3 Weeks Already?

I can't believe I've made it almost halfway through my 1st transfer. It seems like I've been here forever, and that I came just yesterday. I don't think time will cease to amaze me here on the mission, I'm still convinced it has its own timezone.

OK...this week has been crazy! Seriously. I have no idea what numbers are like anywhere else, it has never been on the forefront of my mind. BUT--we taught/contacted like crazy for the Thailand mission, apparently. We taught 23 lessons, we have 15 progressing investigators, 14 new investigators, and 18 potentials. Slightly crazy this week....President Smith has really been emphasizing finding "sticky investigators" (comparison to sticky rice....I'm not sure). In order to do that, we've been trying to contact like crazy and sadly, dropping lots. This week will consist of a lot of calls to investigators and finding out if people are really interested. The weird thing is, call me crazy, I still feel like there are so many more things we can be doing. In a way, I feel this is setting the standard high for me for the rest of my mission. Who knows? But I haven't been as blown away by it as Sister Young, or the Elders in our District. I guess they know how it's "always been," but I've just been seeing so many ways to improve. The dilemma I run into now, it whether I feel qualified to give such advice. I've only been here 3 weeks! Sister Young is more than willing to hear ideas and work with me, but sometimes I just feel like I'm too outspoken. Ha, the story of my life, as you all know by now. "Jessica's talking again..." I just want to do everything to find those that are really waiting! Pres. has asked us to stop spending time with those who are sitting on the fence. If they're not ready now, perhaps they will be in the future. We need to move to find those prepared. I think a lot of this thinking cam from zone conference we had this week. It was incredible! Our zone is pretty small, and I found out I'm in the furthest sisters area from Bangkok (certainly not the most remote, however). We found out we'll be having zone conferences quarterly, so we won't have another conference until November. Anyway, that conference motivated me to find those who are ready. Quit your worrying, Sister Naegle. God doesn't care if I can't speak Thai right now, He cares if I'm trying to find people. So, I tried! In my broken Thai, I invited essentially everyone I saw. Haha, "Raw s>>n phasaa angrid hay fee!!" (we teach english for free!) Then I'd give them a little Jesus pamphlet and try to get their number, which pretty much just consisted of opening my planner and having them write for me. I don't think that is what gave us a successful week--Sister Young has really been working hard. Heavenly Father has truly blessed us for our efforts here...I can't wait to see what happens this week.

Funny story---The other night we were teaching a guy we met at English class. His name is Ganok in Thai, but the English name we gave him is Giant. Ha...he's the raddest man I've ever met. He is Dad's age, has a braided ponytail in the back, lives in this bamboo house with a cluttered yard, and has this quirky personality. Anyway, we were teaching him in front of his house, laughing at all his little jokes, when all the sudden a big clap of thunder struck and it instantly started down pouring. I had a hard time hearing anything, his wife came out wanting to shut their front door, Sis Young and I were standing under this tattered umbrella, and Giant ran to a trailer in his yard and came back with 2 ponchos for us. He just kept talking in Thai, I had no idea what he was saying, and we could not stop laughing. It was the craziest thing, hahaha. He ripped open our packages for us and helped us put on these ponchos, putting the hoods on over our heads just right. Haha. The hoods of these ponchos had the strings like hooded sweatshirts, so you could tighten it around your face. Well, he helped me put on this poncho, then all the sudden these hands were right up next to my face and he cinched the hood so small and tied a bow. I just looked over at Sister Young through this teeny hole, thought of this whole situation, and started laughing harder than I had in a long time. Hahahahahah...oh my heck I'm laughing just thinking about it. We put on our helmets and he opened up the gate for us, and we headed out to our next appt. We rode through nothing short of small rivers and lakes, all the while being pelted with raindrops the size of those giant gumballs you like Mom. Haha. I was laughing the whole bike ride. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but Thai's hate the rain. If we have an appt with someone, and it starts to rain? Guarantee that it's going to be canceled, haha. They swear that if your head gets wet, you're bound to get sick. They think we're crazy riding our bikes everywhere in the rain, but I suppose we don't really have another alternative. :) Besides, it feels good! I got offered a bag to put on my head the other day by an investigator, haha. I don't really bother with ponchos or anything, they're a pain and we're wet all the time anyway. I love Thailand.

I can't wait for you to meet N>>y and Pong...they are this older couple, in their 60s. They are 2 investigators that we've been teaching the past few weeks. She is my Thai mom! She makes the best food, and speaks quite a bit of English. I love them. Anyway, in Buddhism you pay what's called "Tombun" to monks, in order to receive forgiveness for your sins, be a good person, etc. Similar to tithing. Anyway, a few months ago she got sick of paying it because she wasn't receiving anything from it. She said that if she still felt the same by a certain date, she was going to start looking around for another church. Soon after? She found us. They are just good people. They love that about the members here. They serve just because they can--they don't expect anything in return. This couple is so service oriented, they'd give the shirt off their back. Anyway, we taught them this week, and are extending baptism this week. Hopefully all goes well! By the way, he makes the best spaghetti, and she made me some delicious herbal tea last time we went. She just picked some flowers in her yard and boiled them, it was delicious! They are the sweetest people.

I'm realizing what it's like being on the other end of this missionary communication...I'm talking about all these people and experiences that seem so far from you, I'm sure. I remember struggling to find connections to the investigators my siblings would talk about it. It's strange. But just try to remember as you read these emails--these are real people! They're looking for real answers, and they have real concerns. It's just me, little ol' me, teaching people about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Well, Sis Young does most of the teaching, and I add in what I can. I'm entering strangers' homes every single day, inviting them to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it, etc. This probably isn't weird to any of you, I'm just coming to this realization late in the game. It's just strange to me that this is my mission! I'm here! I'm inviting! I'm teaching! It seems so surreal to me, maybe you're all adjusting fine. :) Just remember that it's just me, talking to people. Still weird to me. Sometimes I feel like this is another Ecuador trip and I'm headed home in just a couple weeks. Ha, WRONG! I'm still dedicated to my "one day at a time" motto, it's working well for me.

I love you all so much. I've certainly been tried the past 3 weeks, but I don't care. I'm doing my best to embrace, get out of myself, and just talk to people. Most of the time they just laugh at me, and that's when I just laugh back and hand them a pamphlet and try to explain Jesus Christ. Sometimes they just walk away, others they let us into their house! There are many adventures yet to come, I can't wait to experience them. This week will be even crazier--Sis Young and I are reading to Book of Mormon in a week! That will take much of our "free time," AKA waking up early to read. Thanks for the idea, Jac! She is "dying" soon, so we're pushing to sprint her to the finish line. Ok--I love you all! Thank you for the prayers and letters. You are the best! Make it a great week.

All My Love,

Sister Naegle