Charlie Chaplin in Chester County?

Let's talk about my weird craftiness, and the awkwardness that ensues. So, apparently I just work with coconuts, but anyway, I wanted to make a bowl out of this coconut. It rested flat, and had broken along the edges relatively even. So I've been sanding it down, and sanding it down some more. Finally, last week, I got it to the point where I thought it was finished. Then I realized I wanted to use some sort of finish to kind of seal the deal and make it look a little better, so we went to the store to get some wood stain or something. Alas, the store didn't have wood stain, so, my backup plan? Clear nail polish. I however, am not well versed in nail polish, and it turned out to be more complicated than I had anticipated. In the end, I resorted to grabbing all the nail polish bottles with clear insides (there were more than I thought there should be) and just having the lady at the register help me out by telling me what each one did, and how they would look after drying. Needless to say, she thought I was a bit crazy. Nevertheless, I polished my coconut, bleached the inside, and now I have a little candy bowl.

 

 

While we are on the topic of awkwardness and photos, this sometimes happens at district meeting... 

Also, Welcome to Coatesville! The bane of Chester County!

The rest of the week was filled with fun and awesome missionariness. Including, but not limited to: teaching investigators in Kenya over Facebook (that time difference, it's getting in the way), having wonderful conversations with British families, meeting French speakers, lots and lots of lightning, going on exchanges with awesome elders, being hounded by hounds while trying to conduct a baptism interview, petting some goats, and waiting 5 hours for an oil change.

So, life is brilliant.

Love,
Elder Horne

The Lost Phone

Hello hello hello.

Just a heads up: Elder Vickers and I are awful at taking pictures, so you are about to see a lot less of them. Sorry. 

So, let's start off with some fun miracles before I get into the rest of the week. 

~ The Lost Phone ~

This past Thursday we had just finished weekly planning and were leaving the church. As we were driving towards our apartment for dinner, I felt that we should go to Wendy's for dinner instead, so we looped around and started heading that way. #Miracle1

While ordering our dinner at Wendy's, we suddenly realized that we didn't have our phone. We had left it on the windowsill in the primary room where we were planning (so it could get signal). Now, we are the only missionaries in the district that don't have keys to the church. The rest of the district had left or were about to leave the chapel when we did, so we doubted anyone would be there. That's when we remembered the Rutledges. They had keys to the church and had told us we could stop by any time to use them. They also happened to live right next to the Wendy's. #Miracle2

We drove over to their house with our food, to see if we could use their keys, but nobody was home! We decided to sit outside on their porch and eat our dinner, in the hopes thar they would show up. Shortly after saying a prayer, a slightly confused and amused Sister Rutledge pulled up! #Miracle3

We then headed to the church, where we found our phone, and realized that we had left one of the back doors to the church unlocked from earlier that day. So we locked it back up, and made it home in time for splits. #Miracle4

What I find so cool about this experience, was that we were able to witness so many miracles just lined up one after another. We could have just been enlightened and remembered we had left a door unlocked, but then I don't think we would have recognized the Lords hand in that. This way, we were able to see clearly the candy trail of miracles that we were following. Which is almost another miracle in and of itself. 

Then, we ended the week off great with the Williamsons. Usually we work, eat, teach, and run, but on Saturday we were able to enjoy the fruits of our labors! I tore up some old wooden thing (just prying up all the planks), and Elder Vickers chopped up the wood. Then we burnt all the wood and were able to roast marshmallows on the fire! It was a blast. 

Last but certainly not least, the newest edition to my plant menagerie: Bonsly! 

 

Those coconuts are actually balancing on each other. 

I don't know how I manage these things...

(I transplanted him into something I thought was cooler)

 

BONSLY!

Love,
Elder Horne

Transfer Miracles

Just when I thought transfers couldn't get any more wild... So, last week I mentioned how we thought (and not only thought, were told) that we were getting spanish sisters to replace the spanish elders. Well, change of plans and they ended up putting english elders into the spanish group with a ton of spanish investigators. Just when I thought President Anderson couldn't get any more unpredictable... Long story short, we got english elders, but then a spanish sister just came into the mission, and they are switching apartments today. Transfer madness. (So in the end we still got a Hermana anyways)

Speaking of transfers, they happened! Elder Murphy is off in Delaware (I totally called it) with a brilliant companion, and my new companion is Elder Vickers! Flash back to last fall, Elder Vickers and I served in the same district when I was still in Jersey.
 

The Atlantic City District, back in September. He is the balding one in the top right.

Now we are serving together! He is from Centerville, UT and has been out for a whopping 21 months! He only has this transfer and the next. Good thing he isn't trunky. So, we think that I will either stay with him until he goes home, and then for another transfer with someone else, or that I'll leave after this transfer. We'll see what happens! Anyway, we're excited, it's going to be awesome.
 

 It was sad saying goodbye to Elder Murphy, he was such a good companion, we had so much fun together, and we were both able to grow a lot from these past two transfers. He's going to do fantastic in his new area, I have no doubts.

We also had to unexpectedly say goodbye to the Scanlans!! That was no fun either, they are going back to Montana. We are going to miss them! They've had us over for dinner so many times, and we have had so much fun. Elder Vickers only got to see them once. At least we'll be able to stay in touch on Facebook!

 

Sister Scanlan gave me an autographed set of her children's books!

Other than that, we had a pretty good week. First week with a new companion is always a bit of a roller coaster, but it always ends good. Just working working working! This week the district has been focused on recognizing miracles, so I write those down every night, here are a few:

- A member gave us ice cream (sisters)
- Both goldens (we have two brand new missionaries in the district!) extended a baptismal invitation their first day, and both people accepted.
- Sisters were late to volleyball, and we were able to have a really power lesson with a less active member.
- A man who just moved here from Mexico came to church on Sunday, saying that he was just taught all the lessons (in Mexico) and wants to be baptized.

Miracles are everywhere in the Lord's work, and in the details of our lives, we just sometimes need to be better at recognizing them!

Love,
Elder Horne

'Murican Mini Golf

This week, was fantastic.

On Monday, we went to this little glow-in-the-dark mini-golf place that was tucked away in the middle of nowhere. Sorry none of my pictures are very good, the flash took the glow away. It was a lot of fun though, I even managed to get  a hole-in-one

 

Jack Sparrow pirate

 

Hurray for white shirts!

 

Really happy pirate

 

Birthday cake!

 

Hole in ONE

 
Throughout the week we stumbled across this random hidden treasures:

 

Saw this on the side of a building in Coatesville

 

We were tracting and saw this dead bat on someones door. Oh, abandoned houses...

We ended the week off with a fabulous 4th of July. Our district went to several different parks where they were having Independence Day celebrations, and drew with chalk! I have never before done any "chalk finding" but it was a lot of fun. We made a big American flag, the Constitution, and the Liberty Bell. Next to the American flag we wrote, "I Love America because..." and let people come up and write different reasons they love America! A member and her friend also came by and made this brilliant thank you note. It was a really neat opportunity to talk to people as they were walking by, and immediately have that connection that we could discuss with them. People were very friendly, and it was nice to get a more positive rapport with the community.

 

The District

 

Helping color

  

 

 

Messy chalk fingers (and pants)

Afterwards we went and had dinner and played games with some members, and it was so much fun! President gave us permission to stay out an hour past our bed time (which was super weird) so that we could watch the fireworks with members. We ended up playing mancala and some card games while watching one of the Christmas Mormon Tabernacle Choir concerts. It was great!

 

Right now we are dealing with transfer madness... Elder Murphy is leaving and I am staying. The  other Elders in our district are leaving and we think they are being replaced with Spanish sisters, which would leave my new companion and I to be the only elders in a district with 6 sisters. It's already pretty crazy since we have more sisters in our zone than elders. Next week I'll let you guys know about my new companion, and if we are overwhelmed by sister missionaries (we're lucky they are awesome)!

Love,
Elder Horne

PS our zone is fantastic

Twenty (Fourteen?)

I didn't want to just talk about my birthday, but that's where all my pictures and fun stories come from; so, sorry. 

The 28th of June was a perrty exciting day. I'll run/walk/write you through it. 

First: I made some bomb s'more cupcakes. They were so good! I wasn't sure how they would turn out, mostly because I never bake, but also because I am horrible at making cookies. However, it seems my cupcake creating skills are a bit more exceptional. Have a look for yourself:

 

 

I thought there would be more filling...

 There it is!

Second: there was a baptism! One of the kids in the ward was getting baptized (with a huge cast on her leg, yikes!), so we were able to go to that during the afternoon. That was a really special birthday present and tender mercy from The Lord. 

However, at every baptism there are always awkward moments. So, this time, the family had asked us to fill the font, and so while we were waiting for it to fill, that's when I made the cupcakes. I wasn't fast enough though, and the family came early to make sure everything was ready to go, as I was still finishing the frosting and topping. They all kept coming over and were complimenting how good they smelt and looked, and I was just standing there thinking, "uh, I hope you know these aren't for you..." which they must have realized once I hid them in the library. Oops. 

Third: the lighting of the candles! We were planning on doing this at the church once I had finished, but once the family showed up we just thought it would be weird. 

I ended up throwing this cupcake away, because the fire was messing with my camera, so we had to keep lighting and blowing out the candles until I could get a relatively decent picture (on Elder Murphy's camera, eventually). Which resulted in the cupcake itself being covered in wax from the candles being lit for so long. It was worth the sacrifice, I think. 

Fourth: fun things happened while we were out visiting people in the evening. The first was this Spanish family throwing a birthday party for someone other than myself. However, I thought I would at least get a picture with their Happy Birthday sign. What was already weird became unbearably funny as we realized that their window was open and that they were all staring at me. To make matters worse, as we were about to drive away, I didn't change gears all the way and the car was in neutral. We were parked on a hill. So, they also got to see us accidentally roll down the hill and onto the sidewalk, loudly revving our engine the whole time. (No individuals or vehicles were harmed in this event, although Elder Murphy was a bit startled). 

 

(sorry this picture quality isn't very good, my camera was still weird after the candles)

Then we were stopping by another person, and their cat was just sitting outside on their railing, so I was obviously petting it. When I stopped, in order to get my attention this cat rolled over. Poor thing must have forgotten it was on the hand rail. Well, it certainly caught my attention as it fell off. She didn't come back for me to pet her after that.

Lastly: the bubbles. The blue, glow in the dark bubbles. My first thought was, "ok, these could be pretty cool." Little did I know, they would be awesome! Before we realized it, it was past our bed time, the bathroom sink was eerily glowing like the Penseive, and our floors and walls looked like the Milky Way. I checked to make sure that there would be no lasting damage, don't worry. 

There you have it, out goes 19, in comes 20. 

Love,
Elder Horne

PS we were walking up to this gate, and seeing the signs I started barking to see if a huge dog would come up to attack us. Nothing happened, so we started shaking the gate to see if there were any dogs outside. Out comes this little guy; the cutest, nicest puppy ever! He didn't even bark!

So many chickens...

Hello hello hello,

So, this is weird. I am starting the last week of my life as a teenager! I feel so grown up and big (not really). Now I'll be a 20 year old missionary! Shucks, it was fun being an 18 year old missionary while it lasted. Being 19 seemed normal, but being 20... I'm no longer one of the young missionaries in the mission. Hopefully we'll find something exciting to do to celebrate, I'll think of something. 

I wonder if people will think I am 15, rather than 14 now...

Now, I have to share this before I am out my teenage years. Here are all the Pokemon that I caught, before they ran out!! Left to right: Pikachu, Blastoise, Charizard, Venusaur, and Xerneas. 

 

I'd be lying if I said we didn't have a ton of fun playing with these. We'd also bring them to members homes with little kids so they could play with them. It's been a grand ole time. 

Ok, next. These pictures are starting to build up, and I'm becoming way too obsessed with picking up people's chickens. Actually, all pets are in danger of being chased after in my attempts to hold them... I love pets and plants way too much. 

 

 

I wasn't actually crushing this chicken... I just didn't want it to get away...

   

Anyway. Missionary work is the best. Like, you may think I'm exaggerating, or that I'm just kidding, but seriously. For reals. It's the most rewarding thing. It can be potentially terrifying, exhilarating, hilarious, miserable, and a wee bit trying. Yet it's all worth it! It's incredible to see God working in the details of you life, and to feel His Spirit guide and direct you. Although missions entail a roller-coaster of physical, emotional, and spiritual stress; the Lord qualifies who He calls. He's promised angels to bear us up, and He never breaks his promises. So, for anyone out there, thinking about a mission, having any doubts or concerns or questions; I want you to know that they are the best. The best two years.

And yes, there is more too it than holding chickens.

Love,
Elder Horne

Splits and Spares

We went bowling!

And we were so bad! I guess that's what happens when you haven't bowled in ages. I've never been an extraordinarily good bowler, unless it's been on the Wii, but we were just doing awful. That's what made it fun though! At least we were all roughly at the same skill level. We determined (I determined) a scoring scale which would result in us all winning. Since Elder Murphy won the first game, and Elder Leavitt won the second game, and I had the highest average. Everybody wins at
Palace Bowling!

I also have to confess how lazy I am; something most of you should know by now. So, daily exercise at 6:30 in the morning is like, the worst idea ever. However, I've been determined to do it, just because President keeps telling me to. In my attempts to motivate myself in the morning to exercise, I compiled this little collage of pictures from the Ensign (during exercise time...). It is now posted right above our treadmill. We seriously have a treadmill in our apartment, and I have been too lazy to even just walk on that. I just sit there and look at it until it's time to get ready.

#fatpersonprobs (I'm eating a bag of M&Ms while I type this...)

Anyway, here's to hoping that this collage will help!

Now to get to the most important day of the week: Father's Day! Hurray for Father's Day! Hurray for Fathers! Yesterday (Father's Day) while I was sitting in church, I was filled with gratitude for my earthly father, as well as my Heavenly Father. Reflecting on how incredibly, almost unrealistically, blessed I am. Everything that I have, that I am capable of, that I am; how so much of it comes from my papa bear, and how it all comes from my Heavenly Father. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). We have been given so much, from our heavenly and earthly fathers, that one day out of the year isn't nearly enough time to celebrate them. We are eternally indebted, and should be eternally grateful.

Always #RememberDad

Love,
Elder Horne

PS that's a lot of sugar...