week when we got an impression that we needed to go visit a LA. We had never seen her in the 8 weeks that we had been in Motherwell. We looked her up on the map and found out she lived just around the corner. We went to her house but no one was home. We left a note and walked away. We started GQing and got some cool people that we are going to be meeting up with. Then the Less active that we went by was driving and she saw us in her car. She pulled over and we started talking. She said that she has 2 sons that she wants us to start teaching the lessons. We were so excited. We will be meeting up with them this week. if you could pray for the Ritchie family I would really appreciate it.

Spiritual Thought:

I have been thinking about prayer lately as well. I have been reading 3 Nephi 19. I was wondering why we pray in the name of Christ. In the bible dictionary it says when we pray in his name our desires are his desires, our wishes are his wishes and his word is in us. I want to refer to prayer like you are sending a letter. We all know who we are sending this letter too so at the top it says, "Dear Heavenly Father." The Holy Ghost is the Mail Man who gives you Gods letters and takes your letters to God. In 3 Nephi 19:24 it talks about how we know what to pray for through the Holy Ghost. This Knowledge will give us righteous desires. When we end our letter we write Jesus Christ's name instead of ours. In 3 Nephi 19:23 Jesus prays unto the Father for us. When our desire and wishes are his desire and wishes it is as if he is sending the letter himself. When we pray Like this: To the Father in the name of Christ and by the power of the Holy Ghost our prayers will always be answered. We will receive our desires. The Post man came to us and told us what God's will. We begin to write a letter back to God. Before you give it to the post man to send off you pass it off with your mediator. He looks over it with a careful eye. When he knows that you letter expresses his will, he will sign his own name at the bottom. He says in affect, "Father I have read over this request. This is my desire as well. Please grant unto them their desires." I know that when a totally pure son who has never done wrong in his life, who has always done his fathers will, asks something of his father, he will be answered. Our prayers are always answered when in Christ name. 

Love you all. I am so happy to be hear. Sorry there wasn't too much today.

Elder Thayne

Now is the time...to unite!

This last week was great. We handed everything about East Kilbride off to the new sisters there and left. wow it is nice that we don't have to worry so much about 2 wards any more. I am proud of the sisters, they are really working hard and they are not getting down when discouraging things happen. One of the greatest things about them though is that they ask for help when they need it. It is great because that is how we can unite as a district.

This last week has been a lot work. We have been trying to visit as many members as we can if we are working in their area. We got a map and the ward directory and marked where everyones house was. We would call by if we were near them and share a wee thought, ask for referrals and leave them with a commitment. We did the Family Mission Plan with the Tailors, our gospel principle's teachers. We are just trying to help people catch the fire. 

There is a analogy that Karl Monson-Elvic told us last week. Tigers are known to be shy when there are humans around. If they can somehow get a taste of man though, then suddenly they become more bold and they want more so they will wonder into villages looking for some more. If we can get the members to taste missionary work then they will catch the vision. They will become more Bold and they will seek out opportunities to share this glorious message. We want members to be man eating TIGERS!

Wasn't this last conference inspiring? Elder Oak's and Elder Anderson's talks weer great. All about member missionary work. Some of the things they said were almost exactly what Elder Agafonov and I would talk about. I loved it so much. It really confirmed my feelings and our actions about the work in this area and this district. We are really going to be working member missionary work whenever we can. I know that we have been led in this direction for a purpose and I am so thrilled that I am finding it out a little bit at a time. 

I love the mission. The message we teach is one of forgiveness and healing. It will improve a life that seems perfect anyway and turn it into something better. The atonement is real. I know that it can help the entire human family. Would you all do me a favour? would you look for  a missionary oppurtunity this week and report it to a friend or a parent? I promise that the spirit will be in your life more. Go in faith and you will see. Go get'm TIGER.

Elder Thayne

Called to Swerve

Fountain of Living Water

Less is More

So this week has been an amazing one. We have been tested and we have seen the hand of the Lord. It started with an incerdibly spiritual district meeting where 2 districts joined together. Elder Lindsey and Elder Horneburger, 2 of my really good friends, gave their last testimonies to us before they went home. The spirit was there and it told everyone individually something they needed to hear.

We had a really good day planned for Thursday in Motherwell. We were on the bus going to find when we got the impression that we didn't need to be there. We got off the buss and crossed the street and jumped on another. We felt like we needed to go to East kilbride. We got there and started finding. It is a hard place to find because there isn't really any place where lots of people are, but through the grace of God we were able to set up 5 appointments for the next day. We found this guy named John and pulled him into the library and taught him. Turns out he was taught by missionaries years ago and he loves the mormons.. The spirit was there and we met with him the next day. He brought all of the family history that he has done. He even had his parents, grandparents and great grandparents on temple cards and all of their ordinances were done. Now all he needs to do is help himself so we set him with a date to be Baptized. It was quite a miracle.

MORNING WORKOUT: Elder Agafonov and I wrestled for Morning exercise. Have you ever wrestled a russian? it is like wrestling a bear. Afterwards we had to put the beds and couches back in place.

Sunday came around and we got our  moves call. We are staying together in Motherwell. Sisters will be moving to East kilbride, which is good because the East kilbride flat is way too girly. I will be the district leader. It will be sad to not be teaching any of our people in East Kilbride anymore but that is ok. We were preparing it for the sisters. The good news is now we don't have to cover 2 wards so we can focus more on Motherwell, but now I am district leader so I guess I have more responsibility. Hence LESS is MORE.

Well I want you to know that this church is true. I know that it is the little things that we do that determines whether we have light in our lives. It is the littles choices that prove whether we will be intune enough to hear and listen to the spirit. I want you to know that the greatest feeling you can have is to listen to the spirit and do what it tells you to do. You know without a doubt you are doing the Lords work. His approval trumps every taunt or mock that the pride of the world can throw at us. I Love the Restored gospel. I know that Jesus is my personal redeemer. I love you all. 

Elder Thayne

Lead Hills

So this week has been pretty interesting. It has had really high points and really low points. It has had a lot of funny points also. The problem is whenever I try to think of the funny points so I can tell yous I can never remember them. Lots of them you would just have to be there. 

Elder Agafonov and I were on the train back from Glasgow when we got a call from a random guy named James asking for a Book of Mormon. It was awesome. We went to his place and while we were teaching him he said. "I am christian and everything but I think that I need to be Baptized. Do Mormons do Baptisms?" haha Yeah we do. So everything was going really well, sadly he wasn't able to make it to Church but we will continue to help him. pray for him.

Sadly William, the miracle from last week dropped us like a bag of rocks. Turns out he was in a mental hospital and when we tried to go there they kicked us out because they thought we were more mental than the people in there. 

Our guy, Paul, who was progressing really well also dropped us. So we have had some discouragement this week but that is ok because we aren't discouraged. If we fail to get a baptism for a month or 2 why should I worry? Let Satan worry, he is the guy who is going to be paying for it later on. As long as we are faithful we will never fail. I know that for a fact. 

We had a couple connections this week that linked back to my time in Dunfermline. We visited Jean Black in East Kilbride and it turns out that her sons family is the only family in Glenrothes that I know because I ate at their house while on exchanges while I was the District Leader there. This Sunday the McDonalds came from Dunfermline and I just saw them in church. They came a brought me a big bag of food. I love those guys. They are great members and awesome missionaries.

Shout out to Afton who turned 15. She will be getting her Permit soon. Grayson turned 18 last week as well. It is  crazy how grown up they are. Hope you guys had great Birthdays. I love you both.

We were able to hang out a bit this week with Alex Jacksons family. We went to the Lead Hills on Monday for P-day and we did some Garden work on Saturday. I think we are becoming good friends. They are an awesome family and want what is best for Alex. I think they like the Mormons now, when before they didn't know much about us except what they heard from neighbors. 

Sorry this email is messy and it doesn't have much format. But I want you all to know that I love this work. I love sharing the gospel. I seek for the times when I can boldly declare my testimony even when people take me to be a thing of naught. I am so chuffed (proud) of the gospel I declare. I love the restoration and what it has done for the world. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I know that Jesus Christ suffered for my sins and he rose from the grave so that someday I can as well. I love you all. I hope you have a great week. Keep it real.

Elder Thayne

As you wish stunt (from Princess Bride Movie)

So these are pictures from last P-day. We went to the Lead Hills. 

Fresh water stream. it is so clean you can just drink it.

There is a ancient sheep hold. 

Arm of flesh...or arm of GOD?

So this last week has been awesome. I have loved it. It has had ups and downs. We have been working are and trying to go on splits so we can get more done in a week. I think Sunday will put the cherry on top for this story.

Yesterday we were on splits and I was with Alex Jackson, a recent convert of five months. We had just come from the Eastkilbride ward and got dropped off in Hamilton. We were walking up to Hamilton town center. I was telling him how we aren't allowed to watch movies as missionaries. Apparently someone over heard us and started to follow us for 15 minutes until we came to the place where our appointments was being held. after waiting for our potential for five or so minutes, this person that was following us got up the courage and came from around the corner to talk to us. I thought he wanted to bash at first but he was full of sincerity. He told us how he over heard us talking about how missionaries don't watch movies and for some reason that inspired him. His name is William. He was on his way to buy a bible when he over heard us. We asked William if we could sit down. We talked to him and he shared about his history. The Lady we were waiting for never showed, but we were able to set William with a baptismal date for the 30th of September. He now has a Book of Mormon. He is looking forward to us meeting with him on Wednesday. As he was walking away he said, "You will be there, right? I am going to hold you to that." I have always dreamed of someone I could teach that would hold me to my commitments. 

Please pray for him he is such a good guy. 

Sorry no time today. Pray for Paul as well. Pray for the Eastkilbride and Motherwell Wards. I love this work.

Elder Thayne

So this is a park.

Me Ethan, Nathan, Braden and Bishop smith. (Motherwell Bishop) 

Sweet sunrise this morning. (no filter on the camera)

2 Area's 2 phones 2 miracles

So this week I said that we had 2 miracles. The truth is we have way more than 2 miracles but these ones are special. Elder Agafonov and I have to work in 2 different wards, Eastkilbrid and Motherwell. We have 2 phones so that is nice for the work. 

The start of the week was really good. We had zone interview training and that was really good. I gave training on 12 week (extra hour for comp study for new missionaries). haha it was funny because me and my trainee right when we got together agreed that 12 week was a waste of time so we just worked through that time. After studying for my training and talking to my leaders about it I have repented haha. It really is a great program to help missionaries get prepared. Abraham Lincoln said if he had 7 hours to chop down a tree, he would sharpen the ax for 4 hours and chop it down for the rest. We need to be in tune with the spirit and know how to lead a lesson if our work is going to make a difference in people's lives.

Ever since I have been in the Motherwell area I have really wanted to work hard with the members. I think that this ward has crazy crazy potential. It just takes them seeing their capacity and working for this growth. I think that this week was a lot of groundwork in member missionary work. I am excited to see many doors open for the missionary work here.

Miracle 1

Friday we went to Eastkilbride. It was our first  time there since Elder Agafonov and I have been together. It was really good. We were able to teach a referral from the Zone Leaders. His name is Scot and he is 28. He came from a really rough part of Glasgow. While he was growing up it was the city with the highest murder rates in the world. He has some scars and some bad habits but he wants a new life. He wants something better than what he has got. When we met with him it was a good lesson lead by Elder Agafonov. He has accepted a date to be baptized on the 18th of September. If you could all pray for him that would be great. Eastkilbride is also ready to explode. Because of other missionaries work we have 2 people with a date there and we have only been there twice.

Miracle 2

Elder Agafonov was getting his Endowment in July when he ran into a temple worker who served in Scotland 55 years earlier. They talked about the mission and before he left the temple worker called him back and wrote on a sticky note a name and a place. He said, "If by chance you are ever here you should look these people up." Last week he was looking in his Journal and this note was in there. I looked at it and it said HAMILTON. No way! I told him that it is in our area. We found out they were members and so we called them right away and set a time to meet them on Saturday. President Donaldson had revelation to send Elder Agafonov here for his first area and I know there is always a purpose behind revelation. We got there and told them the story. It ended up being the people that this temple worker Baptized while he was here. we were so excited. When we kept talking we found out that they have a friend that has shown interest in the gospel who is from the same city Elder Agafonov is from in Ukraine. We knew what we had to do. So we are getting a Russian Book of Mormon and having him write his testimony in it and having them give it to this friend of theirs. I love this. What a miracle.

We were in Eastkilbride for Sunday this week. All the members there were so excited to have us. We hope we can help them out. They have had a hard time in attendance these last several years so we are hoping to get stuff going. This will only happen if missionaries and members work together. I hope that all of you can have a missionary experience this week. If you don't run into one then go find one. The missionaries need you members and the Lord needs you even more. I love you all. See you later.

Elder Thayne

Not to pick favorites but I like ours a lot better. I have been in both and while the architecture is cool in the one, it is missing something. I love the church. This is the Eastkilbride building.