Feb. 17, 2014

My dear family,

Oh how very much I am learning! The Lord's work continues to "roll forth" through our area and throughout the mission. The members are becoming more excited and we have lots of members who will go out and teach with us this week. It is so amazing to see the difference the members can make in the lives of those investigating the church. For example, yesterday the family of Guilherme, Mateus, Amanda and Geovana weren't at church when we got there- as my companion and I were conversing about what to do, a member came up to us who knows the family- he had recognized that the family wasnt there, and asked if he could go pick them up. He did, and they had such a positive experience at church.

Quickly, I want to share something Pres. Pinho shared with us. He heard this story-

"The sole survivor of a shipwreck was able to reach a small deserted island. He asked God to save him. Daily he looked closely at the horizon waiting for help, but it seemed there was no hope. Exhausted with the passage of time, he managed to build a small wooden hut to protect and save the few belongings they had left. However, one day, after seeking out something to eat, he came home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rising into the sky. The worst had happened, all was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he shouted. However, early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. The ship had come to save him. "How did you know I was here?" he asked. "We saw the smoke signal," they replied.

He then said this: In China, the word crisis is synonymous with opportunity.

Thus, to act in difficult times, the secret being to trust God and have an attitude of faith, optimism, motivation and patience. Often in difficult moments we give up everything, all, however, our attitudes in these moments will make all the difference in our success or failure.

I know this to be true. As we experience the tests of mortality, these can be great opportunities for our learning and personal growth. I know that the Lord is always there with an extended hand outstretched towards us, inviting us to come unto Him. Only by coming unto Him can we receive "peace in this life, and eternal life in the world to come."

I love you!

Sister Katie Thornhill

Feb. 3, 2014

Oi minha querida família!!!

 

Well it was another week of work, joy, (serious) heat, yes some challenges too, and miracles! :) Our district here in Parelheiros often calls our area "Pareleitos" because we indeed find (and believe in finding) many Eleitos (the Elect of God)! Só milagres every day, not only this area but on the mission. It is amazing to me each and every day to see the miracles that happen by the hand of the Lord. This week we were especially happy because three of God's elect children were baptized yesterday- Mayara, Mariane (twins) e Flavio. They are truly special and as always words cannot describe the joy and light seen and felt as they entered the waters of baptism. Flavio, 10 years old said to us in response to the question Why are you excited to be baptized? He said, "I am excited because I know I will be happy because I will be following the way of God and Jesus Christ. Someday I want to be an Elder (missionary)." And he will be, no doubt about it.

 

We are also teaching a family- Amanda and Giovana are sisters (15 and 14 years old) and their brothers Guilherme and Mateus (19 and 17). They LOVED church yesterday and the ward is really helping us with them, making them feel welcome and comfortable. Testimony meeting in our ward was so amazing yesterday. Every single testimony was truly powerful. One testimony in particular I will never forget and I don't think anyone will. There is a member of the ward, an older man probably in his 80s, with cancer who is in truly bad shape. But there he was at church, and oh how powerful his testimony was as another member of the ward wheeled him up to the front in a wheelchair so he could fulfill his desire to bear testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel. After him, his daughter got up and told us how he can't remember a lot of things because of memory loss, but one thing he remembers perfectly and talks about frequently- His Priesthood and his love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He understands his role as a faithful holder of the Priesthood of God and his desire to bless others still lives on and is remembered by everyone, especially his family members. It made me think about and realize how very important, even vital, it is for all of us to live in such a way that we will never forget our divine roles as sons and daughters of God.

 

What a privilege it is to be living on the earth today. What glory it is to have the restored gospel in our lives. And what a necessity it is as members to share this glorious gospel with all the world. The Church and Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through the calling of the prophet Joseph Smith. Thomas S. Monson is the prophet for all the world on the earth today. I know that as we follow the prophet- in every way possible- God blesses us tremendously! This morning in my personal study I learned about how the first thing that Adam felt after partaking of the fruit was fear. But as we know, God provided for us a Savior. And BECAUSE OF THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST, WE DON'T NEED TO FEAR. I love my Savior and I strive each day to do as Helaman counsels in Helaman 3:35.

 

I love you all! Until next week,

 

Sister Thornhill

JANUARY 27TH, 2014

With all the changes that happened this week, one thing never changed- the joy I feel sharing the gospel each day!!!! I am loving my new area, Parelheiros, and hope to stay here for a while. It is so beautiful- lots of green!! It's not what you would picture the city of São Paulo being like at all really. This week was SO hot, but we also had a few huge rainstorms. I always love the rainstorms, it reminds me of NC. My new companion is Sister L. Silva! She is so great and how grateful I am to be serving with her! She is from Arcari (Northern Brasil) and has 11 months in the mission. I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn from all her experience. She has been a member for only 4 years and is just wonderful. Her testimony is so sincere and like it says in PMG, sometimes people may question the things you say intellectually, but no one can question a sincere, heartfelt testimony. Our district leader is also great- our first district meeting with him, he asked for the names of each of our family members and sincerely cares. The bishop of the ward here is Bishop Brito and he is probably the most humble person I've ever met. I love the people I serve with, and I love the people I serve. And most of all, I love the Lord and I know His love for us is the greatest love of all!

Have a wonderful week and always remember your worth in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.

Love,

Sister Katie Thornhill

NEW ADDRESS!!!

NEW ADDRESS!!!

SISTER KATIE THORNHILL
Missão São Paulo Interlagos Rua Comendador Elias Zarzur, 365 
Santo Amaro São Paulo - SP 04736-000
BRAZIL

JAN. 20TH

I have little time today to write an email because my companion and I have to travel to the mission office. My companion is actually flying home today because of some personal issues. Hopefully I will have more time later today, but I don't think I will, so next week I really promise to write a good long email to all of you!

This week, well the last few weeks, has been different and somewhat challenging. We were serving in Santo Amaro for about a week waiting for our house to be ready in the new area. Now in the new area, we are starting from scratch- finding new investigators, getting to know the area (which is the biggest in the mission by the way haha- LOTS of walking here), getting to know the members,etc. This week we found lots of people who are interested in our message and I'm looking forward to teaching more lessons this week. I love teaching lessons- it's central to everything we do as missionaries. Have I mentioned how grateful I am for Preach My Gospel? It is SO inspired and helps, even guides us, in our teaching and striving to be better teachers and missionaries.

I will share a quick spiritual experience I had recently: We had a meeting this last week for all the sisters in the mission with President and Sister Pinho. It was so so wonderful! There are so many sisters here in our mission (and throughout the world!) It's really amazing and to me, it's a vision of how strong the women of the church are, and how very needed faithful, virtuous women are in our world today. I also loved how Pres. Pinho said that at the side of a great man is always a great woman. I hope to be this kind of a woman! How grateful I am for the many examples I have in my life who help me fulfill my potential as a daughter of God. Thank you!

I love you all so very much always. I love the Lord! This week is going to be full of hard work and miracles! :)

Sister Katie Thornhill

TRANSFERS! :)

Transfers were this last week and I have been transferred to a new area!!! The area of Parelheiros! Its the same situation as last transfer- the area has never had sisters serving there before, but we have 4 elders there. AND the big news... I AM TRAINING A NEW MISSIONARY!!!!! I can't believe the Lord and Presidente Pinho have entrusted ME with this great responsibility. I feel so unqualified to do this, but I know the Lord is on my side always and as I seek to know and do His will, everything will work out just fine. He will qualify us as His servants as we do His work with our all (D&C section 4). I am really happy, (a little nervous), and excited for this next transfer!!!!! :)

I think you are right on- less active people feel uncertain about coming to church, and feel that no one notices that they're not there or that they have the capacity to contribute- But that is Satan's way only- to make us feel that we can't do things, and especially feeling that no one cares about us. We are children of God! We have always been, and will always be. Our potential is divine and eternal. (Psalms 82:6- I think that's the right scripture, about our being children of GOD.)

President Pinho said the following in his email to me this week:

Querida Sister Thornhill;

Thank you for all your hard work. I just want you to know that the Lord knows your heart and desires, knows your potential and He trusts in all you do. Now, I want you to enjoy your mission. Trust in your potential. You are a great missionary. I know that you are training and opening a new area, but, remember that the Lord calls only who he knows and trust. So, don´t be afraide, The Lord will qualify you, ok? Your are His servant and you are on his errand. You are great, so smile, just your best, and He will bless you. Have fun.... This is a great expereience and it will make you a much better person, and I am here to help you. ok?

In my mind, this is what the Lord says to each one of us in our strivings to serve Him:

"Thank you for all your hard work. I want you to know that I know your heart and desires, I know your potential and trust in all that you do. Now, I want you to enjoy your life. Trust in your potential. You are a child of God. (You are a great mother, wife, husband, son, visiting teacher, home teacher etc). I know that you are doing and experiencing many hard things, but, remember that I have called you, because I know and trust YOU. So, don't be afraid; I will qualify you to do my work. You are my servant, and you are on my errand. You are great, so smile, just be your best, and I will bless you. This is a great experience in your life and it will make you a better person, and you will experience greater happiness than you can ever imagine. I am here always."

"LEARN OF ME AND LISTEN TO MY WORDS, WALK IN THE MEEKNESS OF MY SPIRIT, AND YE SHALL HAVE PEACE IN ME."

How very grateful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I know that the gospel is perfect. Our Father has provided the perfect plan for us- He sent His perfect Son to atone for us so that we could have "peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come." I love the Lord and how grateful I am for His life, example, and especially for His atoning sacrifice for us.

Sister Katie Thornhill

Brasil WEEK 6

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Feliz Natal! :)

Today we had a big meeting with the entire mission for Christmas, It was so awesome! How very blessed we are to have Presidente e Sister Pinho leading our mission. Pres. Pinho bore the most powerful testimony/expressed his love for us- He said that we are his children, and he expects an invite to each of our marriages, children's baptisms, etc. He said that when we have our own children and they are baptized and TRULY CONVERTED, this is true success to him and Sis. Pinho. He also emphasized how real it is that the Lord chose each of us to be His representatives in this mission at this time. I felt the truth of this so strongly... I also felt this yesterday when 3 of our investigators were baptized!!!!! :) :) :) Wahoo!!! Luciano (the RS president's husband) was baptized before church, and after Queteria and her son Dennis were baptized- one of her other sons, Kelvin, was all ready to be baptized but at the last second he didnt do it because he has a fear of water (he is 9). But we are going to try again this Sat. :) I will attach a picture of them to this email- Words cannot even begin to describe the feelings that were felt seeing these children of our Loving Father entering the waters of baptism. I will tell all details when I skype you all this week!

This is what missionary work is all about, helping others come unto the Savior so that they can enjoy the fruits of living the His gospel. I love the Lord and know that every baptism that "we" have is not really ours, it's always HIS, the one who made all of this possible- the Salvation and Redemption of souls. How honored I feel this Christmas to not only remember my Savior, but to represent Him.

I love you all and will see and talk to you soon!!!! :) Tchau for now!

LOVE,

Sister Katie Thornhill