Stay Golden Pony Boy!

Sister Missionaries, Elder Elsmore (from Mona, UT), Elder Thayne, Elder Owain Banks & Sister Banks, Falkirk Scotland.

I have loved my mission. It has been the best thing I have ever done. I am so sad to go. this has been the most golden part of my life. This has also been the closest to Gold this rough stone has ever been. I have learned so much on my mission.

Last week was great! we found tons of new investigators. Our friend was Baptized and he has never looked happier. We were able to go to Linlithgow palace and Stirling Castle and the William Wallace Monument. We had a wonderful broadcast from Salt Lake Specifically to the Northern Europe area. Amazing miracles were happening left and right.

There is so much I can tell you about last week. SO MUCH! But I think that the most important thing I can tell you about before I come home is that I know that God is there and he loves us. He loves you so much that he gave everything you see around you. Jesus Christ is the savior. He has touched my life and I have felt his transforming power in my life. I would not be able to complete a mission without him. I know that I have done my best. I have so much relief in my heart. The Spirit has led me on my mission. Following Gods guidence and being on his errand has been the most fulfilling and happy time of my life. I wish I could tell you how happy I am but I can't. The English language has the largest vocabulary out of every other language in the world. Even with that, though, It can't express a fraction of my gratitude and happiness. 

If there is anyone out there that feels lost, alone, forgotten, overwhelmed, stressed, guilty, ashamed, sad or depressed. I am telling you as a friend to come unto Christ and be perfected in him. Repent of what you need to and let his grace fill your life and turn you into a new creature. While I am a missionary (and that is for forever) I will always invite people to come unto Christ. I love you all and will see you soon.

Elder Thayne

P.S.  I Didn't explain my title, I am praying that my mission memories will stay Vivid and Golden. I pray that the quality of my spiritual life stay Sensitive and Golden. I pray that the disciple I have come to be stay Faithful and Golden.  

My First Wedding

So this last week we have seen a lot of opposition but so many blessings at the same time. You are probably wondering why I am talking about my wedding. Well it wasn't really my wedding it was my buddies wedding. He has been wanting to get married and when he gets married he can get Baptized as well, but the law was stopping them for a while. They couldn't get marrieds for 2 years and then suddenly they were told they could get married but only if it was within 2 weeks so they through a wedding together as fast as possible. It turned out to be amazing. it was small and very few people were invited but they wanted us to come! It was really special. They had been looking forward to this for so long and finally it came. He seemed so happy.

On Sunday we had the Zone Leaders drive up to interview him. He passed with Flying colors. He is going to be one of the rocks in the ward. He is always talking about doing service and helping out at church. He will be such a strength to the Falkirk Branch

We Also went on Exchanges with the Zone Leaders this week in Edinburgh. It was splendid. It was the first time I was really teaching some chinees people and I realized I really need to teach simply. 

Also we have been teaching Bethan. Her brother had gotten into a car crash last Monday and the doctors suggested to put him into a medically induced coma. We told the branch and they have all been praying for him. Then a miracle happened. He has almost fully recovered and he is walking and talking now. It is amazing to see what the power of prayer can do. We taught Bethan on Saturday and she said she is really excited for her baptism on the 11th of March. Pray for her that she will be able to make that date. 

Life is good. I love the mission. I love prayer. I have really found that God is my most trusted confidant. I can tell him anything and he wont judge me. He is so helpful, he really is. This church is true!

Elder Thayne

Miracle After Miracle

So we have been really busy lately which is awesome. I have been seeing miracle after miracle this last week. We decided we wanted to really be sanctified my last 3 weeks of my mission and see what will happen. So on Thursday we had a interview with president. This is my final interview with him. Let me just tell you that I love this man. I look up to him so much. He has helped me so much on this mission. I know that I was called to the Scotland Ireland mission, partly, because of his leadership. I am really going to miss him. 

Friday we GQ'd a guy that use to know some of the members that I knew in Dunfermline. The way he introduced himself to me was by calling me a Muppet. All I had to ask him was, "am I a muppet or am I a man?" haha he is awesome, he never takes anything seriously.He said he never got baptized because he was scared of water. We asked him if he want's to be baptized now and he said yes right on the street. We taught him and he will be baptized in 3 weeks. He doesn't have any legs so there will have to be 2 people in the font to baptize him. His name is Alister and he is a legend.

We found out that a man, Sebastian, that has been investigating the church forever is finally able to be baptized because his wedding is going through. He wanted to be baptized the day after the wedding but his wife said he should wait a week. I think he should enjoy his honey moon as well. When he gets back we will help him get baptized. 

We started to teach another girl named Bethan on friday and she said as we taught her she felt a warmth in her chest. We invited her to church and she came!!! She was being told so much about the Holy Ghost the whole time we were there. One of the ladies asked her how she felt and again, she described it as warm. She loved church and she turned to me later that day and said she is excited for her baptism. Keep her in your prayers because as we were teaching her today she got a call and she found out her brother is in the hospital because he was just in a car crash. So actually keep her and her brother in your prayers.

Life is good this week. I do want to share one more experience. He had a bunch of the "cool kids in town" making fun of us and telling us we were brainwashed this week. we paid them no heed. Later we saw one of the kids named Kai. He asked if anybody believed us and we told him they do. He said, "how can you show people he is there? he doesn't exist." we told him we could show him. He didn't believe us but we poked at his pride and said he would never know unless he sat down with us for 20 minutes. He said ok so we went into McDonald's. He was telling all of his friends he is going to prove us wrong and he kept saying things like, "Lets get this over-with." So he was pretty cocky. We sat down and taught him and it was one of those extremely powerful lessons about faith and about Gods love for him. He couldn't argue with us and at the end he said, "you know I never thought I would believe in God, but since we've been talking I know that he is there." it was so powerful! Later that day he brought all of his friends up to us and he told me that they didn't believe in God. They were all telling me to show them then Kai told them they would need to sit down with us for 20 minutes inside McDonalds and learn. It was awesome!! Kai was testifying along side us. He was using the analogies about faith that I taught him as he taught his friends. I would then give him a wink. It was a great experiance!

The Church is true. I love God and Jesus is my friend.

Elder Thayne

Companionship Study and Mini Ping Pong

Oh wow, I am sorry I have so much to say but I am tired. Amazing things happened. We have taught loads of people and found loads of investigators. We are happy and enthusiastic about life and about this area.

One thing we are working on though is our companion study. It really helps us teach in unity and have more power to our teaching. We are also working on relying on the Lord more. We are going to council with the Lord, first thing, whenever there is a problem. and we are going to pray before every lesson we have.

We have a mini ping pong net in our flat with miniature paddles. So when we are all ready for bed at night me sometimes play each-other on our dinner table. It keeps things fun. It is great because it we have gotten surprisingly really good at it. I never thought we would be able to do it with hobbit sized equipment.

Funny Story: This guy started walking up to me in the street the other day and he had an angry face. He said, "you have not been saved. You know why? because your Mormon. Guess what, you will never get to Kolob...because it isn't real!"

I kept my cool and said, "Wait...you've never been there?"

He was expecting more so he walked away angry.

Oh man, I love the Scottish people. haha they are some of the greatest people you will ever meet. Just become their friend and you will have a friend for life. Another great thing about the older Scottish people is how patriotic they are. Everyone loves a patriotic Scot. I think We need to be more patriotic.

I love you all. keep it real. 

Elder Thayne

Elder Furko, Me, Sister Kotter and Sister Smith

Falkirk

So sorry I don't have much time right now but I want to tell you I know that this is where I am suppose to be. We whitewashed the area and we had 0 investigators. So Elder Elsmore and I just decided to hit the pavement. We found loads of people and we were able to teach over a dozen lessons and set 2 people with a date. Great things are happening in Falkirk. 

Elder Elsmore is awesome. He is from Mona, Utah. He loves Golf and he going to be a dentist someday. I get along with him so well. We both are working so hard and we both want to be the best we can be. It is great to have a companion that is willing to sacrifice something he wants for what is right. I really love serving with him.

cool story

The first day we were decided that we were going to work as hard as we could so we can get started on the right foot. We prayed that we would be able to find and teach 3 people that day. We made a promise with the Lord  that we would do everything we could to reach this goal. We went out there and taught 3 lessons that day. Emma was one of the people we taught. She was atheist but when we were teaching her about the spirit she felt a deep warmth and she told us she wants to be baptized. 

Life is good. I love the gospel. I will never leave this truth. I know too much. I know what I would be leaving if I did. I am so happy right now. Hope you all have a great day.

Elder Thayne

Nae Time

So I got the call on Saturday morning. I was so disappointing to hear from president That I will be leaving Motherwell for my last transfer and heading to Falkirk. But as the day went on I got over myself and accepted the Lord's will. Now I am in Falkirk with Elder Elsmore. 

Elder Elsmore is a great guy from Mona Utah. I am looking forward to working here and with him. I want to promise you all I will not die haha. Dying means giving up before you are going home. I am going to see what great things the Lord can do here in Falkirk my last 6 weeks. 

I know that this work is true. I love the church and Jesus Christ. Life is good today. 

Elder Thayne

(PS... I was a bit confused as to who is who in these pictures... so I will just put it here and we can make note later.

William Balintyne and Me, Me and Karl, Me and the Mitchell's, Craig, Elle, Megan, Andrea and Holly.)

William Balintyne and Me

Me and Karl

Me and the Mitchells

Jackie and Ron Taylore and yours truly

It's a Trap!

So this last week has been good. We have had a lot of fun with a variety of ways to do missionary work. On Monday we went up to Glasgow for an exchange with the zone leaders. it was really good. we were able to teach quite a bit of lessons on the spot. We taught a lot of Chinese people who are going to University while over here in Scotland.

Wednesday came along and we had a presentation to do in from of a college class. Background: Elder Agafonov and I sent out an email about 3 months ago to about 6 colleges in the area offering our services as guest speakers. Finally we got a reply and we went. it was an evangelical college and they had learned about us previously. The teacher who was putting it together told us we had 30 minutes but ended up only giving us 20 to do our entire presentation. Then they asked pointed questions for the next 40.suddenly Admiral Ackbar yelled It's a trap!. like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego we answered, "We are not careful to answer thee in this matter.If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand." haha it was awesome. We answered their questions straight. We bore our testimonies. At the end we had everyone watch "Testimony of the book of Mormon." by Jeffery R Holland. The spirit was definitely there. They shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Afterwords I think the teacher was upset because he kept taking jabs at us before we left, but we wouldn't retaliate. It was a great experience. I learned a lot about the spirit and about testimony. We took an investigator name William with us. Later on when we taught William in the week he told us he was having some spiritual lows but ever since we did our presentation he had been on a spiritual high. He has such a strong testimony. This experience just enhanced it. Sorry kind of a long story.

Later on in the week we got a referral. So now we have taught these new people. They use to be every religion under the sun and currently they are Muslim. They are some of the smartest people I know though. they are from Poland. They were watching YouTube and they saw the Adele song, "Hello". Then they saw the parody with the Mormon missionaries. They were laughing so hard they decided to learn more. So we are going back again this week haha.

This sunday was a delight. Jack came to church again. He loves church, which is great. He wants to change. It seems like everyone that speaks is talking right to him. This high council member told him after church that jack needs to set a date to be baptized and then invite him. Jack is pumped so that is good.

Life is good. I love the mission. Time is so precious out here. Have a great week.

Elder Thayne

Me and Elder Huang, one of my Chinese Buddy's

Elder Furko got some sick toy swards 

Been Watchin You

So this past week has been really good. We have been teaching lot of people lately. We have several part member Families we are working with. We are trying to build our investigator pool through the ward. With the spare time we are having we are really working hard to find people by our own efforts.

Just to update you all about Jack, he is doing great. We were able to teach him quite a bit this last week. We taught him a little about the stop smoking program. He is willing to do it. We were talking to him about it with a member and getting him pumped and then Bobby Mckee just said, "Jack, you need to decide." right then Jack grabbed all of the tobacco that he had and shoved it into my hands. haha it was awesome. He is really trying to do good. He loved church again and got to talk to a lot of people. I think he is enjoying having friends that wont push him to do stupid things.

I haven't been able to be back to the Thanes this last week but I will be visiting them this week. I will let you know how that goes. 

This week I was asked to give a talk because someone wasn't going to be there. I prepared a talk and it was looking good. Then on Saturday I decided I don't want to do it anymore. Sunday Morning came and I decided what I was going to do. I wanted to talk a little bit about being a disciple of Christ. I was surprized how well it went. I guess the spirit was really helping me out on that one. But I have been thinking a lot about it lately. We really become more like him when he is our focus. When we ask ourselves WWJD we are trying to focus on christ. If you have ever heard the country song, "Been Watchin You" It is about a 4 year old boy watching his dad. He says: 

"Cause I've been watching you, dad, ain't that cool?

I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you

And eat all my food, and grow as tall as you are

Then I'll be as strong as Superman

We'll be just alike, hey, won't we, dad?

When I can do everything you do

'Cause I've been watching you."

The way that we can become Disciples of Christ is through watching him and practicing. Then someday we will be like him. I know Jesus Christ loves us and his love is perfect just like our father in Heaven's love. I hope you all have a great. Keep up the good work.

Elder Thayne

This is the first real snow of the year. 

Me Elder Furko and Prince Tshabalala? (Not sure where this picture is!  Two pics of the snow.)

Elder Furko, Jack, Elder Thayne

Jack and the Beanstock

So this last week was pretty amazing. Monday had the whole day off because apparently there are too many drunks out and about and people are just partying. so we played ping pong and went over to the bishops house.

We were able to visit quite a bit of people this week. Really working with the members and trying to get referrals from them. We had several spontaneous visits with LA (less actives) that had been struggling with their testimonies. Those were spiritual lessons.

We found out while we were visiting with people that there were Thaynes in Hamilton. Except their name was spelt Thane. We went over and knocked on there door. I told them that I have never met Thanes in Scotland and I wanted to find out if we were related. They were in their 90's :] haha really old but sweet couple. When they were younger they were into Gardening and traditional Scottish country dancing. They said we can come back and visit again so we are excited about that. They told us about their church and their minister who is from Texas. They said that we sounds like the same person. I though "hmmm this guys must be pretty cool." I had heard about this guy from several people now so I was determined to meet him.

I went to the church of Scotland and found out where his lived and went over to his house. We didn't know what we were going to say at first. We wanted to get into his home without getting into a bible bash haha. So I just asked if he is doing any kind of service projects this year with his church. I told him I just wanted to bounce idea's off of each other. we had a really good chat and he told us we can come back again, so that went well.

It is so cool because there are so many ways to get yourself out there and find people. It doesn't have to be just Chapping or GQing.

now I want to talk about the purpose of my title, "Jack and the bean stock." So We have been teaching this guy named Jack for the past 3 weeks now. He was raised in a way that he is rough and tough. He gets into fights easily and use to get into a lot of trouble. But since we have been meeting he hasn't been in a single fight. He has almost completely stopped smoking.Over all he is more kind and patient with people. He is great. We were able to meet with him quite a bit this last week, Which was really good. His testimony is growing and his is having amazing experiences reading the book of Mormon and praying.  Sunday morning he asked me to call him.  His Friends daughter had just passed away and she was only 4. Jack was like a father to this little girls so he was feeling really bad about it. I told him it will be good for him to come to church and take his mind off it. So he came to church for the first time this past week. He immediately felt out of place. He was the only one wearing sweat pants and a hoody, because that is all he had. People were nice and they would come say hi, but out of not knowing what to talk about they would leave to talk to some of their friends. I could tell he was really anxious. We went into sacrament meeting and we sat on the front so he could see the sacrament. It was fast and testimony meeting for us and it seemed like everyone that stood up was saying what he needed to hear. The spirit was so strong. He kept looking at me during the meeting and I knew what he was thinking. at almost the end of the meeting he turned to me and said, "I want to get up and say my testimony but I am really scared." I smiled and told him to go for it. He jumped up at right before the meeting ended and bore such an honest and powerful testimony. He said, " I have a connection with Joseph Smith. He was looking for answers and he found them. I am looking for answers and it seems like I am finding them too. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and I know the Book of Mormon is true." it was amazing. After that everyone came up to him. The awkwardness was gone and joy took it's place. Jack acted on a spiritual impression and his testimony grew, just like a  BEAN STOCK.

Sorry for the long Story. I am just so happy for him right now. Life is good. I love the mission. Hope you all have a great week this week. keep it real.

Elder Thayne

Logan Mathews, Stacey Fogg, Bronwyn Fogg, Elder Thayne, Malcolm Fogg. 

the blurry dog is becka

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

So this last week has been really good. We were able to find quite a bit and teach some really good lessons. had some spontaneous exchanges and met with amazing members. 

We were teaching this guy named Jack. He is from England and has been in and out of trouble his entire life. we were going to Glasgow for a surprise exchange so we were going to miss our appointment with Jack. Out of the blue we saw him about an hour before we were suppose to go so we pulled him into the library :] we taught him about the Holy Ghost and the restoration. We invited him to baptism and he excepted. I have to say that this lesson was one of the smoothest lessons I have ever taught. It just felt so good. The spirit was definitely leading that discussion. 

     we met with him again on Sunday and we asked him about his reading. He started telling us about how he felt like he was Lehi going out to pray and asking what he needs to do with his life. It was pretty cool. We asked him if he prayed and he said he did. We then asked him how he felt. He said, "It felt weird. Interesting to say the least. It felt like something was trying to get inside of me." I asked him if it was a bad feeling. He said, "No not at all. It was really good. It felt as if this thing was saying let me in. Keep reading. You know what you are suppose to do Jack, please let me in." When he told us that I just looked at him for several seconds to see if he was being sincere about it. He was. He said he felt the spirit and he needs to change his life. I am so excited for him. I am so excited to see where this goes. We are seeing him again today, so we will see how it goes :]

I don't have much time this week. I am just happy to be here. I am seeing a lot of miracles in my mission and in my life. It is like a christmas present from God. It really is beginning to look a lot like christmas. Love you all. Hope you have a good one.

Elder Thayne

Strike three... you're still in!

So I am still in Motherwell. This will be my 4th transfer. I will probably finish off my mission here. I love it though. I have something more to do here I can just feel it. I am pretty sure it has something to do with Member missionary work. I will let you know though. I will be staying with Elder Furko for Christmas.

This week I don't have any time again haha. Sorry I am boring. But it was pretty good. We are working hard and seeing miracles. Love you all so much. Remember to be nice to people.

Elder Thayne

Found some william wallace beer haha

21!

So this last week was really good. We were able to find some new investigators and have some really good lessons. There was this one guys who was walking away after he said our religion was way to hard to believe and I said, "oh yeah? evolution is way harder to believe." It was one of my great 7th grader come backs. This guy came back and we started discussing it haha (bashing). He turned out to be such a cool guy and he said he wanted a book of Mormon. We met with him the next day and had a great lesson. He prayed and said that it felt really good. He came back where we were GQing an hour later. He pulled an old bible out of his pocket and gave it to me. This bible is from 1884, so super old. He said, "Merry Christmas! thanks for the book of Mormon." it was a great Christmas Present. We look forward to meeting with him again.

Last P-day we had planned to go out to this small town named Carluke to teach a women named Wilma. We found out we wrote down the number wrong so we couldn't get a hold of her to confirm the appointment. We decided to go anyway. We got there and she let us in! we taught her a good lesson then her husband came in the room at the end. We talked to him about his work and found out that he knows our ward mission leader. They work together often. So that was cool. We automatically have some good fellow-shippers.

Sunday rolled around (happens to be my birthday!!!!!!) and I woke up with swollen eyes and a stuffed nose...the dreaded cold. We got to church and saw our less active part member family there. We were so excited! He got up and bore a great testimony about how they were planning on going to church but that morning everyone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. They decided not to go. He went to the bathroom and saw on his window a mirror, some razors and makeup that looked like it spelled the word LOVE. The spirit touched him and he remembered one of his friends from church that passed away this week. His friend would always show so much love to him inviting him back. This friend would say, "I am never giving up on you." So when he saw this on his window he knew that his friend, even though on the other side of the veil, was not giving up on him. It was a powerful testimony.

I was in the foyer when I saw some people I recognized coming up to the building. It was the Oaks's from back home. They were in Scotland and just decided to come see me in the Motherwell ward. It was so much fun to catch up with them. they are such great friends.

Life is good on the mission. I love this gospel. I hope you are all so excited for Christmas. It is the best time of the year.

Elder Thayne

The Baptism of John

So this last week was really interesting, hard, fulfilling and insightful. It started out with all of our investigators dropping us. about 10 dropped us so we are down to one haha. I am laughing because it is funny. seriously what can be more funny than to look at yourself swinging away and nothing is happening. I think Humor is key to enduring to the end. I think we have all had these kind of weeks. I think that Winnie the pooh's friend, Eeyore, said it best, "It can only get worse." haha I am just messing. It will all pay off.

Elder Furko and I seemed to be running a lot of errands this week that we wont see the harvest of. (Which is fine, because I have seen the harvest of someone else's planting at times in my mission). We were going to a super old and beautiful town named New Lanark, to hunt down a referral. Sadly the guy wasn't interested, but he did take a Book of Mormon on CD because he is blind. We were helping some Romanions who were kicked out of their flat. We had to go to these social service agencies for them and kind of be their advocates. Haha they are good now though. 

Friday night came around after a long day and we got a phone call from the sisters in East Kilbride. Telling us that the guy that was going to be baptizing John, Through out his back and was unable to baptize him. John then asked if I could do the baptism! I was so excited. It is fun because I found him after he had stopped investigating the church several years ago and started teaching him. The sisters finished teaching him and I was able to Baptize him. It was a very special day. It seems like those downer weeks always lead up to something great.

I have been thinking a lot about mediocrity and Excellence. I don't hate too many things but I hate mediocrity in myself. I hate it because it is that vice that nobody will call you to repentance for. It is so subtle! It always says to you, "You have met the requirement, you don't need to do anything more." It is the worst. Mediocrity is just going through the motions to satisfy. It is just to survive - not to achieve. God has planned our potential long before we were even here on earth. We are eternal beings. We can someday become as like God. "Mediocrity is the enemy of excellence. God is Excellent," Therefore Mediocrity is the Enemy to God and to us. Mediocrity's highest aspirations is to have approval from man. The worldly standard is easy that is why we settle for it. But if we put off the natural man, dig down deep and look for what God has planned for us we can achieve Greatness.

 Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."                                                         - Winston Churchill

Ether 12:27 and if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto man weakness that he may be humble and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me, for if they humble themselves before me and have faith in me I will make weak things become strong unto them.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Elder Thayne

From Ukraine to Hungary

So we had moves call this week. I am getting a new companion, Elder Furko! He is from Hungary and he has been out on the mission for a year. We will have fun time together :]

Elder Agafonov is leaving to the northern most point of the main land of Scotland, Thurso. It will be so cold up there and he is so scared of the cold so it is kind of funny :] He is a great missionary and he has taught me so much. I will miss him for sure :]

Halloween was fun. We were able to cook a full chicken with home made stuffing and potatoes :] We were all alone which was sad but that is ok :]

We have been working hard this week. a lot of appointments falling through which is sad, but that is ok because this week will be better. We some investigators we would like you to pray for. They are living together and thy have little baby girl named Maddison. Calum is taking care of Maddison while Chloe is in the hospital. There were some complications during the delivery. Calum also had his wallet stolen. They are having a hard time. Satan is really trying to keep them away from seeing us. Pray for them.

We had a great meeting with the Glasgow and the Paisley zones. President Donaldson came and spoke to us. It was an amazing spiritual experience. I swear that I have the best mission president in the World.

I love you all. Have a great one. Pray that we can find good people. Life is good, remember that. Life is good.

Elder Thayne

Some Portadown Missionaries: Me, Elder William, Elder Harker, and Elder Able

Chicken Dinner on Halloween Night

Our library at night.

Man vs. Food

So this week I have had some good food! Members here are awesome. Monday, chicken and tatties; Tuesday, 8 Hamburgers in 15 minutes; Saturday, spaghetti baloneys; Sunday, Café Rio sweet pork burritos!!! Some Americans made it for us :]

Tuesday night was great. Bishop was driving like fast and furious to get us to the train on time. We pulled in and saw the train pull away so he took us home haha. On the way though he received revelation about how he can increase the accountability of the ward and their missionary work. He said he would love to push it through the quorums so that way it wont seem self serving if we push it. Elder Agafonov and I were totally fine with that haha.

We had a great Lesson With Mark this week. We met him and the library and taught him the restoration. It was amazing because he felt the spirit so strongly. We had him read the Joseph Smith History about the first vision. Most of the time you just read it out of the pamphlet to leave out the part of Satan attacking Joseph, but for some reason we felt like he needed to read that part as well. As he read it he felt the spirit so strongly. He asked if he could have a picture of Joseph smith to put up in his house. He says, "If anyone comes in my house they always ask about my pictures. So when they ask about this picture I will be able to tell them the Joseph Smith Story." It was Powerfull.

Elder Agafonov was dressed up like the Brother of Jared because he was helping out with the primary book of Mormon hero that week. So he came in and told them about his story. He was totally going for it haha. He was super theatrical and excited. He got to the part where he was talking about the barges and the said, "They were shaped like unto a jar, and they were rounded like unto a jar and they were tight like unto a jar." All of the kids started laughing. I guess a jar and a dish are the same word in Russian. Oh man I love having a foreign companion it is so funny.

I love my life. I am so happy. I love my mission and I want to soak it all in. Please go share the gospel. You will feel so happy if you do.

Elder Thayne

(No pics.  Got a new camera but forgot the disc reader. :( )

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