Week 24

Dear Family,

First off a letter shout out to Dad, Tanisha, and Shan. Thanks for the letters guys. I realized most of my letters are just responding to the letter you guys send so if this is short I'm sorry. This week was another great week. We had a baptism on Saturday. It went well and it was a great experience. At church we had 4 investigators at church which an improvement from last week so I was happy about that. I had a good personal study this week. I have been in the habit of comparing myself to other missionaries and it has not been good to do so. But I was studying from PMG this week and it helped me to know not to compare myself to other missionaries. On page 10 it says don't compare yourself to other missionaries. I know that as long as I am trying my best to fulfill my purpose as a missionary that is all that matters.  

Also this week Elder Thom and I had the privilege of blessing the sacrament. We sung my favorite hymn # 193. It was the most spiritual experience I've had while breaking the bread. I felt the spirit so strongly 

 Its great to hear from you again. WE got to the cafe kind of later today and I was a little annoyed which I shouldn't have been but I'm glad because I got to get the letter from you guys. Oh Kyle I miss that guy. I hope he is doing well. 

1. (What are you doing on p-day?) We wash clean go the market which is pretty crazy. Then we go to the cafe and relax small and then go out at 6. Today we are going to a FHE. It should be fun. 

2. (Will you stay in the area after your companion goes home?) I don't know. He still has one more transfer after this one so I don't know what is going to happen.  

3. (Can you send some pictures?) Well that is kind of hard because I think I left my USB cable in Teshie. So I don't know. I will try and look and maybe next week I can send some.  

4. (Are you really getting fat ? Ha) Kind of I guess. I am eating less here in Mataheko so I'm not as fat as I use to be. Last time I checked I was like 160.

5. (Have you been hit by any cars this week?) No collisions with cars this week. I almost hit a dog though. 

6. (What will you do for Christmas?) We have Christmas conference on the 13th of December and then for Christmas day I will call home and then there is a dinner at a members house for the whole mission. so that should be fun.  

7. (Do you have zone conferences?) Yes we have one tomorrow. 

Dad that is so sweet. (Yesterday, we had a fireside from Bro. Ewudzie, the fourth person to be baptized in Ghana. He said he knew Mitchell from the temple.) That name does look familiar and that is so cool he came to our ward. That is great. He had some sweet purple pants on too. Oh yes I'm sure the English was hard to understand but I'm sure he was awesome.  Good to hear the Aggies are doing well. Carly is going to love it.  

I'm so glad you got to hear from brother Ewduzie. I'm sure it was a great experience. I love the Ghanaian people so much. The church is so true . Sorry it's so short this week but I have to go. Hope everyone has a great week and I love you all.

Love Elder Thornhill 

Week 23

Dear Mom, 
First off HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I know you thought I was going to forget but nope I didn't. I hope your day is great and eat a lot of ice cream for me. Good to hear about the guys. Still the guys I see. Man that is a long time for Daniel to be gone. Send my greetings to both of them. Jeff ah I miss that guy. Thanks for the package. I will try my hardest to wait. Thanks so much for the package.  
1. (How are you getting along with your companion?) We are getting a long good. It's weird just having the two of us in the apartment but its good. Elder Thom is a good missionary and he is such a hard worker.  
2. (Are you on bikes?) Yes we are on bikes. Sometimes we walk though. Funny story. A few days ago we were riding our bikes and this guy pulled out in front of me with his car. He hit me just barely and I had to jump off my bike. Don't worry it wasn't bad at all. But that's not the good part. He tried to blame it on me and then he drove off. But we saw him again just yesterday and talked to him. He asked if I was ok and then we gave him a pamphlet and our number and he said he would call us. It's going to be funny if he actually calls us and we start teaching him. 
3. (Do you go to the mission home much?) No not really. Just for transfers. We have the Christmas conference on Dec 13 so we will be going to the mission home then.  
4. (Do you go on splits and with who?) No I have never been on splits. 
5. (Are you getting a lot of new missionaries?)  I know that next transfer only one elder is leaving but there are 9 elders that are coming. So we are getting new missionaries and I think they are going to have to open and reopen new areas. 
6. (Any baptisms?) We have one on Saturday. Her name is Nadege.  
7. (The best thing you learned this week?) The best thing I learned this week is don't be afraid to talk to anyone., Elder Thom will literally talk to anyone and that is a great quality to have. I also learned of the power of the book of Mormon. During a lesson a gave quite a powerful promise about the book of Mormon and I hope I don't regret it. I hope we get to see the lady this week. Also I learned that I like to read. Who would of thought? ha just kidding but really I read the Book "our search for happiness" by Elder Ballard. It is such a great book. I would recommend it to everyone to read. It gives such a great basic overview about the church and has strengthened my testimony.  
8. (Are you close to the temple?) Yes it's like a 20 minute tro tro ride. The temple and mission home are very close, like walking distance. 
9. (What are you eating?) Well that is a good question mother. Let me see here. Rice, chicken, banku, fufu, oats, bread, pasta, Hot chocolate, FanIce and other things. I am eating well. For once in my life I'm fat. Ok well I'm not that fat but I am a little bigger.  
Thanks mom for writing me each week. It really means a lot. I hope you have a great holiday. I actually saw a turkey this week. Like a live one. This guy were teaching, where he lives there are 2 turkeys. It made me think of thanksgiving. Logan will be sweet and send Kyle my love if you get to see him. Thanks again for everything. 
Love Elder Thornhill

Week 22

Dear Family, 
First off who put the sound of music song on my mp3 player? ha I was listening to it today and that song came on. It was pretty funny. Good to see that Marshall is doing well. Send my regards to him.  
1. (Was it hard packing all your stuff up trying to get it back in your suitcases?) It wasn't too bad. Both bags were pretty full but everything fit in with little effort. Also all that sunscreen and bug spray is taking up a lot of room in my suitcase. I have so much of it. I haven't really used the sunscreen but I had to use the aloe haha.
2. (How do transfers work? Does everyone go to the mission home?) Yes everyone just goes to the mission home and picks up there new companion. If you live in the bush far from the mission home the senior couples drive you in and then take you back.  
3. (Where is your new companion from?) My new companion is Elder Thom from Australia. He is a convert to the church and is 25.  
4. (What do you like best about him?) Elder Thom is such a hard worker and is very obedient. He is so focused on the work. He is a great example to me. We definitely are very different and he has an interesting personality but he really is such a great guy.  
5. (Is your new apartment better or worse than the last one?) The new apartment is better than the last one. It's less dusty and its a lot bigger. There are usually suppose to be 4 missionaries in our apartment but there is only 2 because an area got closed. So it's just me and Elder Thom in our apartment. Our area is called Mataheko and we are very close to the mission home. Closer than Teshie was. We are probably only like 20 minutes from the mission home.  
6. (Does it come with a bike? ha) Yes it comes with a bike. Our area is very big and there use to be 4 elders for our area but now there are just two. Mataheko is more city than Teshie was. It is a lot nicer and there are a lot of nice buildings and there are big roads here too. And the cafe we are at right now is so nice. It even has air conditioning. I am definitely going to enjoy that. 
7. (Do you have investigators you are working with?) Yes we have some investigators we are working with. One named Nadege. She is a French speaking woman and lives with a member of our ward. We have to teach here through the member but it is going well and she will hopefully be baptized this month. 
8. (Has your companion been out longer than you?) Yes Elder Thom goes home in January. He is going home soon but he is still working so hard. He is definitely setting a good example for me in how to finish your mission strong.  
9. (Was the ward different than your last ward?) Yes the ward is a little different. I feel that it is a little bit smaller and not as strong as my last ward. I know we have some work to do but I know that we can do it and if we rely on the Holy Ghost I know good things are going to happen here. 
10. (Do you meet in a actual church building?) Yes we meet at a stake center. It is so big compared to the last building I met in. It is so big. There is like a big grass field and a huge parking lot. It's a very nice building.  
I had some good experiences this week. I was reading in Alma 8 and it was just such a great chapter and what I needed right then. It's a great missionary chapter and you should all read it. Also Elder Thom and I blessed the sacrament. The bishop told us to so we did. It had been a long time so it felt good to bless the sacrament.  
Dad- I know mom did a great job on here talk. She always does. Mom's pretty sweet. Elder Thom really is a great guy. I know that I will come to love him as much as I did elder Bradley. oh and I got to go to the airport on Wednesday with the office elders. We went on splits with them for a few hours and we had to drop of an Elder who was going home. It was weird being at the airport. I got there and just broke down and started crying. Ha just kidding. But I weighed myself and I am still fat. I think I've gained 15 pounds or something. I did some pushups today and now my arms are sore.  
Well family I think that is it for now. It is weird being in a new area. But I know I can grow and learn a lot from my companion and this area. I know that good things are ahead for Matatheko and I truly love this gospel. Everyday I am reminded of how true it really is. It makes so much sense. The Book of Mormon is so true and I know that I need to be nourished by it every day. Hope everyone has a good week! 

Love Elder Thornhill

Week 21

Dear Family, 
Wow that is pretty crazy about Russia. Those people sound pretty misinformed and hopefully it will just blow over and the missionaries can continue to spread the gospel. Yes for the 10 of this month. I am sad though because transfers are on Wednesday and I know that I am being transferred. Elder Bradley found out on Tuesday that he was training so we have known since then that I am being transferred. It has been kind of a sad week and It will be sad to leave Teshie and my amazing companion Elder Bradley. But I know where ever I go it is where the Lord needs me and where I can best fulfill my purpose as a missionary.  
Yes that is kind of a bummer but I know I need to follow the rules set forth by my mission president. Oh sweet I hope he liked it. I will try and get one to Marshall but it will be kind of hard. Tell Skyler hi for me and tell me good job at wearing the bowtie at church. Tell him I hope he enjoys it. 
I promise I won't open the package until Christmas.    

Thanks girls for writing remember to always read your scriptures and to pray. One thing that I have noticed is the importance of praying in the morning. So I would invite all of you my dear sisters to pray in the morning and at night. I know you will feel the Lord more in your life and everything will go better for you. 

 
Dad I am glad Skyler wore the bow tie, I hope he likes it. mission life is good, full of change to come later in this week and I will have a new area and a new companion to tell you about next week. Very true dad I know that I will be blessed for following this rule and all the rules. I actually had the opportunity to give some instruction during district council meeting about obedience. It went really well and I felt the spirit very strongly. It made me realize that as I am more obedient my power as a missionary increases. So it's really not a huge deal. I know that the blessings that come from obedience are essential for missionary work and that in order to fulfill my purpose as a missionary I must be obedient. So it's really ok and writing letter is pretty cool. Even people here have been asking us about the election and Mitt Romney and everything. Thanks dad I hope everything is going well will work and in the bishopric. I know you are doing great. thanks for the example. love you dad

Mom you are slacking this week. No questions? But I do have a few things I need. A journal. Like a nice missionary one to write all my deepest feelings in. so if you could send that is would be nice. And also deodorant just like the degree stuff. You can't find it out here so that would be great too. Thanks mom and remember to send them in the flat rate mailing envelopes.  

Well family I think that is it for this week. I will have a lot to say next letter and this will be an eventful week for sure. So thank you and I hope everyone has a great week, I love and miss you all 
Love Elder Thornhill 

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