Hello family! I love you all so much! Thank you so much for your emails and updates!
So, last Monday
was fun because we had a Pioneer Day FHE at the church. I shared from "Our
Heritage," Sister Sawangwong made a delicious dinner, and then we played
the stick pull game, cats cradle, and other games. Way fun! I love our pioneers
and the early saints so much. I remember when I was a kid I thought pioneers
were depressing. haha Now, I love them so much and want to learn more about
them and honor them. I think our church history trips really gave me a
new perspective and love for our amazing history.
On Tuesday we
had a really fun English class. I think here in KhonKaen is the most fun I've
ever had teaching English. Sister Carter is our English leader and does an
awesome job. She has lots of fun ideas and leads the class really well. On
Tuesday our class was on manners. So we set a table for all of us missionaries
in front of the class. She made it super fancy and nice. We demonstrated poor
and good manners for the class and the vocabulary for the dinner table.
Basically, taught what is acceptable if they go to a falang country. haha They
got a kick out of it.
On Wednesday
Sister Carter and I were in charge of leading the Book of Mormon class. Sister
Carter had a fun idea to reenact Lehi and Co.'s journey across the sea to the
Promised Land. We acted it out. Elder Lingard was Nephi and we were the rest of
the cast. It was fun! There were only 4 people at the class this week (not really
sure where everyone went) but they seemed to really like it.
On Thursday we
were out inviting and we got stuck in a huge rainstorm. We were getting pretty
soaked, so we decided to find some shelter. We found a little empty traffic
patrol booth so we took cover in there. The traffic booths here are kind of
funny. Usually it has two connected chairs up on a little platform covered by a
small roof in the shape of a helmet. Anyway, I'm not sure if the public is
really supposed to sit there, because people kept staring. One lady drove by
really slowly so she could take a picture of us, and then another lady was so
distracted she drove right over the curb. So, we decided we'd probably better
move before we caused an accident, or before a police man came. But, it was fun
while it lasted!
On that same
day we had zone training from the zone leaders and the STL's. It was a really
great training. President Senior really wants us to make our personal and
companionship studies better, as well preach repentance more. We have been
working on our studies and it really has been awesome. Feel the Spirit way
more! I love it!
So, we have
been asked to read one chapter a day in the Book of Mormon with our companion.
A couple of days ago Sister Carter and I read Mosiah 4. I just love that chapter
so much. It teaches how to repent and many other things. I also really liked
two verses, 19 and 21: "For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being,even God, for all
the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all
the riches which we have of every kind? And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are
dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask
that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the
substance that ye have one to another."
the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all
the riches which we have of every kind? And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are
dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask
that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the
substance that ye have one to another."
I really like these verses. The previous verses talked about how we need to repent and that we need to have the intentions of loving and serving everyone. It's a good reminder to not be selfish or greedy, but willingly love and support those around us. Because, in the end, we are all on the same level and all must depend on God. And going along with that I came across a quote by President Monson that I really like:
"We were not placed on this earth to walk alone. What an amazing source of power, of strength, and of comfort is available to each of us. He who knows us better than we know ourselves, He who sees the larger picture and who knows the end from the beginning, has assured us that He will be there to provide help if we will but ask. We have the promise: 'pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.'"
So, those are a
few things I really liked from my studies this week.
We also
spent a good amount of time organizing all of our recent converts from the last
full year. We made New and Returning Member Forms for every single one from all
of our companionships and put them in the book in order from most recently
baptized. We attached a picture with all that we could, and then classified
them all according to their activity level and need of attention level. I think
it will be really helpful for anyone new coming in. It feels good to have that mostly done.
Oh, Dad! So,
Sister Sawangwong is trying to learn the guitar. I was teaching her some chords
but then I decided to just go straight to the classics. She can now play and
sing "Dead Fish" beautifully! You would be proud if you heard her!
Your music has now spanned continents!
Well, that is
about the bulk of the week! It was a great week and we're excited to see what
happens with transfers. There are six new elders and eight new sisters entering the
mission! Wahoo! We'll probably know today who is moving. Really excited!
I love you all
soooo much and hope you have a wonderful week!
Love,
Sister Stevenson
