Dear Family,
Congratulations on graduation! I'm sure that everyone is happy that school is out, except for those who enjoy peace at home and open roads with no school aged drivers. This is the season of craziness and choices. There's so many things going on in the world right now that are worth our thought and consideration. These past few weeks I had the opportunity to visit with a member of the church about choices and getting answers from God. Right now she has some questions about what to do for her future. She is at the point of making choices that will effect the out come of the next few years and beyond that.
I would like to share a little bit of our conversation. I explained to her that when we have a choice that will effect our lives we need to consider which option we feel is best. After some consideration we come to the Lord in prayer and wait for an answer. If we don't get an immediate answer then sometimes it takes patience. The Lord always answers and in His own time. Sometimes we don't know enough, sometimes there's another option that we haven't yet explored and when it comes we will feel that it is right. Or it could be that both options are acceptable before the Lord and it is up to us to simply choose. Either way after we have prayed the next step is always to act. The Lord will not let us choose the wrong path without warning. We need to trust him. We need to choose and then go. If we choose and go but it is the wrong choice then God will let us know. If we choose and it is right then we are free to be happy and satisfied with our choice.
I feel like she felt satisfied that her question was answered and she knew what it was that she needed to do. Sometimes the hardest choices are between right and right.
This week I pondered about how awesome and simple the Gospel is. Yesterday I switched companions with Elder Willey (what are the chances we ended up together). I worked so hard. By the end of the day I felt the best satisfying tiredness that there is. But better than that, through out the day I was smiling and happy. I personally believe that the reason why I felt so good was because of how diligently I was working. We didn't waste a second of time and we always brought our activities before the Lord in prayer. As we taught I felt a great enthusiasm and warm feeling as we explained the simple doctrines of the Gospel. We taught to an investigator names "Iss." We talked about heaven and asked her what she felt like she needed to do to go to heaven. One of the things she mentioned was obey. We talked about the importance of being clean through baptism and she agreed to get baptised. She asked me what she would have to do to get baptised. I explained that If she read the scriptures daily, prayed often, went to church every week, and learned with us that we would explain all of the commandments and she could start to keep them and then get all of the blessings from them, and as she does these things that she would be ready for baptism. Truly the savior taught us to not worry as as long as we keep the commandments we will be blessed and prosper. I love the simple truths of Christs teachings. Obey and be blessed. Ask and receive. Seek and find. Come unto Him and be saved. Come unto Him and find peace, hope, charity, faith, happiness, love, life and light.
As a missionary we get the special opportunity to promise blessings. After we explain a doctrine or principle we ask the person to commit to doing something that helps them to build faith and repent. Then after they commit to the commitments that we ask of them to help them improve their life we promise them some of the blessings that will follow. It is exciting to see the investigator use their faith to do change or break from work to go to church and then see how during the rest of the week they sell better than normal!
I learned that Keeping the sabbath day is just as important as tithing when it comes to our temporal well being.
Anyway. Sorry to speak so much about my thoughts and feelings rather than who my investigators are and how they are doing and that sort of thing. There will be plenty of time to talk about all the craziness that goes on when I get home. :)
I love you guys very much.
-Elder Lilly
One more thing!
Communication solves more problems and builds more love than any other activity that involves the mouth.
May 20, 2009
May 13, 2009
Well, there's another ginormous rain storm outside and as I was writing the power went out. And my companion lives in Thailand and his parents haven't converted yet, therefore he starts waiting for me as soon as I finish reading my letters.
It was great to talk to you guys!!!!!!
I love you all!!!
Today we sacrificed some of our preparation day to go help our investigator get interviewed with president Dodge. He recognised that he has gotten a witness of the gospel. He wants to pray again to have a more powerful witness. President Dodge, our investigator Ood, Elder Manop and I are going to fast and pray together.
When he is ready, next time, he won't have to get interviewed with President Dodge again.
As far as the difficulty of a mission is concerned, well, it's way difficult.
A mission takes everything you have and requires more. It puts us in the fire at the hottest temperature for the longest time then it pours us into a perfect frame and beats us till we fit. It is as if we are on a different time frame than the world and we are exercising in a furnace without rest. It's tiring, but it's rewarding. It's worth the wait.
I neeeeed to go, but I Love you all!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Lilly
It was great to talk to you guys!!!!!!
I love you all!!!
Today we sacrificed some of our preparation day to go help our investigator get interviewed with president Dodge. He recognised that he has gotten a witness of the gospel. He wants to pray again to have a more powerful witness. President Dodge, our investigator Ood, Elder Manop and I are going to fast and pray together.
When he is ready, next time, he won't have to get interviewed with President Dodge again.
As far as the difficulty of a mission is concerned, well, it's way difficult.
A mission takes everything you have and requires more. It puts us in the fire at the hottest temperature for the longest time then it pours us into a perfect frame and beats us till we fit. It is as if we are on a different time frame than the world and we are exercising in a furnace without rest. It's tiring, but it's rewarding. It's worth the wait.
I neeeeed to go, but I Love you all!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Lilly
May 6, 2009
Talk to you this Sunday
Dear Family,
Today I don't have a lot to say. I just feel really grateful for all of the many many blessings that God has blessed us with both noticed and unnoticed. I stared wide eyed at the pictures that Crystal sent of Aaron and Diana. And the pictures of Suzanne, Scott and their Baby.
It seems like every time I come to E-mail I forget what I've done during the week. Hmm. Well, we have an investigator named Oot. He learned all of the missionary discussions before I came here but I have had the opportunity to help him further build faith and receive a testimony. Right now he is a little weak in his conviction and faith. He has a major Buddhist background. He has a testimony of the Commandments and how they help his life but he hasn't yet accepted Jesus as his Savior. When he prays, sometimes he remembers the written Buddhist Priest prayers, because that's whats on his mind, even though he has gotten rid of all of the Idols and other things in his house. He lives with a LDS family, but some of the members aren't very strong and their child has started smoking. Also, he needs to be interviewed by president Dodge in order to help him get baptised. Yet his life has changed so much already from the time that he started learning the gospel, attending church and following the commandments. He is scheduled to get interviewed on the 13 of may. We are going to collectively fast this Saturday evening to help him cast away his doubt and fears and choose faith. When he does I know that the Spirit will enter his life and answer his prayers for an answer.
I hope you all are able to enjoy this great time in life and not get too stressed out from the business.
I have not yet bought a new backpack but I will. My shirts are being cut as we speak.
Due to illness, we have not yet ridden on the Elephants, but it seems that that little part of the adventure is soon to come.
Love you all,
especially Dad,
and Mom,
and Grandma Lilly
(she had a birthday!)
Elder Lilly
P.S. My companion is asking for Thanksgiving recipes. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, rolls, pie, jello. He's quite the chef it turns out, I would love to show him how to make "farang" food.
Today I don't have a lot to say. I just feel really grateful for all of the many many blessings that God has blessed us with both noticed and unnoticed. I stared wide eyed at the pictures that Crystal sent of Aaron and Diana. And the pictures of Suzanne, Scott and their Baby.
It seems like every time I come to E-mail I forget what I've done during the week. Hmm. Well, we have an investigator named Oot. He learned all of the missionary discussions before I came here but I have had the opportunity to help him further build faith and receive a testimony. Right now he is a little weak in his conviction and faith. He has a major Buddhist background. He has a testimony of the Commandments and how they help his life but he hasn't yet accepted Jesus as his Savior. When he prays, sometimes he remembers the written Buddhist Priest prayers, because that's whats on his mind, even though he has gotten rid of all of the Idols and other things in his house. He lives with a LDS family, but some of the members aren't very strong and their child has started smoking. Also, he needs to be interviewed by president Dodge in order to help him get baptised. Yet his life has changed so much already from the time that he started learning the gospel, attending church and following the commandments. He is scheduled to get interviewed on the 13 of may. We are going to collectively fast this Saturday evening to help him cast away his doubt and fears and choose faith. When he does I know that the Spirit will enter his life and answer his prayers for an answer.
I hope you all are able to enjoy this great time in life and not get too stressed out from the business.
I have not yet bought a new backpack but I will. My shirts are being cut as we speak.
Due to illness, we have not yet ridden on the Elephants, but it seems that that little part of the adventure is soon to come.
Love you all,
especially Dad,
and Mom,
and Grandma Lilly
(she had a birthday!)
Elder Lilly
P.S. My companion is asking for Thanksgiving recipes. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, rolls, pie, jello. He's quite the chef it turns out, I would love to show him how to make "farang" food.
Apr 29, 2009
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY
CONGRADULATIONS NANNA POOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!1111
I am so excited! Kee hee he hehe he I am smiling really big right now!
And... Happy Birthday to Brandon!! you're old....
Dear Family,
I must say that I am very happy to hear that you are receiving blessings at home. It's relieving to hear about some if these blessings. This work is not easy. And sometimes the effects of the work are hard to see, or slow in coming.
Right now is the hot season. Sometimes the air is so humid that sweat seems to protrude from my skin without any control. My arm sweats where I didn't even know it could. Sometimes It feels like I just came out of a steamy pool of stinky water and without drying off I put my church clothes on. That sounds pretty bad. But no worries, I make sure to shower twice a day. And a handkerchief helps a lot.
The branch here in Ayutthaya is tiny compared to Bangkhae. And though there are four missionaries here, our progress has been steady. Right now I am focusing the most on the ward members. Elder Manop doesn't like inviting at all, and will plan several other activities in order to avoid inviting. Because of this we have had the opportunity to work very closely with our branch members. I feel like if the Branch members are strong then they will spiritually and instinctively fellowship and find investigators. And, so very importantly, they will be happier. There's a hope that is brought from the gospel that is firm and true. If I could pick a song to be my banner so far in my mission, and probably for the rest of my mission, I would choose hymn number 135 My Redeemer Lives, written by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
I hope to carry this banner with humility and with a happy smile. Sometimes humility may seem like an attribute that can't be worn with a smile. But when we recognize our reliance on our savior and have him as our banner, forgetting ourselves then his love will shine in us and we can properly give him our gratitude, our service, and credit Him for our happiness. Then just like the Angel said to Nephi of old "Rejoice!" we can be happy.
There's two virtues that we talked about in zone conference that I would like to mention. The first is Integrity and the second is Patience. All I have to say is that Integrity is most important and patience is learned with hope and an eternal perspective.
I don't have a lot of time. I want to express my love for you all. You make me happy and excited to work harder. I pray for you as well as my investigators and I know that the Lord will bless you.
Love,
Elder Lilly
I am so excited! Kee hee he hehe he I am smiling really big right now!
And... Happy Birthday to Brandon!! you're old....
Dear Family,
I must say that I am very happy to hear that you are receiving blessings at home. It's relieving to hear about some if these blessings. This work is not easy. And sometimes the effects of the work are hard to see, or slow in coming.
Right now is the hot season. Sometimes the air is so humid that sweat seems to protrude from my skin without any control. My arm sweats where I didn't even know it could. Sometimes It feels like I just came out of a steamy pool of stinky water and without drying off I put my church clothes on. That sounds pretty bad. But no worries, I make sure to shower twice a day. And a handkerchief helps a lot.
The branch here in Ayutthaya is tiny compared to Bangkhae. And though there are four missionaries here, our progress has been steady. Right now I am focusing the most on the ward members. Elder Manop doesn't like inviting at all, and will plan several other activities in order to avoid inviting. Because of this we have had the opportunity to work very closely with our branch members. I feel like if the Branch members are strong then they will spiritually and instinctively fellowship and find investigators. And, so very importantly, they will be happier. There's a hope that is brought from the gospel that is firm and true. If I could pick a song to be my banner so far in my mission, and probably for the rest of my mission, I would choose hymn number 135 My Redeemer Lives, written by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
I hope to carry this banner with humility and with a happy smile. Sometimes humility may seem like an attribute that can't be worn with a smile. But when we recognize our reliance on our savior and have him as our banner, forgetting ourselves then his love will shine in us and we can properly give him our gratitude, our service, and credit Him for our happiness. Then just like the Angel said to Nephi of old "Rejoice!" we can be happy.
There's two virtues that we talked about in zone conference that I would like to mention. The first is Integrity and the second is Patience. All I have to say is that Integrity is most important and patience is learned with hope and an eternal perspective.
I don't have a lot of time. I want to express my love for you all. You make me happy and excited to work harder. I pray for you as well as my investigators and I know that the Lord will bless you.
Love,
Elder Lilly
Apr 23, 2009
love from home
Dear Family,
Soengkhran was amazingly fun. I enjoyed getting wet very much. It seems like everyone wanted to throw water on us and I made sure to give them the opportunity, it was way fun that way. There were tons and tons of truck loads of people with buckets of water driving down the road and dumping water on everything and everyone. Since we had little buckets when the cars would come up to us to spash water we would get up and use their own source of water to fight back. We returned home in a bus soaked.
Moves went very smoothly. I moved to Ayutthaya!!!! It's the old capital city of Thailand. For some reason it reminds me of Micheal... Probably because the roads are all very wide and long, there's hardly any stoplights at all, and there's very very little traffic. And I have to smile at Thai road designs because instead of making a four way intersection they love to make giant bridges that turn around for you so as long as you merge to the bridge and keep following the road you can turn around without ever slowing down. Neat-o.
Then there are old Buddhist temples everywhere. They are the older, mostly made of brick, and abandoned. There are fancy gates surrounding most of them and a name sign and that's it. They are beautiful too. In fact, Ayutthaya is probably the most beautiful place I have ever been too. There's green grass everywhere, organized and Lord of the Ring like houses, and unlike the thick of Bangkok where I started at, you can see the blue sky! Before I could look at the sun without blinking. I tried it too.
My companion's name is Elder Manop. He is a native Thailander from Korrad. He makes speaking Thai all of the time very easy. :) He's also teaching me in some of the ways of Thai cooking. I learned how to make Gaengmasuman. Mmmm
I live in a house connected to the main river. We have a nice hammock in the back and we can go fishing whenever we want to. It is a very sabbay house. It's only place of lacking is it has no oven. It's also a four man house and I'm rooming with Elder Willey and Elder McCoy.
The protests have ended as far as I know, and right now they are no problem for us.
Last week we went and took a visit to the Mortal Combat Temple. Or rather the Giant Temple that they used to screen the Movie Mortal Combat. I have some several excellent pictures that I would love to send to you guys.
And yes, there are Elephants Braden. Next week we are going to go ride them.
Conference was awesome. I especially liked the talks from Elder Christofferson and Elder Holland. I watched Elder Holland's talk again in zone conference as they spoke of the events surrounding Christ's Atonement and how most other religious specialists do not understand the reality and efficacy of Christ's Divine birth and the Atonement. We moved some couches together and watched conference and was able to see it with some investigators too.
Two days ago my Thai companion explained to me that I was sleep talking in Thai. I was having a bad night's sleep, but I don't remember what I was dreaming about. Sometimes I dream all in Thai. I actually think that I am progressing well in my language speaking because I feel like I am doing my best to learn it. I carry a handy paper around that I created to write down words that I don't recognize or words that I don't know and want to look up. The paper gets bigger and bigger.
Our branch is tiny compared to Bangkhae and we do not yet have our own church building built. Right now we have a rented building. But I am very excited and hopeful to build up the Church here in Ayutthaya.
Love you all,
and I'll get pictures in a wie bit.
Elder Lilly
Soengkhran was amazingly fun. I enjoyed getting wet very much. It seems like everyone wanted to throw water on us and I made sure to give them the opportunity, it was way fun that way. There were tons and tons of truck loads of people with buckets of water driving down the road and dumping water on everything and everyone. Since we had little buckets when the cars would come up to us to spash water we would get up and use their own source of water to fight back. We returned home in a bus soaked.
Moves went very smoothly. I moved to Ayutthaya!!!! It's the old capital city of Thailand. For some reason it reminds me of Micheal... Probably because the roads are all very wide and long, there's hardly any stoplights at all, and there's very very little traffic. And I have to smile at Thai road designs because instead of making a four way intersection they love to make giant bridges that turn around for you so as long as you merge to the bridge and keep following the road you can turn around without ever slowing down. Neat-o.
Then there are old Buddhist temples everywhere. They are the older, mostly made of brick, and abandoned. There are fancy gates surrounding most of them and a name sign and that's it. They are beautiful too. In fact, Ayutthaya is probably the most beautiful place I have ever been too. There's green grass everywhere, organized and Lord of the Ring like houses, and unlike the thick of Bangkok where I started at, you can see the blue sky! Before I could look at the sun without blinking. I tried it too.
My companion's name is Elder Manop. He is a native Thailander from Korrad. He makes speaking Thai all of the time very easy. :) He's also teaching me in some of the ways of Thai cooking. I learned how to make Gaengmasuman. Mmmm
I live in a house connected to the main river. We have a nice hammock in the back and we can go fishing whenever we want to. It is a very sabbay house. It's only place of lacking is it has no oven. It's also a four man house and I'm rooming with Elder Willey and Elder McCoy.
The protests have ended as far as I know, and right now they are no problem for us.
Last week we went and took a visit to the Mortal Combat Temple. Or rather the Giant Temple that they used to screen the Movie Mortal Combat. I have some several excellent pictures that I would love to send to you guys.
And yes, there are Elephants Braden. Next week we are going to go ride them.
Conference was awesome. I especially liked the talks from Elder Christofferson and Elder Holland. I watched Elder Holland's talk again in zone conference as they spoke of the events surrounding Christ's Atonement and how most other religious specialists do not understand the reality and efficacy of Christ's Divine birth and the Atonement. We moved some couches together and watched conference and was able to see it with some investigators too.
Two days ago my Thai companion explained to me that I was sleep talking in Thai. I was having a bad night's sleep, but I don't remember what I was dreaming about. Sometimes I dream all in Thai. I actually think that I am progressing well in my language speaking because I feel like I am doing my best to learn it. I carry a handy paper around that I created to write down words that I don't recognize or words that I don't know and want to look up. The paper gets bigger and bigger.
Our branch is tiny compared to Bangkhae and we do not yet have our own church building built. Right now we have a rented building. But I am very excited and hopeful to build up the Church here in Ayutthaya.
Love you all,
and I'll get pictures in a wie bit.
Elder Lilly
Apr 15, 2009
-Surely the Lord God will do nothing save he revealeth His secrets unto His servants the Prophets.
Today is a Thai water festival called Soengkhran. Actually today is the last day of the three day festival. It is crazy. But first I would like to relate the events that occurred in the past two days.
Near the center of Bangkok there came a large gathering of rioters wearing red shirts. They drove public buses to a large round-about and blocked the roads. There were warnings all over the news and us missionaries were asked to keep our phones on and nearby. If we saw any rioting we were instructed to go home and stay there. Some people did. And to us it already felt like a war because we were trying to avoid the mobs of people who were casting water bombs at us and shooting water at us from hoses and slopping goop onto our faces. At the end of the first day Elder Israelson and Elder Blackhurst's clothes took exceeding casualties. At the start of the next day we received a call from our leaders that the rioting had escalated. We were not to leave our house. Of course we kept working and used the opportunity to do work at or on the house. We didn't wait an absurd amount of time before we were again granted permission to go forth and work on. As the productiveness of inviting was reduced considerably, we instead spent our time in finding old or inactive members to go visit and support. We weren't as successful in avoiding the water and goop as we travelled on bikes on this day. With no opportunity to change clothes we moved in to President Typ's house with his entire family and President Nopadone and his entire family. They compelled us by force to eat their delicious food and deserts until we were not capable of eating more. This was an especially exciting occasion put together to celebrate our times together before I leave Bangkhae this Thursday (tomorrow). We ended the day by helping teach and advise President Typ's son Brother Bun as he prepares for his soon coming mission.
And finally today we make war. The riots are over and the military is already deployed but Soengkhran is not over and we still have a lot of Thai people to soak in water and a lot of faces to smudge goop on. We are dressed already and as I finish writing the war will commence!
Also, it is indeed confirmed that I am moving tomorrow. After we play in the water festival we will need to return home and I will begin packing. I won't know who my companion is or where I am going to until I am packed and we, all of the missionaries, meet in Pakkret. I'll relate my experience with moving to my second area next week.
I'm going to miss all of the people here a lot. They are awesome. The deep feelings of respect that I hold for these people are hard to describe. But I am excited to move to the next area that the Lord has prepared for me. I leave here with good memories and with a feeling of satisfaction in my work.
I love you all!
Also, conference was inspirational.
Love,
Elder Lilly
Today is a Thai water festival called Soengkhran. Actually today is the last day of the three day festival. It is crazy. But first I would like to relate the events that occurred in the past two days.
Near the center of Bangkok there came a large gathering of rioters wearing red shirts. They drove public buses to a large round-about and blocked the roads. There were warnings all over the news and us missionaries were asked to keep our phones on and nearby. If we saw any rioting we were instructed to go home and stay there. Some people did. And to us it already felt like a war because we were trying to avoid the mobs of people who were casting water bombs at us and shooting water at us from hoses and slopping goop onto our faces. At the end of the first day Elder Israelson and Elder Blackhurst's clothes took exceeding casualties. At the start of the next day we received a call from our leaders that the rioting had escalated. We were not to leave our house. Of course we kept working and used the opportunity to do work at or on the house. We didn't wait an absurd amount of time before we were again granted permission to go forth and work on. As the productiveness of inviting was reduced considerably, we instead spent our time in finding old or inactive members to go visit and support. We weren't as successful in avoiding the water and goop as we travelled on bikes on this day. With no opportunity to change clothes we moved in to President Typ's house with his entire family and President Nopadone and his entire family. They compelled us by force to eat their delicious food and deserts until we were not capable of eating more. This was an especially exciting occasion put together to celebrate our times together before I leave Bangkhae this Thursday (tomorrow). We ended the day by helping teach and advise President Typ's son Brother Bun as he prepares for his soon coming mission.
And finally today we make war. The riots are over and the military is already deployed but Soengkhran is not over and we still have a lot of Thai people to soak in water and a lot of faces to smudge goop on. We are dressed already and as I finish writing the war will commence!
Also, it is indeed confirmed that I am moving tomorrow. After we play in the water festival we will need to return home and I will begin packing. I won't know who my companion is or where I am going to until I am packed and we, all of the missionaries, meet in Pakkret. I'll relate my experience with moving to my second area next week.
I'm going to miss all of the people here a lot. They are awesome. The deep feelings of respect that I hold for these people are hard to describe. But I am excited to move to the next area that the Lord has prepared for me. I leave here with good memories and with a feeling of satisfaction in my work.
I love you all!
Also, conference was inspirational.
Love,
Elder Lilly
Apr 8, 2009
Ahhh, I see you've played knify spoony before!
Dear Family,
Wow. I am very excited for Scott and Sue! Awesome.
This Saturday and Sunday we will be able to view conference. The main screen will be prepared with the Thai translation playing while us foreigners will get to wear headphones and enjoy conference in our native language. I am very excited. Elder Olinger somehow got a copy of the last conference and we have listened to almost all eight hours as we have traveled around in Taxis to zone meetings and such.
Mother mentioned that they talked about being a member missionary in conference. I must say that my understanding and my approach to being a member missionary has changed as I have become a full time missionary. Back home I hardly knew the missionaries. I was unfamiliar with the extent of all of their tasks and responsibilities. I didn't have a very good view of their influence on our ward. And especially here in Thailand where their are mostly branches that haven't yet grown into wards, I have come to learn of a missionaries role.
One of our jobs is to help train and establish the leadership in our branch. We work closely with the Branch President, honoring his requests and encouraging him to make goals. Together we coordinate the vision of our Branch.
Member Referrals are Gold. As I look at our branch it is easy to see that the majority of our members originally were introduced to the missionaries as member referrals, and they are mostly families too.
Teaching with members is one of our "key indicators." We try to have a member with us at each of our lessons. Having a friend and some one to help fellowship and answer questions is vitally important for our investigators.
We also have the opportunity to go and fellowship members, teach "referral lessons," and visit those who are struggling or less active. In this activity, namely helping less active members, I have found a lot of success. There are a lot of reasons/concerns that these people have that prevent them from coming to church. Many of them are simple. But in each of these cases I find that these people have stopped reading scriptures and praying regularly and personally/with a family. As I teach these people, many times I don't focus on church at all. I simply help them to recognize the strength that comes from reading and praying, and remind them of the power of the atonement of God and the feeling of joy, renewal, and love that come from obeying the commandments. As they commit to these tasks of reading and praying usually they end up coming to church on their own accord.
If feel like if everyone was being nourished and strengthened from service, powerful prayer, and studying and pondering the scriptures that everyone would start to be a missionary naturally. And usually it's the little things that make the biggest difference.
I know that when I get home I don't want to stop serving and sharing the gospel. And I think that I will be much more involved in helping friends to meet the missionaries, and to be right there with them when they do it.
Then there's always the power of bringing friends to church.
Missionary work is most efficient when the missionaries are the teachers and members are the finders.
I never really understood what exactly the missionaries were looking for as they asked for referrals from me. But I wouldn't suggest giving a referral of a friend that you have never talked to about the gospel before. The missionaries are looking for the "elect." For those who are interested and prepared to receive the Gospel.
Recently I have been memorizing and translating hymns. As it turns out there are a lot of awesome words in the hymns which are organized into the simplest form of sentences. And I can sing them! It's great.
There are 150 missionaries in Thailand, but the number will steadily reduce to about 130.
As we leave the house and especially as we set time apart for "inviting," we review our goals in prayer with our Father in Heaven and then we proceed to our intended destination, talking to everyone. Yes, we talk to everyone. Some people don't want to talk, usually these people get a hello and they don't care to respond, sometimes they don't even look at us. This would be the least amount that we say to people. Those who respond and especially those who are interested get a lot more than a hello.
well, I have to leave now. Congratulations to Scott, Sue, Fawn, Kevin, Dad, Justin, and everyone who I missed.
I love you all!
Elder Lilly
Wow. I am very excited for Scott and Sue! Awesome.
This Saturday and Sunday we will be able to view conference. The main screen will be prepared with the Thai translation playing while us foreigners will get to wear headphones and enjoy conference in our native language. I am very excited. Elder Olinger somehow got a copy of the last conference and we have listened to almost all eight hours as we have traveled around in Taxis to zone meetings and such.
Mother mentioned that they talked about being a member missionary in conference. I must say that my understanding and my approach to being a member missionary has changed as I have become a full time missionary. Back home I hardly knew the missionaries. I was unfamiliar with the extent of all of their tasks and responsibilities. I didn't have a very good view of their influence on our ward. And especially here in Thailand where their are mostly branches that haven't yet grown into wards, I have come to learn of a missionaries role.
One of our jobs is to help train and establish the leadership in our branch. We work closely with the Branch President, honoring his requests and encouraging him to make goals. Together we coordinate the vision of our Branch.
Member Referrals are Gold. As I look at our branch it is easy to see that the majority of our members originally were introduced to the missionaries as member referrals, and they are mostly families too.
Teaching with members is one of our "key indicators." We try to have a member with us at each of our lessons. Having a friend and some one to help fellowship and answer questions is vitally important for our investigators.
We also have the opportunity to go and fellowship members, teach "referral lessons," and visit those who are struggling or less active. In this activity, namely helping less active members, I have found a lot of success. There are a lot of reasons/concerns that these people have that prevent them from coming to church. Many of them are simple. But in each of these cases I find that these people have stopped reading scriptures and praying regularly and personally/with a family. As I teach these people, many times I don't focus on church at all. I simply help them to recognize the strength that comes from reading and praying, and remind them of the power of the atonement of God and the feeling of joy, renewal, and love that come from obeying the commandments. As they commit to these tasks of reading and praying usually they end up coming to church on their own accord.
If feel like if everyone was being nourished and strengthened from service, powerful prayer, and studying and pondering the scriptures that everyone would start to be a missionary naturally. And usually it's the little things that make the biggest difference.
I know that when I get home I don't want to stop serving and sharing the gospel. And I think that I will be much more involved in helping friends to meet the missionaries, and to be right there with them when they do it.
Then there's always the power of bringing friends to church.
Missionary work is most efficient when the missionaries are the teachers and members are the finders.
I never really understood what exactly the missionaries were looking for as they asked for referrals from me. But I wouldn't suggest giving a referral of a friend that you have never talked to about the gospel before. The missionaries are looking for the "elect." For those who are interested and prepared to receive the Gospel.
Recently I have been memorizing and translating hymns. As it turns out there are a lot of awesome words in the hymns which are organized into the simplest form of sentences. And I can sing them! It's great.
There are 150 missionaries in Thailand, but the number will steadily reduce to about 130.
As we leave the house and especially as we set time apart for "inviting," we review our goals in prayer with our Father in Heaven and then we proceed to our intended destination, talking to everyone. Yes, we talk to everyone. Some people don't want to talk, usually these people get a hello and they don't care to respond, sometimes they don't even look at us. This would be the least amount that we say to people. Those who respond and especially those who are interested get a lot more than a hello.
well, I have to leave now. Congratulations to Scott, Sue, Fawn, Kevin, Dad, Justin, and everyone who I missed.
I love you all!
Elder Lilly
Apr 1, 2009
Dear Family,
Hooray for Suzanne! She has already experienced April fools in this baby business, it would only be fitting to have the baby around this time. :p
Sorry that MY letter is off so late, or perhaps so early in the morning of the next day (for you). Today we went out tiawing (exploring) a Buddhist wat (Temple). We also explored the king's palace a bit. It is the kind of place that you read about in books and see pictures of in postcards. There was quite an assortment of languages being spoken. I felt just a little bit out of place when Elder Blackhurst and I entered the Buddhist shrine and we sat down marveling at the enormous and intricate designs all over the walls while people were bowing and worshiping the Buddhist statues around us. We didn't stay in there for too long. I would love to come back with family and view it all together. Yet, the place is very dead to the spirit.
I would like to throw out a good Amen to brother Traasdahl. Especially about the deliciousness of naam doek and Thai fruit. And the waxy un-arroyness (undeliciousness) of Thai Khanoms (candy). Some Thai candy is squishy and green, then throw in some coconut butter juice with it and you've got slimy too. mmmhhmmm I'll have to get a picture of some sometime. (also I like brother Traasdahls spelling of gueteo. I never know how to spell these Thai words with the English Alphabet.)
As far as moves is concerned I am going to move soooon. But I haven't moved yet. I will move after the Thai water holiday on April 16.
Sorry for the shortness of this letter. I have noooo time. We might come and finish writing in the morning. I'll have to ponder about a birthday wish list. :D
Love you all,
Elder Lilly
P.S. Does Michael still rock the backboard?
Do ya?
Hooray for Suzanne! She has already experienced April fools in this baby business, it would only be fitting to have the baby around this time. :p
Sorry that MY letter is off so late, or perhaps so early in the morning of the next day (for you). Today we went out tiawing (exploring) a Buddhist wat (Temple). We also explored the king's palace a bit. It is the kind of place that you read about in books and see pictures of in postcards. There was quite an assortment of languages being spoken. I felt just a little bit out of place when Elder Blackhurst and I entered the Buddhist shrine and we sat down marveling at the enormous and intricate designs all over the walls while people were bowing and worshiping the Buddhist statues around us. We didn't stay in there for too long. I would love to come back with family and view it all together. Yet, the place is very dead to the spirit.
I would like to throw out a good Amen to brother Traasdahl. Especially about the deliciousness of naam doek and Thai fruit. And the waxy un-arroyness (undeliciousness) of Thai Khanoms (candy). Some Thai candy is squishy and green, then throw in some coconut butter juice with it and you've got slimy too. mmmhhmmm I'll have to get a picture of some sometime. (also I like brother Traasdahls spelling of gueteo. I never know how to spell these Thai words with the English Alphabet.)
As far as moves is concerned I am going to move soooon. But I haven't moved yet. I will move after the Thai water holiday on April 16.
Sorry for the shortness of this letter. I have noooo time. We might come and finish writing in the morning. I'll have to ponder about a birthday wish list. :D
Love you all,
Elder Lilly
P.S. Does Michael still rock the backboard?
Do ya?
Mar 25, 2009
I want to eat some American cake.
Dear Families,
I get packages only on 2 times per moves which 2 times are one week apart. Therefore you can calculate the exact two dates that those two times will be. The first time is always on the Thursday of moves meeting and the second time is the week after which is zone conference. Moves meeting is always on Thursday. Moves are about one and a half months long. This moves meeting is on April 16. (Next moves is May 28 then July 9 then August 20 etc.)
So I will get the package in another three weeks. But don't let this 2 times per 2 1/2 months discourage you from sending packages my way. I get them... eventually.
Last week I was disappointed as we went to a different internet shop which blocked us from viewing any pictures that were sent. I'm never going there again. But I can see them now. I have to agree that Justin's Batman cake looks
beautiful.
Also Spencer flying in the air is awesome. My companion said that his feet showing in the air might not be very good to show Thai people. My response was "He's flying!"
I have another challenge to bring to mind. This challenge is founded on the principal of sacrifice. Since the beginning of man, God has asked us to sacrifice to become more like the Savior. In our time we are asked to sacrifice a broken heart and a contrite spirit. But as sacrifice brings blessings and shows faith, we also have the opportunity to make special sacrifices. Just like the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's buried their swords as a testimony and a promise of their sacrifice, even their lives, so that they could be forgiven and become closer to Christ, we can also make special sacrifices (so long as they are congruent with the will of God) to receive special blessings. So the challenge is to prayerfully consider something that you will sacrifice (something that is holding you back from being more Christlike, obedience, maybe something that you like but would be better off to give up, maybe your time) and pick a blessing or a need in your life that will bring you closer to our savior and take this sacrifice in prayer and make a covenant with the Lord that you are willing to make this sacrifice and ask for these special blessings. As we make special sacrifices we will be blessed, even with what we ask for. Just don't ask astray :)
I was reading in my patriarchal blessing and considering some of the blessings that the lord has promised me according to my obedience and my faithful service. I think that sometimes it seems like we make such great sacrifices, yet really in the end we always get more than we give. I can promise that.
Anyway, that's me challenge.
Sounds like I'm going to come home to a whole new generation in the family. yaaay I'm excited!
As far as Thailand's economy/government is concerned there are two major rebellious groups the Red shirts and the yellow shirts. Setthakit yeh (The economy is terrible).
There's tons of Thai people who do nothing but work all day and hardly sleep at all. One of my investigators got really sick because he drives a Taxi all night with out any breaks and then he wakes up early and drives some more( but he's awesome and he's read in the Book of Mormon up to Alma 47 since I met him). There's not too many people who sell "things" because not very many people buy "things". Selling food is much more lucrative.
President Typ told me about being a true Thai person. He was explaining how about 70% of the people are satisfied with a sabbay life, a care free problem free life. These people aren't very willing to change. They are not looking to change and they take a long time to accept the Gospel. Then there the people who actually choose to do bad, to steal, who made the wrong choices in life. There are only a few from these people who are ready to accept the Gospel. But a true Thai person is the kind of person who will spend hours to carve a master peace just to share. The kind of person that chooses good and seeks good things, who knows all of their neighbors, the kind of people that are easy to love. These are the true Thai people. They are also the people who are seeking the Gospel.
I love the Thai people.
I also like how everybody has a motorcycle. I don't know why but it's fun.
I am so thankful for everybody's prayers on my behalf. This moves has been a real challenge and opportunity to grow and learn. It's been a huge test of patience as well. But I am really happy as I feel the spirit in the work.
I love you guys,
Elder Lilly
I get packages only on 2 times per moves which 2 times are one week apart. Therefore you can calculate the exact two dates that those two times will be. The first time is always on the Thursday of moves meeting and the second time is the week after which is zone conference. Moves meeting is always on Thursday. Moves are about one and a half months long. This moves meeting is on April 16. (Next moves is May 28 then July 9 then August 20 etc.)
So I will get the package in another three weeks. But don't let this 2 times per 2 1/2 months discourage you from sending packages my way. I get them... eventually.
Last week I was disappointed as we went to a different internet shop which blocked us from viewing any pictures that were sent. I'm never going there again. But I can see them now. I have to agree that Justin's Batman cake looks
beautiful.
Also Spencer flying in the air is awesome. My companion said that his feet showing in the air might not be very good to show Thai people. My response was "He's flying!"
I have another challenge to bring to mind. This challenge is founded on the principal of sacrifice. Since the beginning of man, God has asked us to sacrifice to become more like the Savior. In our time we are asked to sacrifice a broken heart and a contrite spirit. But as sacrifice brings blessings and shows faith, we also have the opportunity to make special sacrifices. Just like the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's buried their swords as a testimony and a promise of their sacrifice, even their lives, so that they could be forgiven and become closer to Christ, we can also make special sacrifices (so long as they are congruent with the will of God) to receive special blessings. So the challenge is to prayerfully consider something that you will sacrifice (something that is holding you back from being more Christlike, obedience, maybe something that you like but would be better off to give up, maybe your time) and pick a blessing or a need in your life that will bring you closer to our savior and take this sacrifice in prayer and make a covenant with the Lord that you are willing to make this sacrifice and ask for these special blessings. As we make special sacrifices we will be blessed, even with what we ask for. Just don't ask astray :)
I was reading in my patriarchal blessing and considering some of the blessings that the lord has promised me according to my obedience and my faithful service. I think that sometimes it seems like we make such great sacrifices, yet really in the end we always get more than we give. I can promise that.
Anyway, that's me challenge.
Sounds like I'm going to come home to a whole new generation in the family. yaaay I'm excited!
As far as Thailand's economy/government is concerned there are two major rebellious groups the Red shirts and the yellow shirts. Setthakit yeh (The economy is terrible).
There's tons of Thai people who do nothing but work all day and hardly sleep at all. One of my investigators got really sick because he drives a Taxi all night with out any breaks and then he wakes up early and drives some more( but he's awesome and he's read in the Book of Mormon up to Alma 47 since I met him). There's not too many people who sell "things" because not very many people buy "things". Selling food is much more lucrative.
President Typ told me about being a true Thai person. He was explaining how about 70% of the people are satisfied with a sabbay life, a care free problem free life. These people aren't very willing to change. They are not looking to change and they take a long time to accept the Gospel. Then there the people who actually choose to do bad, to steal, who made the wrong choices in life. There are only a few from these people who are ready to accept the Gospel. But a true Thai person is the kind of person who will spend hours to carve a master peace just to share. The kind of person that chooses good and seeks good things, who knows all of their neighbors, the kind of people that are easy to love. These are the true Thai people. They are also the people who are seeking the Gospel.
I love the Thai people.
I also like how everybody has a motorcycle. I don't know why but it's fun.
I am so thankful for everybody's prayers on my behalf. This moves has been a real challenge and opportunity to grow and learn. It's been a huge test of patience as well. But I am really happy as I feel the spirit in the work.
I love you guys,
Elder Lilly
Mar 17, 2009
Dear Family,
This past week was interesting. One day we had every single one of our appointments cancel at various points throughout the day so we ended up staying out in the fiery steam of Thailand's classic weather... Hot and Humid, and in an area that has very few reasons to go outside, so as you might imagine it wasn't a very conducive environment for missionary work. At the end of the day we visited a Burmese family in an apartment full of illegal residence. We seem to be running into a lot of Burmese people lately.
Right now I am trying to help my companion to have more confidence. He's a very smart and capable person, and he does well when he is comfortable. But he lacks confidence. And he struggles with the language. This week has been an interesting lesson for me as I try to find ways to help him and to progress forward in the work. I think that as long as we are working towards progression and repenting quickly of our mistakes that we will find success in the process. I've learned a lot about faith, charity and the Spirit.
I love in Chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel the activity that explains the feelings of the Spirit. I think there are times that we feel the Spirit strongly and we hold onto those times that we recognize that feeling, while perhaps other times we are impressed by the spirit without knowing the source of our impressions. As I learned, the feelings of comfort and joy also come from the spirit. I have felt a lot of joy and happiness in my life time. There has been plenty of times when I have been impressed by a scripture or I have felt encourage to repent or keep the commandments better. There have been lots of times where I have felt the need to humble myself and be more patient and submissive. These feelings all come from the Spirit too. After learning about this I feel like I have felt the promptings of the Spirit much more in my life than I ever realized before.
So I would like to ask which of Brother Trazdahl's dishes were his favorite? And are there any other meals he suggests? If you guys download the program that lets you type Thai script then I could type the actual names/spellings of these words. My key board is lovely equipped with script letters. Although in my experience with Thai food, there's a general flavor to the dish but no two cooks make one meal exactly the same. There's phadthay that is way sweet with some peanut sauce and shrimp and then theres the phadthay that is not sweet and it's loaded with sprouts.
Oh man I love gangmatsuman. I just recently tried khawbugapi. Mhhhmmm
Love you gtg
Elder Lilly
This past week was interesting. One day we had every single one of our appointments cancel at various points throughout the day so we ended up staying out in the fiery steam of Thailand's classic weather... Hot and Humid, and in an area that has very few reasons to go outside, so as you might imagine it wasn't a very conducive environment for missionary work. At the end of the day we visited a Burmese family in an apartment full of illegal residence. We seem to be running into a lot of Burmese people lately.
Right now I am trying to help my companion to have more confidence. He's a very smart and capable person, and he does well when he is comfortable. But he lacks confidence. And he struggles with the language. This week has been an interesting lesson for me as I try to find ways to help him and to progress forward in the work. I think that as long as we are working towards progression and repenting quickly of our mistakes that we will find success in the process. I've learned a lot about faith, charity and the Spirit.
I love in Chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel the activity that explains the feelings of the Spirit. I think there are times that we feel the Spirit strongly and we hold onto those times that we recognize that feeling, while perhaps other times we are impressed by the spirit without knowing the source of our impressions. As I learned, the feelings of comfort and joy also come from the spirit. I have felt a lot of joy and happiness in my life time. There has been plenty of times when I have been impressed by a scripture or I have felt encourage to repent or keep the commandments better. There have been lots of times where I have felt the need to humble myself and be more patient and submissive. These feelings all come from the Spirit too. After learning about this I feel like I have felt the promptings of the Spirit much more in my life than I ever realized before.
So I would like to ask which of Brother Trazdahl's dishes were his favorite? And are there any other meals he suggests? If you guys download the program that lets you type Thai script then I could type the actual names/spellings of these words. My key board is lovely equipped with script letters. Although in my experience with Thai food, there's a general flavor to the dish but no two cooks make one meal exactly the same. There's phadthay that is way sweet with some peanut sauce and shrimp and then theres the phadthay that is not sweet and it's loaded with sprouts.
Oh man I love gangmatsuman. I just recently tried khawbugapi. Mhhhmmm
Love you gtg
Elder Lilly
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