Guess Fit ah ah'm gyan doon south‏

So there is a bit to tell you this week. Elder Quinton and I have been working really hard this last week. We are having a lot of good things happen. President surprized us on Sunday by coming up and Interviewing Vicky for Baptism. She passed and is going to be entering the fold on Friday. We have become really good friends. I am so excited to see her happy.

We all thought that he was leaving and I would be staying but I got the call that I am going to Sligo in Ireland. To be honest I was pretty disappointed because I have always wanted to serve in a city with a University. I guess I got it for a transfer. I need to just count my blessings. I will have served in all three countries on my mission though so that is cool. It will be a cool new experience and I am looking forward to it.

Do you remember Kaitlyn from Dunfermline? She is tearing it up down in Fife. She has spoken at church and she has names ready for the temple! She is doing great. Just thought you would want to know that.

Sad news Viktor is going back home to Ukraine. He has been feeling like he needs to go back for some reason. He is going to be such a great strength to the people there. He looked up where a church is and he is moving into that city. He will only be 2 hours away from the temple so he is looking forward to that. Who knows he might find a Ukrainian ysa to get hitched with :] It was pretty sudden. He just called us and told us he needs to go. He leaves today. Kind of funny we leave Aberdeen the same day. 

One of my really good friends from Portadown, Lynda, got to go see Elder Uchtdorf in Belfast a week ago. She said it was awesome. Man I wish I could have been there. I have missed 3 apostles on my mission. I have just been in the wrong country at the wrong time haha. Someday maybe.

Well everyone. I want to tell you that life is good. Make it that way by living the plan of happiness. I have less than a year left of my mission. I want to rededicate myself to being consecrated. I love this work. I am going to make this next area, this next companion, this next transfer the best one of my mission. I love you all. keep it real.

Elder Thayne

This is me with Viktor. he is a stud. Everyone is going to miss him.

I've got Sunshine!

This last weeks weather has been really good. So we have been taking full advantage of it. I guess up here in Aberdeen you don't have too many sunny days. Elder Quinton and I have been really thinking about how we can get the Ward more evolved. We have had some success but we want the ward to be helping out with the success as well. So we have been looking at a lot of plans and materials that other Elders have done to excite their wards.  We have taken the family mission plan and we are tweeking it a little bit. We are adding things in and taking things out so it can best work here in Aberdeen. We are super excited about it. I will let you know how it goes.

We have been able to see people that we haven't seen in a while. Exams are over so people have more time. Now we just have to catch them before they go on vacation.

oh yeah I forgot to tell you in the last email but I played the piano for Richards Baptism. I was super nervous but I got through it haha. Just thought that yous would like to know that piano skills come in handy on the mission. 

For some reason we have met a lot of people this week who have told us that they want to find a faith. They say that they wish they believed in something. Then we offer it to them and they tell us they aren't interested. haha most people don't even know why they are saying they aren't interested.  It is just their natural reaction. kind of funny.

Funny: I have a wooden sward from a farmers market. Elder Quinton was throwing a cereal box at me and I was so Jedi it never got passed my reflexes, I chopped it to fast. The plastic with the cereal flew out of the box and Elder Quinton picked it up. We we so hyped yelling and doing war chants (similar to the hawka) he held out the bag for me to cut it in half. But instead of me cutting it in half I got his hand. haha. There was a wale a pain. luckily it wasn't his drawing hand. Missionaries can have fun doing just about anything, sometimes we do stupid stuff.

Hey everyone life is good. Choose to be happy. 

Elder Thayne

Purple Flowers

Pond with a castle in the background 

House on a hill next to the graveyard

I am a giant compared to all of these hobbits that live over here ;]

Sunshine and Smiles

This last week has been so good. let me just take a minute to be grateful... woweee life is good my friends. This last week I was able to go to all Scotland where I got to see all of my companions that are still out on the mission. I was so stoked to see Elder Plewe. I trained Elder Plewe in Portadown and it was great. The training and the discussions were powerful and the spirit was there. I also go to see everyone in my group. It is the Only time that we will all be in the same place again so it was good to see everyone.

The Next day I got to go on exchanges with Elder Van Staden who is in my group. It was so much fun because he loves to do missionary work. He has a great gift at making people feel important. He doesn't make them feel bad about themselves when they do something wrong but he encourages them and makes them want to be better. He is a great missionary and I am happy I get to learn from him. 

On Saturday we were blessed enough to have the Baptism of Richard Owen. He is an amazing man with great faith. He is close to 60 years old and he is extremely smart. He has been all around the world. He said that he came back from Canada and these missionaries stopped him in the street. He said he was really busy so they just kept in contact with him. They were constantly trying to set appointments up with him and then it finally worked on day. He said that the biggest factor was that they were persistent. "Persistence is the only thing that pays." President Thompson (Mission President's counsellor.) Richard has been really welcomed and he will provide a lot of strength to the ward.

Mothers day was fantastic. I was able to go the Warks home where I Skyped my family. Man I sure do love my family. It was great seeing how they were doing and what everyone looks like :] Afterwords I was able to talk to Brother Wark about his mission. He was a great missionary in Canada. He said some things that I really needed to hear. It was great to see how the Lord will speak to us and tell us what we need to do through other people. 

I love this Gospel. I know that it is true. I know that the Book is Blue. Keep it real everyone. 

Elder Thayne

In response to Mom's letter:

Yeah that was so much fun being able to see the barn hahaha it looks so stinkin good. I can't believe I have missed all of the fun. haha wow I am proud to be a Thayne right now. sounds like you are still busy and still happy. That is great. I like your C.S. Lewis quote.  THat is good advice I am going to use it. ("Joy is the serious business of heaven.") Love you so much Mom. I will see you later.

Elder Thayne

Elder Olsen, Elder Arave, Elder Van Staden, Elder Stevens, Sister Butters, Elder Reece, Elder Kinville and me. (my group)

Elder Plewe and Me looking like a numpty

there was no room to sit down on the train ride back. Elder Magby is holding the camera.

Random sunset.

Elder Quinton's 5 minute chalking while filling up the font.

Elder Burgess, Me, Ryan Wark, Richard Owen, Elder Quinton

Victor's Baptism in Aberdeen

So we had a baptism!! so excited. I am sorry there is no time to email today. I will fill you in next week. But here is the picture of the baptism for Victor :] haha I know you probably are so mad. But I love you all. the church is true. see ya'll later. :]

(A little more info from a personal letter and Mom's questions:)

Holy shnikes you are so busy. that is nuts haha slow down. But I guess it is good to be busy. My week was like that as well.

Answers:

1. There are three teams of missionaries in my district. I have been a district leader for 7 transfers. I have only had 10 transfers haha. so I am finaly starting to figure out how to be a district leader...finally :]

2. Yeah I am district leader.

3. I have 2 bottles of Q left. If you are sending more anytime soon I would like a disc craft ultimate frisbee. They don't have those over here.

4. Yeah we can Skype with the Williamsons. I can do it before four or after 6 in my time. So email back soon so I can figure it out.

5. Pray that I will be the best district leader I can be. I am learning orginization.

I have always wanted to serve in a city!

Ok so I am in Aberdeen now. I have really liked it so far. My new companion is from Australia. He is 25, so he is an older missionary. He was a concept artist before he came out on the mission so he is really good at drawing. If you's want to look at his portfolio it is benqportfolio.com. he is a goof ball but he is really fun. I like serving with him. Oh yeah he met President Lew when he was the mission president in Australia.  

We are working with a lot of people right now. we are right next to the University so we teach a lot of students which is so much fun. We are teaching this guy named Victor and he is from Ukraine. He is the most humble and lovable guys I have ever met. He is getting Baptized this Saturday. 

We are also teaching a man named Richard and he is an older man. he works in oil and gas and he is really smart. He has studied the gospel and loves the church. He will be getting baptized in Saturday as well.

Philip is an African guy we are teaching. He is big into lifting weights. He has been investigating the gospel since September and he wants to be baptized now so he will be getting Baptized on the 7th of May.

Those are just some of the people that we are working with right now. I love how the gospel is for everyone. Everyone we teach is different but whoever it is the gospel can heal and improve everyone's lives. 

I haven't met much of the ward yet because this last week was stake conference. I have been able to have  2 dinner appointments though. I have met the Leonard's who are a young couple who both served missions. I also met the Williamson whose kids have all flown the coop. I am excited to meet everyone next week though :]

I have always wanted to serve in a city. Especially one with a University. I am so excited to work here. May the force be with me :] Love you all. keep it real

Elder Thayne

So this is the Waddells in Dunfermline. Charles, Alex, Bowman, Rosie,
Elder Flynn, Me, Robert.

My Flat

Elder Quinton

Aberdeen

So I am getting Transferred out of Dunfermline. I am going up North for the summer. I am super excited because I hear that it is the best place for GQing in the mission. I am ready for this new challenge. My new companion is named Elder Quinton. He is 26 and he is from Australia.  I will tell you more about him when I meet him. I am really excited though. 

So this last week has been pretty fun. We were able to play badminton with the sisters and with Kaitlyn on monday. 

Funny Story: On Wednesday Elder Flynn and I were chapping and I realized that there was a huge hole in his trousers and I told him it was pretty noticeable. We knocked on some of these doors and no one was home so we moved on. When we were 3 or four houses down I noticed a lady in the house we knocked on and she was using a sewing machine. We were like "...no way...will it work?" I went over and knocked on her window and gave her a fright haha. She came to the door and we explained our dilemma and it was super awkward haha. Bless her heart, She wouldn't sew up his trousers but she gave us needle and thread. We then started telling her about the gospel and she was interested. We met her at the church the next day and we taught her. It was awesome. Moral of the story: by small and simple things (Big hole in trousers) are great things brought to pass (new investigator).

We were able to go on a blitz with the Zone leaders. We GQd (street contacted) for 8 hours haha. it was a crazy day. Because we are always finding this transfer is the first transfer I have filled out every space for a potential to be. haha it was pretty satisfying. 

I got my moves call on sunday when I was leaving the Macdonalds house. We were walking to Kaitlyn's to see her one last time. When I was told I was leaving my heart sunk. I saw it coming and I know I need to move on some time but it was so sad. When I got to Kaitlyn she had brownies for us and a cake for sister Pennock. We talked a bit and I talked to her Mom. Her mom said it will be weird not to have me coming over any more. once her mom left we were all just talking about all of the times that are about to become the good old times. I felt so sad. I have developed such a love for her. It is nothing romantic. I truly do love her though. She has become a great friend and I look up to her so much. It was a sad moment but it was good. 

This work is amazing. I love this gospel. I have made so many friends through it. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve and to help others come to this gospel. "shall we not go on in so great a work." Pray for me when I go to Aberdeen.

Elder Thayne

P.S. I did service at the fishery and he said we can fish for 15 minutes during our lunch break. :]

Me playing Brother Lynch in Table tennis.

I found Afton's street. I think you are suppose to serve here :]

This is the Blitz we did the the Zone Leaders.
We all got Ben and Jerry's. it was half price.

This is Brian Hall. He looks kind of scary, but he is the sweetest old man ever! 

The Watsons: Monic, Daryl, me Megan and Kristy.

The Macdonalds: Elder Flynn, Emily, Darryn, Me,
cool girl, Samuel, Jacob, Sister Macdonald.

Nothing Really!

I have nothing to say to you. It is not because I am giving you the silent treatment, it is just because this last week has been pretty uneventful. have never felt so strained or spread thin. It is crazy. I am so tired. I don't know if I have said this before but in WWZ he says that "movement is life." that is so true on the mission. If you are not working or if you are not moving you lose motivation. I have seen a lot of people lose motivation that way. That includes normal people. I have been keeping myself busy busy busy. We are working hard. Sometimes it is tiring but then another boost of energy comes along. General Conference was one of those.  General conference is amazing. 

So I am racking my brain trying to think of a cool story to tell yall but nothing is coming. hahaa it is crazy if this was my life and the spirit wasn't part of it I would be so sad but I have never been happier in my life. This gospel has to be true because every promise that is in it always happens. Why am I happy? it doesn't make sense. Why is it that when I am rejected all day everyday I don't lose energy but I become more bold and I find my testimony strengthened with every insult thrown at me. I love the people of Scotland. They are just some of the coolest people ever. 

I am proud to be a missionary. I love this gospel with all of my hear. Nothing else could get me through the hard times. I would not survive as a missionary if I didn't apply the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I am glad I am not perfect because if I was I wouldn't have to repent. and If I didn't have anything to repent for I would feel pretty sad haha. I know that My savior lives and he loves us. God has a very personal and individual plan for us.

Elder Thayne

Just a funny picture of Elder Flynn. Now we can see what his diet does to him.

Me, Elder Flynn, Kaitlyn, Sister Petch, and Sister Pennock.

Kaitlyn and Me

Elder Flynn took a picture of me when I fell asleep on the bus.