"It ain't over till the fat lady sings!

Hahahaha I can imagine what that would be like getting a random call from the mission president! But that's cool he called you. In my departing interview he told me that he and the Lord were very proud of me and he felt like he needed to tell my mother that too. So he asked me for your number! He is an amazing man too, the Illinois Chicago mission is in great hands! 

So good to hear you guys were able to make it down to president and sister Binghams homecoming. now you understand what I mean when I talk about them. I respect and look up to them so much! They definitely changed my life! I wish I could have been there to hear them speak. But I'm glad you got to meet and talk to them, and that they had good things to say about me lol. 

I can't wait to hug you too! Only 3 more weeks. It's hard to believe and it doesn't feel real. There is still work for me to do here. It ain't over till the fat lady sings!;) president Bingham gave me some really good talks about returning home and I know for sure that it won't stop in 3 weeks, but I will be a servant of the Lord for the rest of my life!! 

This week was great! Idk if I told you about Leady and Fernando, but they are two kids 11, and 9, and we are preparing them for baptism on August 3rd. They are on track and I'm praying so hard that they stay on track and I get to see them make that covenant with God!! Their family is so awesome, so much fun. We meet with them on Thursdays and Sundays and the mom, Idania, always feeds us the best Dominican republic food. I'm excited to tell you all about how we found them when I get home. It's such a cool story! The Lord definitely has his hand in this work, Mom. I know that he lives! 

Brother Filio is taking us downtown for our preparation day so it should be a good time. I love you and miss you guys lots!

- Elder Thorpe 

"God bless the USA"

We haven't heard from Tyler yet but Leo is so solid! He met with the missionaries last week and went to church on Sunday!! We asked him about it and he said "it was great, I had a good time. I'll definitely be going back next week" so dope.

 Man I'm excited to get into the come follow me when I get home, it sounds pretty awesome!! I love acts 2. I feel like all those people who think speaking in tongues is just rambling in an unknown language have never actually read acts 2. It's so clear what the gift of tongues Is!

The 4th of July is one of my all time favorite holidays, I love America. Haha elder Bonvissuto was probably annoyed with me because I was singing "God bless the USA" all day long haha. We had a typical missionary day, nothing different. We did go to dinner at red lobster tho just us. Elisette gave us a gift card, it was so nice of her.

We met president Shumway this week! He is awesome! So is his wife and family! I love them, sad I only get a few more weeks with them. I also had a departing interview with him yesterday which was super good. He gave me some great advice and a blessing too, good stuff. 

Love you all!

Elder Thorpe

1. 4th of July dinner

2. Knee high on the 4th of July! 

3. Good times

4. Me and my posterity. Gibby, Freeze, Bonvissuto, and Egbert 

- Elder Thorpe 

Independence week!

This is a little bit of what Elder Thorpe sent this week:  (No group email)

This week was great! Do you remember Tyler? He is the summer sales guy that we have been teaching. Well we met with him last Monday morning and he brought his friend Leo. Holy cow was Leo prepared and he motivated Tyler to be more into it too!! They decided to stop the summer sales out here and go back home so they both left on Saturday. Bc Leo was so into the gospel and he kept saying "it all makes so much sense" we ended up meeting with them every morning this week before they left. We taught them all the lessons and they both committed to be baptized and they are excited to meet the missionaries in New York (tyler) and New Jersey (leo) and continue preparing for baptism! It was such an amazing experience getting to know and teach them, I love those guys so much. I'll send some pictures we took with them.

- Elder Thorpe 

This is Tyler and Leo.  Also Sister Bayne, the member who found Tyler, all of our lessons were in her house.  Then a picture of her son Adam who sat in on the lessons too.  He is inactive, but still bore some awesome testimony!