chiang mai is lovely.

Seriously, I love this city. There is so much to do, to see, everything!! Today we went up to Doi Suthep, a huge wat (Buddhist Temple) on top of a mountain overlooking Chaing Mai. It was pretty much like any other wat--lots of gold, lots of statues, lots of bells, lots of candles, etc. I just watch these people falling all over themselves in front of a statue, and wonder, "What could you possibly be getting from that?" I want to just storm all the wats with pamphlets and Book of Mormons, shouting the truth at the top of my lungs. Dad, you should've given me some coaching on how it's done! If only they knew the truth.

This week has been good...I've definitely struggled a little more this week than the first, haha. The "Thailand bug" caught hold of me, I'm afraid. I won't go into too much detail, but just know that it isn't a whole lot of fun. I really, really hate just sitting in the apartment, though, so we've still been getting out. For some reason I feel better when I'm testifying in broken Thai. Funny how that works. Emmer and Kirsten--I have been living off the granola bars you sent me at the MTC! Thank you so much for sending them, they are the only thing that ever sounds good. Haha. And Lizard and Matt, I discovered the Almond Magnums here.......the death of me! That has been dinner the past 2 nights. Luckily there is a 7-11 pretty much on ever corner here, literally, so I can just stop in and get some crackers or something easy on the stomach. There are definitely interesting things to buy. They do have tim-tams, I don't know if any of you are familiar with them. Missionary's like to "slam" every once in a while, which is eating a package of these cookies and milk in all sorts of creative ways. They're like chocolatey wafer cookies. I guess i'll get into it sooner or later.

Well, now that I've talked a whole lot about nothing, let me tell you a little about my apartment! Some of you asked about it. It's really quite nice, compared to so many of the homes we teach in. It's the Thai version of a Townhouse. Thai version=no carpet, lizards all over the walls, a miniscule fridge (that I'm so grateful for!), gas stove, 2 rooms with air conditioning (I love it. It's a mission rule to have at least one air conditioned room, I guess), and 2 bathrooms. I've heard from a couple people that Thailand is like the Mexico of Asia. I honestly don't think that's far off, from the times I've visited Mexico and our trip to South America, it's very similar. It's so nice here! I'm literally sweating all the time, and it's not even the hot season, haha. I'm living in "heaven!" It's only going to get cooler, too. I'm very, very grateful.

Sister Young has been here about a year, next week. She will be here one more moves after this, then she goes home! I'm learning more and more from here every day. She's an amazing trainer. She has taught me a lot about the people, and I have witnessed a lot myself. The members here are amazing! The other night we had an appt with a man we met at English class, who told us he lived close to the church. So we met a member at the church about 5 minutes before we were supposed to be there, and called him for directions. Turns out he lives about 25 minutes away! Haha...Thai people. Anyway, as soon as this member found this out, she ran to tell the District President's wife, who grabbed her keys and hurried us into her car. She wasn't even planning on going with us, but they both ended up coming and getting us to the appt (although we were late). They are so willing to drop everything to help us.

I love my mission president, by the way. I don't know if I mentioned him or not. I thought at first he was going to be this quiet, older man. But he is down to business. I love it. I guess he's made some dramatic changes here the past year. He has really been focusing most of our efforts in finding families. If we teach a single person, they have to be golden, otherwise we need to drop them. It's kind of sad, because we've already gone through some investigators. But they have to really be progressing fast in order to stay with them. Sister Young says we cycle through investigators like crazy. But we've already seen some miracles in being able to go back to their homes and teach their families. Hopefully we stay faithful and really try to find those who are waiting. I'm doing my best! Sister Smith is awesome, too. She's pretty talkative, and super sweet. She's a lovely "stand-in Mom" while I'm here. She helps us so much!

The people here are incredible, member or not. They are so hospitable, and so giving. A lot of times when we contact, they just let us into their house because they feel "grengchay," or...obligated? There's not a direct translation in English. Anyway, they just let us come because they're trying to be nice. So we try to win 'em over with a killer first lesson! Haha. My Thai is really improving every day. Lessons when I get frustrated and want to speak more, I speak horribly. Heavenly Father totally withdraws help. But lessons that I really study before, and work hard to learn what I need to say, and pray all throughout? They go so smoothly! I hate when my Thai gets in the way of what I'm really trying to say, and everyday it really is getting better. Heavenly Father is blessing me so much, and I witness miracle daily.

Riding bikes is fun! The other night we pretty much rode in the rain all day long...I got home drenched. Like, water dripping off every part of me.The best part is my clothes didn't dry for 2 day after, even hanging up to dry! Ha, everything pretty much stays wet all the time. I love not having to use lotion, though! I'm getting pretty used to being frumpy and greasy, haha. Sounds sick, but what can you do? Riding bikes all day, you're wet all the time...so sorry if these pictures I'm attaching aren't too cute. :) Ha, get used to it for the next 16 months!

Sounds like the 24th of July was fun! Shelby, you better watch your language, little girl! Hahahahaha, I was laughing so hard at that. I can just see Manda being mortified. Livvy, Happy Birthday!!!! I'm so sorry I missed telling you last week, I hope it was fun.

Oh, we taught English class last week! I will just say this: we taught the "advanced" class, and I got a glimpse of what I sound like to the Thai people over here. So many things were said, and I just had to wait to laugh until after. They really have so much patience with me, always telling me that I'm "very skilled," but we all know the truth. Haha. It was fun to be able to speak English with them!

We went to Sizzle on Saturday to start our fast! Haha, I guess there are Sizzlers all over the place, which is crazy. We enjoyed a delicious salad bar. Luckily in Chiang Mai there is lots of farang food, so I have things that will help my stomach and ease me into it. I had a Thai dish the other day that only had 1 pepper in it, I thought I was going to die. One Elder gets 20, which is the highest you go, Sister Young gets 4-5. I will get used to it, I'm sure. We eat a lot from vendors off the street here. We rarely cook for ourselves, though we did make cookie dough last night! Mostly we just get a plate of food from a vendor for $1, and I can hardly eat the whole thing. There are tons and tons of fruit vendors, so the watermelon and pineapple have kept me going. It's sooooo delicious. I love the fruit! Think of the best watermelon you've ever tasted in America, and multiply it by 50. It's so good.
Anyway, I better get running. I love you all so much, thank you for the prayers! I want you to know I have felt the prayers and the help from you. Heavenly Father blesses me every day, and I have the courage to keep going. I'll be honest--I've been a little homesick. But after everytime I pray, I recieve strength from God to get through another day. "One day at a time" has been my phrase lately. I love you all! I hope all is going well for you at home. I love to hear from you!!

Love,

Sister Naegle

Pictures--our trip to the wat today, a beautiful garden, an out look over Chiang Mai, some Monks at the temple, me and Sister Young! Oh, and my picture of me in the pink is my first few minutes in Chiang Mai. That was at 5:30 am here, right after our 10 hour bus ride. WELCOME TO THAILAND, haha. I love you!!!!