Week 20

Dear Family, 
Ghana is sweet. The weekly letter from President Judd was very inspiring. He said that we will be getting 50 more missionaries and he counseled us to become more obedient. One thing that he said and committed us to do is to commit to him to only email him and our families. So from now on if people want to write me tell them to send a letter. But I know I need to do this and follow the counsel of President Judd. He is a man of God and I need to follow what he says. So I guess I'll just be emailing you guys, Erica, and Grandma. 
But man that is really crazy with Erica. If that happened to me they would probably send me home. But I'm glad she is doing ok and I know the Lord is watching over her. I'm sure it was weird to talk to her but I will definitely be praying for her. I'm sure you gave a great talk dad and I'm sure the new calling is pushing you. I glad you did well and I'm sorry I missed it. Thank you dad. I'll try and stay out of the hospital. 

Nicki it's great to hear from you. I am sure you are somewhat relieved to have the football season over with. I hope competition goes well and I'm sure you will be practicing a lot. I am doing great here in Ghana and things are going fantastic. Have a great week. 

That is so true mom it really is. There is no reason to be nervous because the Lord is watching over her and protecting her. That is still a pretty crazy experience and I hope I never get that sick especially here in Ghana. I guess a root canal would be pretty big news ha.  It's great to hear that Dad is doing so well in his new calling. Oh Halloween I will be missing that holiday especially all the candy but there is this little shop by our house that is painted orange and black and has spider webs so I think we are going to go there on Wednesday. We are teaching the owner of the shop. I'm glad to hear that Abbey did well in cross country and I hope she continues with it because I know she has so much potential.   

1 (What size of slippers do you wear?) Size 11-12. That is how the sizes work for the slippers. It will just say 11-12 and that is the size I want. 
2. (Are you sure there is nothing else you need?) Yes I really don't need anything else. I am just fine here. Just remember mom to send them in the $16.95 flat rate envelopes. Those will be the cheapest for you and I don't have to pay to get them.  
3.(How much money do you spend on groceries?)  Probably like 110 cedis which is like 60 dollars every 4 weeks so things here are pretty cheap. 
4. (What do you buy to eat?) Oats bread noodles, fried rice, fufu and just other random things. My diet isn't too varied out here but it's ok.  
5. (What do most members feed you when you come for dinner?) It just depends really. That is actually something me and my companion are working on is getting more FM's. But it can be rice, fufu, banku really anything. Sometimes fish but it just depends. 
7.( What did you learn in your studies this week?) I have been studying in Alma and it has been really good. I actually have a great experience this week with one of our investigators. Her name in Matilda and she has been coming to church for a very long time but she has not committed to be baptized. We have been seeing her a lot trying to resolve the concerns she has. So on Thursday we went to her house and asked her to pray about baptism and if it is something that she really needed to do. So we saw her on Sunday during church and we asked her if she had prayed. She said that she had and that she didn't know if she got an answer but she said that she had a dream. So she explained her dream that she was on a bridge that was very unstable and she really needed to cross it but that she couldn't. so she said that she walked back and then that 2 men helped her across the bridge. She also said that the 2 men were eating fruit on the other side of the bridge and that she wanted so bad to eat the fruit as well. So as you can imagine after explaining this to us me and my companion were both very excited. So we helped to explain the dream and she committed to being baptized. It was such a great experience and it strengthened my testimony on how God hears and answers our prayers. That is this first time on my mission that someone had gotten and answer so profound like that. It was such a great experience and I am just grateful that I was able to be a part of it.   

Thank you mom and I'm glad you say that about following all the mission rules. So like I said before President Judd had asked us to only email him and our family so there will be some people that I no longer email anymore but I know I need to be obedient and follow the counsel of my mission president. So if anyone wants to write me tell them to send a letter.   

Carly it sounds like you had a great week. You are always busy with something and you're giving the Thornhill's a good name. I'm glad the bonfire went well. It is getting hotter here but it's not too bad. Thanks for the advice and keep up the good work. Love you 

Well family I think that is it for this week. I love my mission president and I love Ghana. I know that by being obedient to all the rules that I will be blessed. I hope everyone has a great week and I love and miss you all 

Love Elder Thornhill

Week 19

Dear Family, 
Sadly we didn't get to go to the temple. We just had zone interviews with president Judd. He is so amazing and I'm pretty sure he is going to be an apostle. Really all the ladies are going on missions it's pretty crazy. I'm glad Abbey did well at cross country. I really hope she sticks with it. She has a lot of natural ability and she could go far with it if she works hard. She could pay for college I know it if she works hard so I hope she does it. I still regret not taking running more seriously and I hope she doesn't make the same mistake as me. haha good joke dad and I'm glad my Aggies are doing well 

Carly I'm sure your narrative was great and tell Unrein hi for me. Good job running everyday and honestly Carly I think you might be a little too good for USU. I'm not saying USU is a bad school but you are smart really smart. But if you want to go to USU that's great just keep your eyes open. 

Abbey great job at cross country. You did well I heard. I know practice may be early and hard but it will pay off. You are a great runner and I think you should stick with it. I regret not running more seriously in high school so I want you to carry on the Thornhill name and be a sweet runner. Love you two and have a great week. 

Kasey how are you? Still hipster as ever? You probably look great without braces and be sure to show off that smile. Great job at swim. First place that's pretty good in my book. You are a great swimmer Kasey. Halloween is a silly holiday and no one here celebrates it so I don't have to worry. I know before we know it I'll be talking to all of you guys. Have a great week Kasey. I love you

Nicki I know cheer is your life but now you can look forward to basketball. Well I love you and have a good week 

Mom we were coming back from Accra where the mission home is for interviews. Its only like a 20 min tro tro ride so it's not too far but I was really tired. Transfers are Nov 7. We are getting a new assistant so that is exciting and if I get transferred I could really go anywhere. 
1. (Who are you teaching right now?) We are teaching a lot of people. We have to people to be baptized this Saturday. Joshua and Bariksuu. Joshua is 18 and is sweet. I love that guy. And Barkisuu is kind of crazy but really nice. She is a Muslim and they are super hard to baptize but she has a testimony so that is so great. 
2.( How is the weather?  It looked cloudy.) Yes it rained for like 4 hours that day but it has been hot basically every day. It's not too bad though. 
3. (How are your clothes holding up?) The clothes are doing good. My shirts are a little less white but that is understandable. But really they are doing great. 
4. (for Christmas I want to send you something to sleep in what do you want?) Honestly mom and don't really need anything to sleep in. But I would like another pair of those moccasins that I like. There called Dearfoams. If you could send a pair of those that would be great. And remember the flat rate mailing envelopes. They are super nice and easy for you and for me so send things in the flat rate mailing envelopes.   
5.( Were you eating at a members house?)  No we just went to a chop bar. Just a little place where you can get food. 
6.  (What were you eating?  Cake balls and fufu?) Yes it was elder Larsen's birthday last Sunday so we made some cake balls. And then on Wednesday we went and got some fufu. It really is the best stuff ever.  

Thanks mom for the questions. Everything really is going great here in Teshie. Our apartment is sweet and I love my companion. This church is so true. Sometimes I just have a thought or something and I just realize how true this church is. It's so great. I love you all and I hope everyone has a great week. 
Elder Thornhill    
 

Elder Thornhill with his companion

The fufu

Cake balls for Elder Larsen!

The Temple

With Elder Bradley

The sleepy Elders

Week 18

Dear Family, 
Oh boko now oo sway. That means cool and how are you. Elder Bradley its pretty good at twi so he has been teaching me small (a little) so that is good. The other two elders are so great. We all get along great and the apartment is super fun. That's weird that there is a Sam's Club in rocky point. I'm sure it was really nice. Yes Teshie is kind of like that but I love it here so much. I don't want to leave this area but I'm pretty sure I'm leaving next transfer. Wow that's crazy about the triple crown that has been a long time since it happened last. How are the playoffs going? how about the NBA? That guy is huge and I'm sure he's a great player and he will only get better. Thanks dad. I hope you have a great week. Love you

Carly that's funny about the swat guys and I'm sure you were scared. I can't wait to read your narrative and I know it's going to be great. Thanks Carly and I just told my companion you're available so watch out haha just kidding. Have a great week 

Kasey I'm sure you had such a great time in Mexico. You are going to look great with your braces off you are going to have some straight teeth. Kasey it great to hear from you. I hope swimming is going well and have a great week . 

Nicki man I thought you had died or something. Ha just kidding. Fall break must of been nice but I'm sure you missed Mexico but cheer just takes over your life doesn't it. How is cheer going anyway? How is partner stunting? I hope all is going well in school as well. Thanks for writing Nicki I love you. 

Hello Mom! That's a lot of events to attend you sound as busy as ever I hope your managing ok. Yes grandma told me about little Knox. That is a pretty sweet name. Tell Ben good work. That boy is going to be pretty cool I know it. Yes mom I got my package thank you so much. Everything was great especially the drink packets and the colored pencils thank you so much.  

Also my hair clippers broke I don't know how but I can't use them anymore so I just thought I would let you know. It's not a big deal hair cuts are only like 2 cedis. 

1. (Did you watch conference?) No we did not watch conference I think we watch it next month. 
3. (Would you like an Ensign with the conference talks?) Yes I would love an ensign with all the conference talks in them thank you. 
4. (Are you teaching anyone right now?) yes we are teaching many people. My favorite is Luke. HE is amazing and the only thing stopping him from being baptized is the permission of his guardians. He's only 15 but has such a strong testimony. We saw him at church yesterday. He lied to his dad so he could come and he just thanked my companion and me for teaching him and taking the time to sit down and talk with him. it was so great. 
5. (Do you see anything that we could send to help the members?  Clothing (white shirts)  Anything?) Umm I can't really think of too much. The members are pretty well taken care of but if I think of anything I'll tell you. 
6. (What did you do for p-day today?) its 1 o clock right now but we washed this morning and then played some cards because elder Larsen just got some in a package. I'm getting my hair cut later today. 

As for the Christmas package anything is great. Candy especially. Starbursts and skittles. That is one thing I miss but that's about it. Maybe some of those drink packet things. 

Thanks everyone for writing it really means a lot. This week was another great week and I'm actually 4 months old on mission today. It's pretty crazy how time flies. It was a great week and I can't wait for another one. I love and miss you all. Have a great week! 

Love Elder Thornhill 

Week 17

Dear Family, 

Man I opened my email today and Skyler told me about the announcement. (The age for missionaries has been changed. Boys can go when they are 18 instead of 19 and girls can go at 19 instead of 21.) So crazy! We didn't get to watch conference and so I hadn't heard the change in age. All 4 of us "oh brunis" (white guys) were going crazy in the cafe and man I can't believe how crazy that is. The missionary army is going to be so much bigger. It will be weird to get 18 yr old missionaries out here as well. I hope they are well prepared to serve missions and the work really is moving forward. Because of this President Judd was saying how we will be able to open new areas and further the work here in Ghana. It really is so great. So nope we didn't watch conference and we won't watch it until next month. That kind of stinks but we will get the Liahona soon and I am going to devour the whole thing haha. Ah Elder Bradley is so great and we get along so well. It is a companionship made in heaven. I love him so much. Honestly the new age is just freaking me out. I don't know what to think. I'm glad though that I went to a year of school and I don't think I would of been ready for a mission right out of high school. That would be crazy if Carly went next year around this time. I'm glad you were able to watch conference and I'm actually really jealous. We did make French toast on Sunday and that was delicious. 

Carly honestly I didn't really know you had such a strong desire to serve a mission. But you will be able to leave very soon. Well Carly sorry it's kind of a scatterbrained email but I really can't concentrate very well right now but have a great week and I'll talk to you next week.  

Abbey everything is going very good. I hope Mexico is treating you well. You are a great runner abbey and I know running in the off season will help you out a lot. You have a lot of talent and I am glad you are using it. Have a great week and I miss you 

Kasey it sounds like you had a tiring day swimming. That is really far and I don't think that I could ever do that. Kasey I hope you are having a great time in Mexico and I know that you always enjoyed it. Thanks for the advice Kasey and have a great week 

Mom I was super bummed that we couldn't watch conference. that would be pretty intense to have 3 kids on mission. I really think that there are going to be so many more sisters that serve and the missionary force is going to be huge. The work is going forth and no one can stop it. It really is a great feeling to be a part of that.  

1.( When do you watch conference since you are 7 hours ahead of us on time?) We will watch it in about a month. It kind of stinks but it's ok.  

2. (Do you watch the priesthood session and when?) No I don't think we will be able to watch the priesthood session.

3. (How are the 4 white missionaries doing?) We are all doing very well. The apartment is pretty legit and we all get along so well.  

4. (How is your new companion?) So great I think I talked about it already but we get along so well. I love him our companionship is great. 

5. (Are you really getting chunky?  Do your pants still fit?) I am getting a little bit bigger but my pants still fit. I just have a little belly now. 

6. (What are eating? to make you gain weight?) Bread oats rice and fufu thats the big one. fufu makes you fat.  

Thanks mom for the questions I love them. I hope everything is going well. And have a wonderful time in Mexico and I'll talk to you next week! 

love Elder Thornhill

  

Week 16

Dear Family, 

Carly I know Teshie is pretty sweet. 4 "oh bruni's" (white guys) in one apartment. I'm not trying to brag or anything but we might have the best apartment in the whole mission. Yes Elder Bradley my new companion. He is so sweet and we are working very hard. Great job on making it to state that is very good I'm happy for you. hah I know it seems weird that it is October it still feels like it is still the summer. Well I hope you have a great week and thanks for writing.  

Dad yes I have a new companion Elder Bradley from Midway. He is so good and we work so well together. This is going to be a great transfer and I am expecting great things from my companion and I. It is a little bit different but Its great and I love our apartment so much. We are going to enjoy in Teshie. Yes the short one is my companion. He is so great though. I already love him. I am glad Abbey is doing well in running and I know she has the potential to be very good. Thanks dad for all the advice. It's going to be weird when I go home and I won't see any black people. I think I am going to miss that. Well thanks dad and have a great week . 

Mom- It's good to hear everyone is doing well. Mom I am going to miss the cinnamon rolls for conference. I haven't had cinnamon at all since I've been here and cinnamon rolls sound so good ha. Well enjoy a lot for me.  

1. (Tell us about your new companion.) Elder Bradley. Short. From Midway. He is a great wrestler won state twice (that's for you dad) He is only one transfer ahead of me so we are both very fresh. We work very well together and I am looking forward to this transfer so much. 

2. (Do you get any news from the USA?) No not really at all. I guess that's a good thing but I'm sure we will hear about the Presidential election.  

3.( IS the lady you baptized the one you have been talking about?)  No that is the other elders baptism but we just went for support. Hopefully we will have 2 baptisms on the 13th of October.  

4. (Are you working with anyone right now?  IF so who?) Yes we are working with a few people but we are trying to find more people to teach. We are trying to form good relationships with the members so we can get good referrals. We are trying to kind of rejuvenate the area and I know we are going to work very hard. Ok Matilda she has been to church for months so we are just working out some concerns. Luke is 15 and is great. We just have to teach him a little more and hopefully he will be baptized. 

5. (How do transfers work? Do all the missionaries meet at the mission home?) Yes all the missionaries go to the area office and then to the mission home. They are very close. So on Wednesday I just went to the area office and picked up elder Bradley and took him back to Teshie.  

Thanks mom you are amazing and I love you so much. Well thanks for everything and I hope everyone has a great week. I love and miss you all!

Love Elder Thornhill 

The pink mosquito net 

At the beach

The ice cream that only lasted a day!

His companion and other missionaries.