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.

Week 15

Dear Mom, 

Yeah those are shirts and pants we had made. It's actually pretty popular here so I had to get one. I'm glad to hear the 4 guys are all doing well and I hope Marshall comes over to the house more. He's a great guy and I miss him. Yes we actually did participate in the service project. We cleaned up the police station. It was a little while ago but it was really fun.  

1. (How are you getting the pictures to us?) Elder Bradshaw's camera has like a wifi hotspot thing so we can just send them from his  camera at the chapel.

2. (Have you seen any of the twelve apostle dresses? The ones that sister clegg talked about.) Yes I have seen one and it was pretty hilarious. It had President Hinckley all over it. It was pretty sweet.  

3. (Do you think you will be transferred?) I don't think I will be transferred but I pretty certain I will be getting a new companion. I'll let you know next week. I'm sure I'll have a lot of good news. 

4. (How many areas in your mission?) I'm really not sure. We have  8 zones I think maybe like 60 areas but I'm really not too sure.  

5. (How many missionaries?) 140 missionaries  

6. (Are you wearing sunscreen?)  No but I have been ok so don't worry. 

7. (Do you need bug spray?) Bug spray I don't need any. Honestly I never see too many mosquitoes but no I don't need any. We have so much in our apartment. 

8. (Have you received any letters ?) Yes I have gotten a few from Hunter, The Davis family and a few others.   

Thanks for the questions mom. I hope you are doing well and I love and miss you. Have a great week 

Happy Birthday Carly! I know it's a little late but I was thinking about you on Friday. And you can buy your own spray paint too,  don't forget about that. It sounds like you had a great birthday and everyone treated you well. I'm sure they party was fun.That song just made my week. Skyler is a master at stuff like that. So funny. Those lines are pretty hilarious.Thanks Carly for writing every week have a great week. Love you 

Kasey it's great to hear from my little hipster. I am definitely going to miss Mexico and its coming up very soon. You are going to have a great time I know it. I'm really glad you like swim and you really are a great little swimmer. You could be really good if you practice and work hard but I'm glad you are enjoying it. Love you  

Nicki I'm sure your life is cheer school and that's it.I hope you have a great week and I love you. 

Abbey is great to hear from you. It sound like cross country is going well and 24 minutes is a great time for a 5k. keep up the good work. You are a great runner. I didn't know you were the class president. I'm sure you are liking it. Yes high school is a lot better than middle school and I'm very happy you are enjoying it so much. Have a great week! I love you 

Dad my week was pretty good. It's been hard because my companion doesn't want to work very hard but I've been getting through it and I have learned a lot for sure. I'm very excited to get a new companion and I'm pretty sure that I am staying in Teshie for another transfer. No rules really for the beach just don't get it and swim is all. Oh yes soda pong is the best way better than the real thing. Sealings are great and Mom is pretty amazing. I love you both. You are both great parents and I'm grateful for the great examples you are to me. I kind of already talked about my companion but he is really a nice guy and we get along great but he is just not a hard worker and it's hard because he is your trainer but I am so excited to get a new companion and be able to use  all the things I've learned from Elder Gunda. I'm glad Marshall came over. I hope he is doing well and I miss that guy.  

Well I think that is it for this week family. I will have exciting transfer news next week and most likely a new companion so that should be good. The church is true and focus on gaining a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon. I read this book this week. A Witness and A Warning by Ezra Taft Benson. It was a great book and it made me realize how important the Book of Mormon is. I am trying to obtain a rock solid testimony of it and I know that doing so will help me when I face the adversary. Well have a great week everyone. I love you all! 

Elder Thornhill

Week 14

Dear Family, 

It's great to hear from all of you and Mom thanks for sending the package. Those are always nice to get. Yes showering last week was not the best thing but it was a good experience. The football will never be good ha but I'm sure the pep rally was good. I'm glad Carly was dressed modestly. It really does make a difference and I'm glad they do. I know I appreciate a lot when girls dress modestly. You know what they say modest is the hottest.  The companionship is good and I'm pretty sure my companion is leaving next transfer which is next Wednesday. He has been in the area for 7 months and I'm sure he is leaving. I'm excited to get a new companion. Oh before I forget Dad I heard the bad news about Lance Armstrong. I guess we can't trust anyone in the cycling world now. And also did the Aggies beat Wisconsin? Well that all I think dad. I know you probably don't watch sports anymore will all those women in the house so I'm sorry for that. 

Mom I'm glad your back is feeling better and the marathon in December should be good. I think I want to run at least one when I get back home. 26.2 miles is a long way though. you are one tough old bird. I'm actually really glad Kasey is doing swimming. I think it will help her out a lot. She has a natural gift for swimming and hopefully it will help her to worry less about things and help her to sleep.  

1. (Do you get to exercise daily?) Yes I ride my bike everywhere. I think that counts as exercise. I know I feel tired afterwards. But I think I need to start doing some pushups and sit-ups. My six pack is looong gone so I think I will start doing that. 

2.(Is the traffic crazy?) Yes the traffic is beyond crazy. I haven't been hit by a car but there have been some close calls. But don't worry the Lord is watching over me that I know for sure. 

3.(Have you spoken in church yet?) Other than bearing my testimony no I have not spoken in church. 

4. (Who are you working with? Your investigators?) The girl named Bariksu. She is kind of crazy because she always calls us but she is a sweet girl and has been to church a few times. She is definitely a character and it's always fun to be around her. 

5. (Have you had anymore baptisms?) No we have not had any more baptisms but we are planning on baptizing a husband and wife later this month so that should be good. 

6. (When are transfers?) Next Wednesday the 26th. I'm pretty certain my companion is leaving and I will be getting a new one. 

7. (How much do you get to go to the temple?) At Christmas we go and other than that not really at all.  

And yes 3rd Nephi is great and it's great to compare the be attitudes from the bible to the book of moron. It pretty great how the Book or Mormon is so clear and perfect. But I love 3rd Nephi and also Mosiah. Its great and King Benjamin is pretty powerful. Thanks for the package mom you are the best! Love you tons 

Carly thanks for the updates on your life. I'm sure you look very nice in your new uniforms and they probably make you play a lot better right? The pep rally sounded like it went well so good job with that and tell Nicki good job with partner stunting. "Being cool" in the worlds standards really isn't being cool at all. I'm glad you stood up for what you believe and have been a good example of a Latter Day Saint. I know I've told you this before but parties like that are just a waste of time and don't lead to anything good. Well I'm glad you had a great week Carly. Keep up the good work and I love and miss you. 

Kasey my favorite hipster! How are you? I'm excited to hear that you are doing swim team and I know you are a great swimmer and you will do great. I know school is not your favorite thing in the world but I know you can get through it and I know you are going to be just fine. I love you Kasey you are pretty great and you always make me feel good. Even here in Ghana when I think about you I always get a smile on my face so thank you. Have a great week. I love you 

Well family I think this is it. We had a mission tour on Thursday with President Dickson there. He is straight power and he only has one arm. But mission tour was great and Iove talking with other missionaries. I met another guy from Utah State Elder Tribe. He is sweet and I can tell we are going to be good friends. Well this week was great and I can't wait for the next one. Hope you all have a great week and stay safe. I love and miss you all.

Elder Thornhill

Week 13

Dear Family, 

Mom I'm sorry you hurt your back but I guess you are getting a little older haha. But I really do hope you start feeling better soon. I'm sure Carly and Nicki like it that you come even though you may feel like one of those crazy parents. I'm glad Abbey did well. She has a lot of potential so I hope she takes advantage of it because I know she could be a great runner. Great Job Abbey.  

1. (Have you seen any strange animals?) No strange animals yet. Just a lot of goats, chickens and sheep running around everywhere. There are big lizards here and we had a huge spider in our apartment last week but really no cool animals yet. 

2. (What is the English like there, can you understand what people are saying?) The English is a lot different and is sometimes hard to understand but I am getting use to it and can understand most everyone.  

3. (Have you picked up any words from different tribes?) Just a few words of twi here and there. It's kind of hard to learn but I'm learning small small (a little).

4. (Can you drink the water?) No but we have a filter in our apartment and we can buy these things that are basically Ziploc bags filled with water. Funny story we ran out of water this week for like 4 days so we had to use those little packs of water for everything. To shower if you can call it that. More like a light sprinkling. To cook and for everything else. It has been kind of hard but I'm very grateful for water now.  

5. (Have you been sick at all from the food?) No I have not gotten sick once from the food. My throat was sore for a few days but that has been the only time I have been sick.  

6. (What is the weather like? Hot ?) The weather is hot but it's really not to bad its getting into the dry season so it will be getting hotter but it's not too bad. 

7.( What do you want in your package we are sending you?) You're sending me a package? Alright I wasn't expecting one but thank you. Maybe some notebooks to write in for my study journals and some scripture markers. Like the colored pencil type ones that work well. And a pencil sharpener if they need it. That's about all I can think off. Thank you so much.  

8. (How are your shoes?) My shoes are very good but I think for Christmas I'm going to buy a nice pair of shoes here that I can wear to church so I can look a little more fashionable and fit in more with the Ghanaians.  

Thanks mom for the questions. Oh I got a new mosquito net this week and its pink. Haha it makes my room a lot brighter and now a have a little princess bed. It's pretty great. The pictures are really really hard to send but I will try to send some.   

Carly it's good to hear from you. And no I don't poop at parties. It seems like you are going to have a crazy week. Badminton seems like it is going well and beat all those Asians for me. I think you will win and you have my vote for homecoming queen. I'm really glad you decided to be an example to your friends Carly that is great. Parties are so stupid and that's one thing I wish I wouldn't have done in high school. I went to parties because I thought that is what the cool kids do and if I don't drink it's not a big deal. But what I know now is that it is a big deal and that we shouldn't put ourselves in those situations. So good job Carly. I'm sure you did good on the ACT and the half should be fun with Tomasi. I didn't know she was a runner. Well Jeff is going to be a great missionary and its seems weird that I am almost done with training and he is just barely going into the MTC.  Garret actually send me a letter a few weeks ago. 

Kasey you are the greatest. I am always telling Elder Bradshaw about your hipster ways. I hope goodwill is treating you well. Yes I remember Mexico. My whole body hurt so bad and I had to wear socks but it made for a great rap didn't it? I'm sure you will enjoy it this year and swim plenty. No cool animals yet but hopefully one day. Have a great week Kasey. 

Dad mission life is good and I definitely laughed a lot this week. Elder Bradshaw and I are pretty good friends now so we are always laughing and smiling. It's pretty great and I'm becoming way more comfortable with the people. Just the other day we were trying to buy some oranges but we didn't have any money. I was just asking the price so we could come back but we just talked to the people there and they gave us like 15 free oranges it was pretty awesome. Thanks for the sport updates. I'm glad the Aggies are doing well this year. Hopefully they can continue to get better. That was a huge win against the U and if they keep playing like they did I'm sure they will make it to a bowl game. Elder Bradshaw actually lived with Chuckie last year in the LLC so he knows him pretty well. Yes he is a great player. I'm sorry about the pictures but it takes forever to send them but I will really try this next week to send them. On Thursday we have a mission tour and Elder Dickson of the seventy will be there. We all have to prepare talks about tithing and he will pick 3 or 4 missionaries to share their talks on Thursday. That kind of scares me but I know if I prepare and I'm guided by the spirit I will be just fine. This week is going to be great and today we might get some lobster to eat. We are going by the ocean with one of our investigators who is a fisherman and hopefully he will hook us up with some stuff. Well that's it for this week. I love and miss you all. 

Love Elder Thornhill   

Week 12

Dear Family, 

Carly it's good to hear from you and you always give me great updates on everything so keep up the good work. Thanks Carly you're great and have a great week and be safe. 

Hello mom. Oh first off I used my hair clippers for the first time and they worked pretty well. Elder Bradshaw gave me a nice haircut but definitely not what I'm use to ha.  

1. (Where do you get a computer?) Basically anywhere there are internet cafe's all over the place. There is one by our apartment but right now we are at one by the chapel. But really anywhere you go there are cafe's that you can use. 

2. (Do you see your mission president a lot?) Umm not really but he writes us a letter every week. The only time we see him is during zone conferences. But President Judd is pretty much amazing. He is very powerful and I'm sure he will be an apostle some day. He's great and I love him.  

3. (Is your bed comfortable?) Yes my bed is very comfortable and I sleep like a baby. I look forward to my bed each night and it is surprisingly comfortable. I have like a mattress and then like a smaller pad that I sleep on.  

4. (What do you do on your preparation day?) Get up, Wash, study, clean, go shopping for food and then cafe. I get a lot done on p day  and I love it.  

5. (Do you use your Frisbee?) Yes I have used it a little. I think me and Elder Bradshaw are going to try and use it more. He will actually play with me so that's good. 

6. (Where did you get the bike?) They had them already at the apartment. They have them at every apartment and when you get transferred you just get the one that's left at your new apartment.  

Thank you for all the questions and I had a great week. I spent 10 cedi's on ice cream that I thought was going to last me a week but ended up only lasting me a day so that was good hah. Lesson learned never buy 1 big thing of ice cream cause I will just eat it all. Mom I hope you have a great week and I love and miss you. Don't worry about me really I'm just dandy. 

Dad you almost had me going with the Nicki story. I might almost believe it. Mom and everyone loves that dog too much ha. It's comforting to know that everyone cares about me back home and send everyone in the ward my greetings. I'm glad mom did well and she always does a great job at here talks. Maybe someday I'll be like her. Thanks for writing dad it means a lot. Thanks for everything that you do and the great example you are. I love you. 

The mission has been great so far and the traveling was very extensive. The plane ride was very long but I guess it's kind of necessary. My companion is a great man from Zimbabwe and he is very nice. We get along great it's amazing. The spirit here is very strong and Sunday meetings are a great time for me and partaking of the sacrament each week has taken on a greater importance. My testimony is very strong and I know that the more we share our testimonies the more they will grow and be strengthened. The people in Ghana are amazing and I love it here. There is something about serving the Lord that is so great it's hard to describe. I hope everyone back in Alameda ward is doing great. 

There it is. I hope it's ok. Well this week was also the Teshie festival which was actually pretty crazy. There were so many people and everyone was running up and down the road. It was pretty crazy but a great experience. This week has been good and I found one of my new favorite scriptures during my personal study. Jacob 6:12. "O be wise What can I say more?" I really love this scripture and it is so simple. Be wise that's it. I hope that I can use this scripture and remember always to be wise and I think that life will be a lot easier and temptations wont have as much power. Well I think that's it for now. Family have a great week and I can't wait to hear from you next week. I love and miss you all. 

Love Elder Thornhill