Hey, come to church! Wild donkey giveaway!

3-31-14  

Hello familia! 

Well, this was one wonderful week! So many amazing things happened. I'll just kind of go in order.

Well, last Monday was way fun! We went to the Mall to go get manicures and when we walked through the front door of the mall a farang in a suit came up to us and started speaking to us in Thai. I was so confused! He then introduced himself as Elder Hartman's dad! What?! So excited! He does business here in Thailand and got permission to meet up with Elder Hartman on his P-day. We talked for a couple of minutes and then E. Hartman and E. Black showed up! Then Bro. Hartman invited us all to eat lunch together and invited the other Elders. It was so much fun! We went and got pizza and then Haagen-Dazs ice cream. It was just so awesome to spend time with a dad! So, we were greatly blessed with an unexpected awesome visit from Brother Hartman!

Book of Mormon class is going well! This last week we read in 1 Nephi 11-13ish. It's pretty much just a reading and study class. I think it's helpful. Reading the scriptures can be really confusing, especially for recent converts, so we try to help them understand what the scriptures are talking about and how it can be applied. 

So, we go to Fashion Island frequently to go inviting. Lots of times we'll just stand on this bridge that everyone has to cross to get to the mall and try and talk to everyone that crosses it. Apparently, a new investigator of the Elders said that he had seen us sisters on the bridge one day but did not know that we were sharing about baptism. When we are inviting others to learn about baptism, a lot of times we'll ask people first if they want to be cleansed from sin. The way you say "cleansed from sin" is "laang baab." Well, if you don't hear the final consonants in both of these words it sounds like you're saying "wild donkey," or "laa baa."  This kid thought we were asking him if he wanted a wild donkey because we could give one to him at our church. Therefore he did not stop to talk to us. haha I think I need to find a new phrase or else enunciate much more clearly.

Okay, so yesterday was so awesome! It was such an amazing day at church. So many miracles and funny things. I'll just go in order of the day.

First of all, we miraculously had five investigators show up to church (some of which we had just street contacted and are never very certain)! I felt like the speakers were so awesome yesterday and during sacrament meeting the Bishop, the Elders, and Brother Somgiad, sang a very dramatic rendition of "Ye Elders of Israel." Made my day! haha

Our investigator class went well and I could tell all of our investigators really liked it. But, here's a little glimpse into Thai culture. Thai people are very blunt about certain things. That was manifest in our investigator class. The teacher was talking about gifts of the spirit and had some of the missionaries come up in front of the class. He asked them how long they had learned Thai before they came to Thailand and they all responded 2 months. He then asked one of the Elders' RCs, who's a college student, to come up front. He asked her the same question and she responded that she'd been learning English since she was in elementary school. He then pointed out that she still can hardly even speak anything. Goes to show that the gift of tongues is real. So, that may have been a little offensive, but made a good point. haha 

But then the teacher talked about how a certain member has no talent for singing, but he loves his willingness to try and that he'll be able to develop those skills. Lastly, he asked another rather overweight member what she thought her talent was. She responded whatever her talent was but then the teacher said, "Oh really? Do you like to make food? You're good at eating obviously!" I died. I felt so bad for that girl, but she and everyone just laughed and agreed and he moved on. That would so not fly in America. haha It is just funny what is and isn't acceptable in different cultures. However, the lesson really was good and our investigators were really involved in it.  

Okay, so third hour was combined because it was fifth Sunday and the Bishopric was in charge. The lesson was on home/visiting teaching. HT/VT still hasn't really taken off too well in Thailand and it makes a big difference. So, a few weeks ago the Bishop asked us missionaries to do a 10 minute play on home teaching to show the whole process from getting the assignment, planning ahead with your companion, setting up the appointment, going to visit the family, giving the lesson, checking up with them, etc... It actually went way better than I expected and I think Bishop was pleased with it. And the ward members got a kick out of it. I would not say that any of us are natural born actors. But it was fun!

After church we had the best potluck of my life: cashew chicken, green curry, massaman curry, and random Thai desserts! อร่อยมาก!

 Then, the best part of the day! Sister Nang, Sister Grape, and Brother Donut were baptized! Sister Nang was glowing, Donut was beyond excited, and Grape was emotional (that also may have been because she's afraid of water). But it was such a great day! Everyone was way happy!

We also have two new investigators that came to church. So, we have been extremely blessed this week! I am just so excited and feel so amazingly blessed to be serving right now in Bangkapi and with Sister Peterson!

I love my life!  I love being a missionary!

Oh, the numbers are in: our mission had 212 BAPTISMS FOR MARCH! Oh my goodness I am so excited!! Amazing! God is blessing Thailand.

Well, just know that I love you all sooooooo much!

Love,

Liz :)

 Elder Black ordered "rainbow rice" on his ice cream. 

Turns out it's just sprinkles. haha Disappointing!

 The cutest little lizard!

 I found a salad bar at a super hi-so falang grocery store that sells ROASTED ONIONS!!!

 Gotta take some selfies before we hit the road!

 Sister Nang, Sister Grape, Brother Donut

With Sister Nang

Red Ant Dance - Part 2

Hello Familia!

  

Well, this was a great week! We definitely saw miracles, so thank you so much for your prayers! 

First of all, last Monday was way fun! We went to the Crocodile farm again. It was sweltering hot. Sweat was literally dripping down my nose all day long. I went to take a picture with an elephant and it wiped its trunk all over my bag and my arm. Had snot and dirt all over the place! After the farm we went to the sea! So much fun! It was a really great P-day!

Like I said, this week we definitely had miracles! I've been a bit stressed about making our goal for two people being baptized this month. Sister Pat was baptized at the beginning of the month, which was a huge miracle. Now we would just like one more person to be baptized. 

So, if all goes as planned it's looking like Sister Grape and Sister Nang will be baptized this Sunday! So grateful!

Yesterday at church was so awesome! I just felt like the speakers and teachers were extra awesome and everyone was so happy! Elder and Sister Marvel (a senior couple here) are heading home next week. So, they came to Bangkapi and gave a fireside on the Perpetual Education Program. The couple that is taking their place is here already and they came as well- Elder and Sister Seppi. They are so cute! They are from Sandy. So that was fun! 

I was just so happy in Sacrament meeting especially. It was so awesome to see Sister Boat give the opening prayer, Brother Somgiad bless the sacrament, and Brother Dtam pass it. Best feeling ever!

Also, I have to tell you about Martin. Martin is from Cameroon and was baptized on the 16th of this month. He's the Lad Phrao elder's investigator. He actually lives at our apartment complex and I ran into him about two weeks ago. We talked briefly but I was in a bit of a hurry so I just gave him the address to the church and told him to come to church on Sunday. Well, he showed up and he really clicked with Elder Black. So, they started teaching him and he wanted to be baptized so badly. So, the following Sunday he was baptized. He's so awesome! He told me that I was sent of God to direct him to church and that he prays for me every single day and asks God to bless me. He's the sweetest! And it kind of made me feel bad that I was a little bit hurried in our first meeting. He doesn't speak Thai at all, but the ward members are taking good care of him. On Saturday night we missionaries and some other members went to Sister Ooy's house for dinner. She wanted Martin to come and she tried to invite other farangs because she wanted him to feel comfortable and make friends in the ward. How sweet is that? Way cool! 

Here are some funny things that happened:

On Tuesday we were walking to the post office to drop off a record in the mail. I stopped to talk to a street vendor about baptism and as I was talking I felt something on my legs. I looked down and I was standing on top of an ant hill and red ants were crawling all over my legs and feet! haha I screamed and started swatting them off and I think the vendor was amused. Then I continued to try and explain baptism, but I kept feeling ants biting my legs and I had to keep swatting them. Finally I just asked him if he wanted to be clean from sin, left him a pass-along card, and continued on to the post office. haha

At the post office we also had an interesting encounter. This lady ran up to us and told us that her son had served a mission before and that he lives in the states now. She then took my hand and started to give it a massage and compared it to my un-massaged hand to notice how it was not as smooth. I was way confused. Then she started showing us good stretches that we should do daily. We got a good laugh over that!  I grabbed her phone number and called her later, but I don't think she's interested. 

Also, one day when we were inviting this lady came up to me and started giving me pamphlets about her church, invited me to a worship service and then asked for my number. That was definitely a reversal of roles! haha 

There is a food court close to our house that we go to once or twice a week. It's pretty good, there's just tons of different Thai food you can choose from. Anyway, you get utensils from a bin and take them to your own table. So, this week I found out that those utensils are not actually clean. There is a pot of boiling water that you're supposed to stick the utensils in, which then washes- and hopefully- disinfects them. So, I have been eating off of used utensils for the last 3 months. Just barely figured out what that pot of water was for! Nasty! I have a great immune system. Haha

On Friday at sports day we played Sardines and it was the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. I don't think they understood the point of the game, because the people hiding would switch locations so as not to be found. When Brother Dtam was hiding he literally climbed out the church window to escape the seekers. Made me laugh so hard! They did NOT want to be found!

I'm loving serving with Sister Peterson. She's so cute! She has a great sense of humor, and she's awesome! I think this is going to be a really fun transfer.

Things are going great here! I just love being a missionary! I love you all so so so much! I hope all goes well with preparations to leave for California! Have soooooo much fun! Have a great, safe, awesome week!

Love,

Liz :)

 On our way to the Crocodile Farm!

 My hometown newspaper!

 You can actually order all these dishes. 

The Elders got a crocodile burger. Tasted like chicken.

 Leaving the croc farm

 At the ocean. Love this bike.

 Digging up the grass

 The second time it's rained since I've been in Bangkok!

Sawaddii Kha!

"The Morning Breaks" . . . apart

Hello wonderful, amazing family!

Well, this has been a great week! It's been a bit crazy with transfers but things are going really well. I'll just go through the main events of the week in order.

Last Monday was way fun! We went to lunch with Sister Anjana, shopped at the mall, sat in massage chairs, went bowling with the elders, and had Swensens! 

On Tuesday we had Zone Conference in Asoke! There is nothing better than getting together with all the missionaries and President/Sister Senior. Always such a boost! Getting to zone conference was a bit of an adventure! Our whole district met at the pier to catch a boat to Asoke. Boats come by about every 5 minutes. So, the first boat came and we all scrambled to get on. I hopped on and so did Elders Clarke and Wolfley. But before Sis. Sawangwong and the other two elders could get on, our boat pulled away! Ahhhhhh! I have never been split from a companion before! So I just yelled for her to stay with the elders and hop on the next boat. It was the weirdest feeling. While we were sailing to Asoke our boat broke down and we pretty much drifted down the khlong until our boat was going slow enough for another boat to come along side it and slow it down. Then we all hopped onto the other boat. In the meantime, Sis. S's boat passed us so they made it to Asoke before us and I think they were way worried when we weren't there. But we finally showed up and we were all reunited.

Zone conference was so great! Met up with so many friends! I felt like this zone conference was meant to encourage us all and make us feel extra good about ourselves! haha I loved it!  I'll write my notes from it in a letter. I think my favorite part of zone conference was the opening song. We opened the meeting with hymn #1, "The Morning Breaks," and it was a disaster. haha We couldn't really hear the piano, and no one was singing it right. And then when the song splits into men and women, it totally fell apart. It was awful! My favorite was watching Sis. Senior on the stand because she could not stop laughing. Pres. Senior got up to speak after that and explained the background to the song and that the meaning behind it is very profound, but that our rendition of it was awful! So funny!

On Wednesday we had a random lady call us telling us that she has a granddaughter that wants to be baptized asap. Whoa! So we went and taught her. The granddaughter is 13 years old. She is in our area just for summer break right now. The grandma doesn't live here full time though (she's a member). She owns an orchard in the south. So, there are a lot of logistics here that the zone leaders will let me know whether or not she can be baptized. Anyway, that was a huge miracle that we are very grateful for!

On Thursday we had our mini-transfer! There was no transfer meeting, the AP's just called us and told us where/when to meet our new companions. It was a bit of a mess trying to get everyone to the right spots. We pretty much spent the whole day figuring it all out. So, Sister Sawangwong is in Bangkaen now with Sister Stewart. She was a little disappointed to be staying in BKK (it borders Bangkapi's area), but she is soooo lucky to have Sister Stewart as a companion. She is so sweet and so awesome! 

So, Sister Peterson is my new companion! She's way cute! She's been up in Pitsanuloog with Sister Mullen. How fun is that? I am really excited for the rest of this transfer. I think we are going to have a great time together and work hard! Sis. P is a little bit on the quieter side, has a funny sense of humor and is just really cute. I'm really happy we're serving together. Right now I'm a little bit stressed because we don't have any firm daters and our investigator pool is a bit weak. We need to have one more person baptized by the end of this month, and none of our daters came to church yesterday. So, I'm just praying hard that this week we'll have some miracles. We already did yesterday! 

Before we left the apartment to go to church I prayed that people would come to church. Well, as we pulled up to the church a random lady showed up that I didn't recognize. I went to greet her and introduce myself. Turns out she had asked a motorcyle driver to take her to the nearest Christian church and this is where he thankfully took her! So, she stayed the whole time and loved it! We taught her and she would not accept a baptismal date, even though she said she was willing to be baptized. So, we're going to try and meet with her today or tomorrow. Anyway, that was a miracle! So grateful!

Yesterday was an awesome day at church. A lady from the stake came to present about family history. But in Sacrament Meeting the Bishop invited her to share her testimony. She got up and after talking for a couple of minutes she said that Pocahontas could explain her feelings best. Then she began singing one of the songs in Pocahontas that Grandmother Willow sings about if you "listen with your heart, then you'll believe..." or something like that. I was so glad that I was towards the back of the room because I could not stop laughing! Made my day! haha

So, this has been a great week. I'm really happy to be serving with Sister Peterson. Right now we're working hard to get new investigators and help the ones we already have reach their baptismal date. Things are great! I know that Heavenly Father is helping us so much here and with hard work, obedience, and faith amazing things will continue to happen. I just love being a missionary soooooo much!

I love you all so much and hope that this week goes well!

Love,

Liz

 Elder Gettavong carrying Sis. S's suitcase down the street! haha

 Waiting at the bus stop on transfer day.

 cool tree

On our way to go inviting!