Feb 15, 2010
Happy Birthday Jared
Dear Family,
Things are going well in Thailand. Yesterday we had two great baptisms, Tia and Mint. One 87 years old (going on 88!) and the other 16 years old. I had the privelage of interviewing Mint for the Baptism. That was an easy interview, she was ready.
Tia came out of the Baptismal font smiling. He knows that he was spiritually reborn. I couldn't help but smile as he came back to sit down on the stand. His son Baptized him. They both did great. Then I had the opportunity to Baptise Mint. I was happy that she went all the way under the water the first time. It all went quite smoothly.
This next Sunday is our stake conference. We will all be meeting at the church at 5:00am in order to get the conference in time. We won't get back home to Korat until about 6:00pm. Stake conference is always a good opportunity to be spiritually fed and it helps the recent converts to recognize that there really are a lot of Latter-day saints in the Church
in Thailand. Korat especially has a lot of people. Last week there were 81 people at church. Ayutthaya was in the 40's-50's on a good day.
I am impressed at how much there is to learn from the modern day Prophets. There are 16 of them. Each of them taught pure doctrine, and lived lives as Christ's representative. They all came from different circumstances too. One had to schooling, another had no money, another was really successful finantially. Which one do we connect the most with? What can we learn from their examples? I always wondered how Christ would be if He were here in our times of modern technology. The Prophet is probably the closest to that answer.
Something else that I've been consitering is about the use faith and belief. There truly is such thing as excercizing faith and showing faith. Sometimes we need to choose how we are going to use or apply our Faith in Jesus Christ. Some people showed their faith by asking for strength in battle, others showed their faith in sacrificing war and even their lives in service in order to serve God and be saved in His Kingdom. Both groups must first believe that the Lord will help and support them in the things that they ask from Him before they go out and do it. Surely if we are worthy of the spirit and we ask by the Spirit then God will support us. One of our investigators, the name's Noeng, works as a shoe Tailor. For about three years as he worked he would listen to Buddhits priests teach. Now we are teaching him. He asked us some interesting questions. As I was consitering his needs I believed that God could and would prepare an answer that could help him. Elder Tom and I got that answer. If we didn't believe that God would help us in this way, we wouldnt've studied about it, and the answer wouldnt've come as it did. I suppose it's another confirmation of how faith is a choice and that we can indeed excersize our faith. Now I feel much more prepared to teach him.
There's a lot to learn.
Keep being the awesome people that you are, and study the scriptures! Maybe we won't have to wait for Eternal life, maybe we can enjoy it now. That sound's like a big challenge. But that's what lifes about right?
Love ya tons,
-Elder Lilly
Things are going well in Thailand. Yesterday we had two great baptisms, Tia and Mint. One 87 years old (going on 88!) and the other 16 years old. I had the privelage of interviewing Mint for the Baptism. That was an easy interview, she was ready.
Tia came out of the Baptismal font smiling. He knows that he was spiritually reborn. I couldn't help but smile as he came back to sit down on the stand. His son Baptized him. They both did great. Then I had the opportunity to Baptise Mint. I was happy that she went all the way under the water the first time. It all went quite smoothly.
This next Sunday is our stake conference. We will all be meeting at the church at 5:00am in order to get the conference in time. We won't get back home to Korat until about 6:00pm. Stake conference is always a good opportunity to be spiritually fed and it helps the recent converts to recognize that there really are a lot of Latter-day saints in the Church
in Thailand. Korat especially has a lot of people. Last week there were 81 people at church. Ayutthaya was in the 40's-50's on a good day.
I am impressed at how much there is to learn from the modern day Prophets. There are 16 of them. Each of them taught pure doctrine, and lived lives as Christ's representative. They all came from different circumstances too. One had to schooling, another had no money, another was really successful finantially. Which one do we connect the most with? What can we learn from their examples? I always wondered how Christ would be if He were here in our times of modern technology. The Prophet is probably the closest to that answer.
Something else that I've been consitering is about the use faith and belief. There truly is such thing as excercizing faith and showing faith. Sometimes we need to choose how we are going to use or apply our Faith in Jesus Christ. Some people showed their faith by asking for strength in battle, others showed their faith in sacrificing war and even their lives in service in order to serve God and be saved in His Kingdom. Both groups must first believe that the Lord will help and support them in the things that they ask from Him before they go out and do it. Surely if we are worthy of the spirit and we ask by the Spirit then God will support us. One of our investigators, the name's Noeng, works as a shoe Tailor. For about three years as he worked he would listen to Buddhits priests teach. Now we are teaching him. He asked us some interesting questions. As I was consitering his needs I believed that God could and would prepare an answer that could help him. Elder Tom and I got that answer. If we didn't believe that God would help us in this way, we wouldnt've studied about it, and the answer wouldnt've come as it did. I suppose it's another confirmation of how faith is a choice and that we can indeed excersize our faith. Now I feel much more prepared to teach him.
There's a lot to learn.
Keep being the awesome people that you are, and study the scriptures! Maybe we won't have to wait for Eternal life, maybe we can enjoy it now. That sound's like a big challenge. But that's what lifes about right?
Love ya tons,
-Elder Lilly
Feb 8, 2010
Let's Go.
Dear Family,
I decided to stay till September 3rd, even though I will be one of only two people from my group who are staying. I know that it would be nice to jump right in to school, but I feel like I need to stay. There is work to be done here.
Yesterday night was a good time. Our next door neighbor (the very same one) gave us a huge mound of food. ‘Twas a smorgasbord. He gave us a huge pan of pork, several cans of beans, peas, fruit, and corn, and some bread, and two gallon bags of lentil beans and red-neck soup. He just happened to give us this gift of food on the same week that we had bought hamburger ingredients. I was ready to make Elder Tom and me-self some cheese burgers. And I did. It was a great feast.
We've been switching off weeks for who makes the Sunday night dinner. And of course if I ever make hamburgers I am always reminded of Michael. Mike always made the best hamburgers. And Elder Tom needed to know what a real hamburger tasted like.
Cheese is expensive.
Elder Tom and I are practicing speaking English together. Thai uses a vowel between every consonant. And there is no such consonant as V. That makes words such as harvest very difficult to pronounce. It’s been fun teaching him English.
Last week I mentioned how we had a successful Branch Counsel meeting where we made plans for the members to go out and help fellowship some families in the ward. This week Elder Tom and I made plans to go and teach the members about how to teach. If we want to serve God then we need to study, become child-like, and prepare.
One of the members in Korat has been a powerful example of becoming like a child and serving God. Every time I speak to him on the phone he asks me to teach him something that I learned from being a teacher. He has been a member for less than two years but he and his wife know more about the Gospel than most people do. He quit his Job in order to serve his father for a period of time, but the Lord always provides everything that he and his family need. He is as obedient to the commandments and to his great store of light as he can be. As a consequence he has blessed the lives of many people. And this week his father (our 88 year old investigator) is getting baptized!
All of the members are amazing people. Some of the members are strong examples Sunin’s certain principals that we can learn from. Yesterday I went with the Branch President and Brother Dam to Pah Sunin’s house. He is 80+ years old, lives alone and is amazing….
love elder lilly
I decided to stay till September 3rd, even though I will be one of only two people from my group who are staying. I know that it would be nice to jump right in to school, but I feel like I need to stay. There is work to be done here.
Yesterday night was a good time. Our next door neighbor (the very same one) gave us a huge mound of food. ‘Twas a smorgasbord. He gave us a huge pan of pork, several cans of beans, peas, fruit, and corn, and some bread, and two gallon bags of lentil beans and red-neck soup. He just happened to give us this gift of food on the same week that we had bought hamburger ingredients. I was ready to make Elder Tom and me-self some cheese burgers. And I did. It was a great feast.
We've been switching off weeks for who makes the Sunday night dinner. And of course if I ever make hamburgers I am always reminded of Michael. Mike always made the best hamburgers. And Elder Tom needed to know what a real hamburger tasted like.
Cheese is expensive.
Elder Tom and I are practicing speaking English together. Thai uses a vowel between every consonant. And there is no such consonant as V. That makes words such as harvest very difficult to pronounce. It’s been fun teaching him English.
Last week I mentioned how we had a successful Branch Counsel meeting where we made plans for the members to go out and help fellowship some families in the ward. This week Elder Tom and I made plans to go and teach the members about how to teach. If we want to serve God then we need to study, become child-like, and prepare.
One of the members in Korat has been a powerful example of becoming like a child and serving God. Every time I speak to him on the phone he asks me to teach him something that I learned from being a teacher. He has been a member for less than two years but he and his wife know more about the Gospel than most people do. He quit his Job in order to serve his father for a period of time, but the Lord always provides everything that he and his family need. He is as obedient to the commandments and to his great store of light as he can be. As a consequence he has blessed the lives of many people. And this week his father (our 88 year old investigator) is getting baptized!
All of the members are amazing people. Some of the members are strong examples Sunin’s certain principals that we can learn from. Yesterday I went with the Branch President and Brother Dam to Pah Sunin’s house. He is 80+ years old, lives alone and is amazing….
love elder lilly
Feb 1, 2010
To the best family in the world
Dear Family,
Another moves has passed away. To my great excitement I get to stay in Korat with Elder Tom and my same old district. This next moves will be seven weeks instead of six. Thus far I have stayed in all of my assigned areas for four moves each. That's very lucky, I think.
Conscerning the matter of going home early or not, I will definitely take you're advice, pray about it, and re-read my patriarchal blessing. Actually I had just re-read it this morning. What a blessing my patriarchal blessing as truly been. It is full of personal instructions that I needed. It's exciting to read, every time. It's my own personal chapter of scripture.
I would like to share a short experience from yesterday (sunday evening). Well, firstly we had an effective branch councel meeting after church where we worked according to God's method that he revieled to the Church leaders. I promised the branch leaders that blessings would come to our branch because we worked according to God's instructions, whatever those instuctions were. We set plans for each of our goals and assigned names for each task. I'm sure that it will give good results.
Afterwards Elder Tom and I had the opportunity to teach one of the recent converts in the ward. His name is Brother Wii-wat. We had a special experience teaching him in which we felt the Spirit very strongly. Halfway through the lesson we asked him about his testimony about how he knows that the Gospel is true. He pointed out the feelings that he was feeling right then. He said this is how I know. And the feeling was specialy strong.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple. And it is true. It was so clear and obvious to us then, and it still is now. Now that we know we can increase our testimonies as we go to church and then go out and help others to know too so that they can experience the same blessings from God.
We made sure to record our experience in our journals.
There are many special experiences that come from serving God, and especially for full time Missionaries. The principles are all very simple and true. They apply to everyone.
I just feel grateful that the Lord has answered my prayers and your prayers for me. I feel grateful that the Lord has used me as a tool in His hands. I know that the blessings that I recieved weren't brought because of any great worthiness of myself. And they surely came from God. Thank you all for you're prayers for me.
I sent a package out to you guys by slow boat. It will probably come sometime around next month. Theres something in it for Nana and Aaron too.
Keep working hard!
Love,
Elder Lilly
P.s. I miss Jenn too
One more thing: The weather is great right now. Not stormy, not tooo hot, definitelly not cold.
One more thing: The girls don't get to do girls camp here, but they have other activities that the Branches hold.
One more thing: Don't get a rooster. Dogs are trouble.
One more thing: I like spider monkeys... because spiders are cool.
Another moves has passed away. To my great excitement I get to stay in Korat with Elder Tom and my same old district. This next moves will be seven weeks instead of six. Thus far I have stayed in all of my assigned areas for four moves each. That's very lucky, I think.
Conscerning the matter of going home early or not, I will definitely take you're advice, pray about it, and re-read my patriarchal blessing. Actually I had just re-read it this morning. What a blessing my patriarchal blessing as truly been. It is full of personal instructions that I needed. It's exciting to read, every time. It's my own personal chapter of scripture.
I would like to share a short experience from yesterday (sunday evening). Well, firstly we had an effective branch councel meeting after church where we worked according to God's method that he revieled to the Church leaders. I promised the branch leaders that blessings would come to our branch because we worked according to God's instructions, whatever those instuctions were. We set plans for each of our goals and assigned names for each task. I'm sure that it will give good results.
Afterwards Elder Tom and I had the opportunity to teach one of the recent converts in the ward. His name is Brother Wii-wat. We had a special experience teaching him in which we felt the Spirit very strongly. Halfway through the lesson we asked him about his testimony about how he knows that the Gospel is true. He pointed out the feelings that he was feeling right then. He said this is how I know. And the feeling was specialy strong.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple. And it is true. It was so clear and obvious to us then, and it still is now. Now that we know we can increase our testimonies as we go to church and then go out and help others to know too so that they can experience the same blessings from God.
We made sure to record our experience in our journals.
There are many special experiences that come from serving God, and especially for full time Missionaries. The principles are all very simple and true. They apply to everyone.
I just feel grateful that the Lord has answered my prayers and your prayers for me. I feel grateful that the Lord has used me as a tool in His hands. I know that the blessings that I recieved weren't brought because of any great worthiness of myself. And they surely came from God. Thank you all for you're prayers for me.
I sent a package out to you guys by slow boat. It will probably come sometime around next month. Theres something in it for Nana and Aaron too.
Keep working hard!
Love,
Elder Lilly
P.s. I miss Jenn too
One more thing: The weather is great right now. Not stormy, not tooo hot, definitelly not cold.
One more thing: The girls don't get to do girls camp here, but they have other activities that the Branches hold.
One more thing: Don't get a rooster. Dogs are trouble.
One more thing: I like spider monkeys... because spiders are cool.
Jan 25, 2010
Grandmas Fudge. Aweyeahhh
So,
I got the Fudge. It was the sweetest and most delicious treat that I have tasted since the last batch of fudge that grandma sent a year ago. Thanks Grandma.
Also I got the Card and it is signed and ready to go.
It's exciting to hear that the weather is cool and crazy back home. The more I hear about the weather changes the more I think about what the Prophets have prophecied the last days will be like. And just like it was prophecied, so it really is.
Speaking of distant future events. Last week I was confronted by an interesting decition that we need to figure out by next week. My scheduled time to go home is Sep. 3rd. That's after school starts up already. My group has the opportunity to go home a moves early in order to catch the new semester or stay here and miss it. Most of my group is planning on catching the new semester... infact I'm pretty sure all but Elder young is planning on staying. Personally, I don't mind missing a semester and staying till Sep. 3rd. If I did go home a moves early, then I would come home around the end of July. What parental advice would you give?
I have a question for Braden... What is a Gibbon?
Last sunday I gave a talk in sacrament meeting about our life on earth and the Spirit World. I find it interesting to study about the purpose of life and happiness. It seems like the Lord has shown us through the scriptures who He is and how He will react to our obedience. The Lord loves us and always want's us to be happy. He gave us commandments so that we can be happy. That leaves being happy up to us.
I've been enjoying reading the scriptures and marking only the parts and verses about Jesus Christ. It's helped me to see more clearly how everything is focused on Him. It's helped me to understand who He is more. And that's a sweet blessing, especially everytime I pray.
Last Saturday one of the Lord's investigators that we are teaching was interviewed for Baptism. He is 87 years old. He's great. I'm sure interviewing wasn't easy for him. We are going to teach him for about one or two more weeks before he will be completely ready for Baptism.
His family are members and they are super supportive. I'm sure he'll make it. It's been a pleasure teaching him.
I'm amazed at how rare it has rained where I have been assigned. In other areas it's flooded and they have pictures of water up past their Bicycle tires. I still think that the Sun followed me around the World.
How's Brandon's dream journal going?
Elder Tom and I are going to go visit a member who plays the guitar at restaurants for his job. He just moved in to a new house with a friend. That member (Brother Frog) is going to learn about the Restoration with us. It's a small house, maybe if his friend is home...
Next time we'll come back and teach more about Joseph Smith and how to gain a testimony.
I love you all very very very much times two,
Elder Lilly
P.S. Ready, setty, spaghetty...
I got the Fudge. It was the sweetest and most delicious treat that I have tasted since the last batch of fudge that grandma sent a year ago. Thanks Grandma.
Also I got the Card and it is signed and ready to go.
It's exciting to hear that the weather is cool and crazy back home. The more I hear about the weather changes the more I think about what the Prophets have prophecied the last days will be like. And just like it was prophecied, so it really is.
Speaking of distant future events. Last week I was confronted by an interesting decition that we need to figure out by next week. My scheduled time to go home is Sep. 3rd. That's after school starts up already. My group has the opportunity to go home a moves early in order to catch the new semester or stay here and miss it. Most of my group is planning on catching the new semester... infact I'm pretty sure all but Elder young is planning on staying. Personally, I don't mind missing a semester and staying till Sep. 3rd. If I did go home a moves early, then I would come home around the end of July. What parental advice would you give?
I have a question for Braden... What is a Gibbon?
Last sunday I gave a talk in sacrament meeting about our life on earth and the Spirit World. I find it interesting to study about the purpose of life and happiness. It seems like the Lord has shown us through the scriptures who He is and how He will react to our obedience. The Lord loves us and always want's us to be happy. He gave us commandments so that we can be happy. That leaves being happy up to us.
I've been enjoying reading the scriptures and marking only the parts and verses about Jesus Christ. It's helped me to see more clearly how everything is focused on Him. It's helped me to understand who He is more. And that's a sweet blessing, especially everytime I pray.
Last Saturday one of the Lord's investigators that we are teaching was interviewed for Baptism. He is 87 years old. He's great. I'm sure interviewing wasn't easy for him. We are going to teach him for about one or two more weeks before he will be completely ready for Baptism.
His family are members and they are super supportive. I'm sure he'll make it. It's been a pleasure teaching him.
I'm amazed at how rare it has rained where I have been assigned. In other areas it's flooded and they have pictures of water up past their Bicycle tires. I still think that the Sun followed me around the World.
How's Brandon's dream journal going?
Elder Tom and I are going to go visit a member who plays the guitar at restaurants for his job. He just moved in to a new house with a friend. That member (Brother Frog) is going to learn about the Restoration with us. It's a small house, maybe if his friend is home...
Next time we'll come back and teach more about Joseph Smith and how to gain a testimony.
I love you all very very very much times two,
Elder Lilly
P.S. Ready, setty, spaghetty...
Jan 18, 2010
Game on.
Dear awesome family,
Today the Sisters from Roy Et came to switch off with Sister Hulme and Sister Akagi. We had a blast renting out a vehicle and going to visit Khao Yai National Park. While we were there we saw some film directors and actors who were making a movie close to where we were taking pictures. We said hi and as we were leaving the lead actor asked for our phone number. We gave it to him for fun. Sister Vigitara and Sister Usara (the Roy Et sisters) said that he was a famious Thai actor. Maybe I'll watch the movie when it comes out. If it's good that is. It was a really fun time.
Sister Larson happened to get a new camara for Christmas so she is letting me use her other one for another 7months. I'll send you all some of the pictures (Yessss, finally). It's a nice camara.
I love you tremendously,
Elder Lilly
Today the Sisters from Roy Et came to switch off with Sister Hulme and Sister Akagi. We had a blast renting out a vehicle and going to visit Khao Yai National Park. While we were there we saw some film directors and actors who were making a movie close to where we were taking pictures. We said hi and as we were leaving the lead actor asked for our phone number. We gave it to him for fun. Sister Vigitara and Sister Usara (the Roy Et sisters) said that he was a famious Thai actor. Maybe I'll watch the movie when it comes out. If it's good that is. It was a really fun time.
Sister Larson happened to get a new camara for Christmas so she is letting me use her other one for another 7months. I'll send you all some of the pictures (Yessss, finally). It's a nice camara.
I love you tremendously,
Elder Lilly
Jan 11, 2010
Where all I wish... to catch a fish so juicy sweet.
Dear Family,
This past week we have been exceedingly busy. We have had appointments layed out for every hour of the day until it's time to go home. Although not all of the people that we have visited were open hearted to the message that we came to offer, the Lord has blessed us greatly with a lot of work. I can think of a few factors that have helped us to be ready for such blessings. The first is that we are working towards 100% obedience. The book says to brush our teeth everytime we leave the house... so we brush our teeth. However big or small, we are trying to obey it. Another factor that I think is important is that we have done our best to keep track of, and contact, and remain consistent in our work with our investigators. We are treating each person as if they are a sacred responsability. Some of the investigators that we taught last week, we first invited a few weeks ago. We kept in contact until they were actually available for us to go visit. I'm sure there are several other factors involved but I feel like these few have been the extra consistent effort that brought us the success that we hope for.
I'm glad to hear your goals. I rejoice in the blessings and the excitement that comes from personal progression. And the great thing is that the more we progress the less we think about ourselves. And the more we think of others the faster we progress. It is God's work to bring to pass the imortality and eternal life of man. As we come closer to God we come closer to fulfilling our purpose in life. God want's to help us, we just have to choose.
Tomorrow is Zone conference and I already have gotten a glimps of what's comming up. President Smith is going to give us all new Book of Mormons. He is going to ask us all to re-read the Book of Mormon one more time and highlight every verse that talks about Christ with one color. Then, re-read the book again and highlight every verse that talks about the Gospel. And again with other subjects. Something like that. I remember seeing such a suggestion in Preach My Gospel. I am excited to try it out. I'm sure that it will be a valuable activity.
Over the past week I've been doing my best to use the Book of Mormon while inviting. It's been pretty effective.
Elder Tom is doing very well. He's been one of my favorite companions to work with so far. :) He's jumped right into missionary work like a
champion. It really isn't hard. It just takes willingness, desire, and love.
Thailand is as awesome as ever. Asian people sound funny when they speak english with an accent, but when they are speaking their own language then they are normal. It's interesting to see how the Spirit works with people. Language is not a barrier to the Spirit.
I'm trying out all of the different kinds of food that I can while I can. A few days ago I even had a meal that Elder Tom has never had before. Khaw Pat Plaa (fried fishrice as aposed to fried rice with fish). He said it was weird. I agree. But we both agreed that it was okay. At least it was edible. Fish is tasty.
Keep on being awesome!
Love,
Elder Lilly
This past week we have been exceedingly busy. We have had appointments layed out for every hour of the day until it's time to go home. Although not all of the people that we have visited were open hearted to the message that we came to offer, the Lord has blessed us greatly with a lot of work. I can think of a few factors that have helped us to be ready for such blessings. The first is that we are working towards 100% obedience. The book says to brush our teeth everytime we leave the house... so we brush our teeth. However big or small, we are trying to obey it. Another factor that I think is important is that we have done our best to keep track of, and contact, and remain consistent in our work with our investigators. We are treating each person as if they are a sacred responsability. Some of the investigators that we taught last week, we first invited a few weeks ago. We kept in contact until they were actually available for us to go visit. I'm sure there are several other factors involved but I feel like these few have been the extra consistent effort that brought us the success that we hope for.
I'm glad to hear your goals. I rejoice in the blessings and the excitement that comes from personal progression. And the great thing is that the more we progress the less we think about ourselves. And the more we think of others the faster we progress. It is God's work to bring to pass the imortality and eternal life of man. As we come closer to God we come closer to fulfilling our purpose in life. God want's to help us, we just have to choose.
Tomorrow is Zone conference and I already have gotten a glimps of what's comming up. President Smith is going to give us all new Book of Mormons. He is going to ask us all to re-read the Book of Mormon one more time and highlight every verse that talks about Christ with one color. Then, re-read the book again and highlight every verse that talks about the Gospel. And again with other subjects. Something like that. I remember seeing such a suggestion in Preach My Gospel. I am excited to try it out. I'm sure that it will be a valuable activity.
Over the past week I've been doing my best to use the Book of Mormon while inviting. It's been pretty effective.
Elder Tom is doing very well. He's been one of my favorite companions to work with so far. :) He's jumped right into missionary work like a
champion. It really isn't hard. It just takes willingness, desire, and love.
Thailand is as awesome as ever. Asian people sound funny when they speak english with an accent, but when they are speaking their own language then they are normal. It's interesting to see how the Spirit works with people. Language is not a barrier to the Spirit.
I'm trying out all of the different kinds of food that I can while I can. A few days ago I even had a meal that Elder Tom has never had before. Khaw Pat Plaa (fried fishrice as aposed to fried rice with fish). He said it was weird. I agree. But we both agreed that it was okay. At least it was edible. Fish is tasty.
Keep on being awesome!
Love,
Elder Lilly
Jan 4, 2010
hey hey hey
Dear Family,
Happy New Year! This year's proceliting efforts were better than last years. There were only a few people who told us that they could meet us Lang Pi Mai (after new years). Christmas is not consitered an official holliday in Thailand. They don't get work off during Christmas day. But new years is a holliday. And it's big too. They celebrate new years three times each year. They celebrate the Christian, Chinese, and Buddhist new years. The Buddhist new years is when they hold a huge week waterfestival-war. The tradition for new years weekend is to go home and visit your family. Usually that entails going out of town to visit your place of birth or wherever it is that your parents are. That's why it's hard to procelite on New Years. Well, that and the other unofficial but widely held tradition is that you stay up drinking with your friends all night. New years is the time when the most deaths are caused because of drunk driving. Then the roads are usually packed the next day with people trying to go back to where they usually work/live.
As for me, I ate dinner and lunch twice with members to celebrate New Years. Then I slepped peacefully all night. But I was awake when you guys were celebrating New Years in America.
Elder Tom and I are doing well. We are getting better and better at applying principals from Preach My Gospel.
Today we listened to the Cd of general conference that Spencer and Crystal sent to me. It was Elder Tom's first time of hearing conference in English. He was impressed by the power of the emotion that was in the words of the speaker (Elder Holland). I told him how much I enjoy general conference and how much better the English version is from the bland translation to Thai. And today is his day to practice speaking only English. Hopefuly that will modivate him to learn English better. Heh heh
In Elder Hollands talk I noticed some sweet things about The Book of Mormon that I hope to apply more to our inviting and teaching. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, which is theIron rod that we need to cling to for safety. And the Iron Rod is the way and the only way that leads to happiness, and salvation. The Book of Mormon is an instructions manual for salvation. It leads us to receiving the power of Christ to overcome every trial, trouble, or tribulation. It leads us to receiving help, hope, healing, and happiness. The Book of Mormon keeps us safe. Right now I'm reading about the epistle of Helaman to Moroni. There were some amazing examples of all of these promises being given to the people in that story. And those promises can apply to us. That's pretty awesome.
On saturday Elder Tom and I were tired from working out in the Sun all day, and we felt that we needed to call our investigators/potential investigators to schedule appointments and wish them a happy new year. So, we went to the church and started calling them when one of the members, Broth O, came and started talking to us. He was concerned about another member who was offended by him. We ended up praying and teaching an unexpected lesson to him. I feel like that lesson is just what he needed because he left a better person than when he came.
In that lesson that we taught Brother O, we talked about an interesting point that we don't need to talk to eachother as if we all have problems, because Christ overcame all of our problems already. But rather we can speak to eachother about our trials of which we can overcome through faith in Jesus Christ. And with faith in Jesus Christ we can overcome all things. So we don't really have problems, but rather we have a lack of faith, and an opportunity to grow.
I have not bought the camera yet but I have a plan for it. I might be using some of that money to send a presant home for the family. That would be fun!
Keep working hard and being the awesome people that you are. And don't forget to cling to the rod of iron by reading and studying the scriptures. I wish you all a happy and awesome new year!
Love,
Elder Lilly
Happy New Year! This year's proceliting efforts were better than last years. There were only a few people who told us that they could meet us Lang Pi Mai (after new years). Christmas is not consitered an official holliday in Thailand. They don't get work off during Christmas day. But new years is a holliday. And it's big too. They celebrate new years three times each year. They celebrate the Christian, Chinese, and Buddhist new years. The Buddhist new years is when they hold a huge week waterfestival-war. The tradition for new years weekend is to go home and visit your family. Usually that entails going out of town to visit your place of birth or wherever it is that your parents are. That's why it's hard to procelite on New Years. Well, that and the other unofficial but widely held tradition is that you stay up drinking with your friends all night. New years is the time when the most deaths are caused because of drunk driving. Then the roads are usually packed the next day with people trying to go back to where they usually work/live.
As for me, I ate dinner and lunch twice with members to celebrate New Years. Then I slepped peacefully all night. But I was awake when you guys were celebrating New Years in America.
Elder Tom and I are doing well. We are getting better and better at applying principals from Preach My Gospel.
Today we listened to the Cd of general conference that Spencer and Crystal sent to me. It was Elder Tom's first time of hearing conference in English. He was impressed by the power of the emotion that was in the words of the speaker (Elder Holland). I told him how much I enjoy general conference and how much better the English version is from the bland translation to Thai. And today is his day to practice speaking only English. Hopefuly that will modivate him to learn English better. Heh heh
In Elder Hollands talk I noticed some sweet things about The Book of Mormon that I hope to apply more to our inviting and teaching. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, which is theIron rod that we need to cling to for safety. And the Iron Rod is the way and the only way that leads to happiness, and salvation. The Book of Mormon is an instructions manual for salvation. It leads us to receiving the power of Christ to overcome every trial, trouble, or tribulation. It leads us to receiving help, hope, healing, and happiness. The Book of Mormon keeps us safe. Right now I'm reading about the epistle of Helaman to Moroni. There were some amazing examples of all of these promises being given to the people in that story. And those promises can apply to us. That's pretty awesome.
On saturday Elder Tom and I were tired from working out in the Sun all day, and we felt that we needed to call our investigators/potential investigators to schedule appointments and wish them a happy new year. So, we went to the church and started calling them when one of the members, Broth O, came and started talking to us. He was concerned about another member who was offended by him. We ended up praying and teaching an unexpected lesson to him. I feel like that lesson is just what he needed because he left a better person than when he came.
In that lesson that we taught Brother O, we talked about an interesting point that we don't need to talk to eachother as if we all have problems, because Christ overcame all of our problems already. But rather we can speak to eachother about our trials of which we can overcome through faith in Jesus Christ. And with faith in Jesus Christ we can overcome all things. So we don't really have problems, but rather we have a lack of faith, and an opportunity to grow.
I have not bought the camera yet but I have a plan for it. I might be using some of that money to send a presant home for the family. That would be fun!
Keep working hard and being the awesome people that you are. And don't forget to cling to the rod of iron by reading and studying the scriptures. I wish you all a happy and awesome new year!
Love,
Elder Lilly
Dec 28, 2009
Yup it's Monday
Dear Family,.
It was good talking to you all.
My companion is awesome 'possom. He is adjusting really well to missionary life. He is humble and so willing. I am confident that together we can find the Lord's will and accomplish it.
I love you all,
Elder Lilly
It was good talking to you all.
My companion is awesome 'possom. He is adjusting really well to missionary life. He is humble and so willing. I am confident that together we can find the Lord's will and accomplish it.
I love you all,
Elder Lilly
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
