What. A. Week.

Let me first begin by saying, THANK YOU FOR THE LETTERS! I loved each one of them, thank you so much. I am really grateful to hear from you all and get a little more details on what's going on at home. :) A few of you asked me about the snail mail to Thailand--I think it takes about 10 days to get here, and it's pretty consistent every week. You send it to the mission home, and the office elders send it out to the various areas in the mission. So it gets here pretty fast. It's much better than I anticipated! Anyway, that's the scoop on that. Snail mail is always nice. Any mail is always nice. :) Oh, Jac Jac, I got your email and THANK YOU! I loved hearing from you. I also missed not hearing from Elder Hardcastle...turns out I can receive emails from anyone, but I can only email immediate family. Grandma, I loved your email! I am so glad you emailed me, I have been thinking about you often. We teach a little lady that is just like you--Thai version! Haha, she's so cute. I love you so much! I hope everything is great at home.

Well, I mentioned a little about our efforts from last week, and how we had some good numbers? Apparently last week was good enough to warrant a call from President Smith! He called us while we were eating dinner on Monday night, and thanked us for our efforts/congratulated us. He said our companionship and one other companionship got above 20 lessons last week--sweet! He encouraged us to keep it up, and right before he hung up he said, "And don't worry. The mission will definitely be hearing about this." I didn't think it was good enough for that kind of a response...but I'm not complaining. We've just felt even more pressure this week to work hard and keep our investigators coming. We had 8 investigators at church last week, and 4 this week...we're hoping to get more this Sunday. Anyway, the work is definitely moving forward.

And yes, I read the Book of Mormon in a week! We just finished this morning, and it was absolutely incredible. I can't believe the miracles I witnessed...I wish I had time to tell you. One of the greatest miracles, I would say, were the things I learned about faith. I know that through faith miracles are wrought. When I pray in faith, asking and talking about specific things, Heavenly Father answers me in specific ways. It amazes me! Heavenly Father never once said in the entire book, "Jessica, you must speak perfect Thai and convert every person you see" (as surprising as that may sound). He simply said PRAY IN FAITH, pray with the energy of your soul, and work. I've put it to the test this week, and it's been incredible to witness. I will forever be grateful for this time that I have to dedicate my time, efforts, and heart to the Lord. I already feel I've grown exponentially in the short amount of time I've been here--almost a month! It was incredible to read the Book every day with a question in mind, and every single time I read, I received and answer. Every time. The Book of Mormon answers questions of the soul, like Preach My Gospel says. I know I'm sounding like this nerd of missionary right now, I just wish I could let you feel the excitement I do! WE HAVE THE BOOK OF MORMON, isn't that the most incredible miracle of all? I hope we all use it every single day. Regardless of what's going on in our lives.

Quick shout out to all my priesthood holders out there--I have a favor to ask! In the next few days, could you send me some of your thoughts on the priesthood? Just simplify. It could be an experience, a profound lesson you've learned, etc. President is really emphasizing priesthood holders/families here in Thailand, and any of your thoughts would be appreciated. I just want something to share in lessons/with members/etc for future purposes. Simple is good! Thank you!

It was Sister Young's 1 year mark last Thursday! It was also Mother's Day in Thailand--the queen's birthday. It was kind of hard as far as missionary work goes, because most people were with family/out of town. We decided to eat dinner at Swenson's--an American Ice Cream Store! It was delicious. I was even sneaky enough to buy a candle at 7-11 earlier, and stick it in her ice cream with a lighter. :) We had fun. Time is passing so quickly.

Friday the 13th last Friday...it was a weird day for us. After a long series of events happened all day (too many to tell, we just had to keep laughing all day), we finished it off with a lesson in a woman's home. By the end of the lesson, she had us sniffing a pendant she wore around her neck...which was a chunk of iron in a plastic case, with a bunch of liquid around it, that reeked of something rotten...I think she said something like her ancestors were protecting her...we've talked with quite a few Buddhists here, as you can imagine, but no one has ever expressed beliefs like this. It was even weird for Sister Young. Haha, it was something straight from a scary movie. She even resembled a little witch, haha. She was funny...but a little creepy. Perfect way to finish off Friday the 13th!

We just ate lunch at a little cafe next to the computer place--I ate a club sandwich (delicious.......it wasn't rice or noodles), and they played "On the Street Where You Live", a Don Mclean song, "Stand by me", and you'll never believe this.................TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS!!! Sister Young thought I was so ridiculous, I just started singing along and the employees all thought I was crazy. I wouldn't let her leave until the song was over. I'd venture to say it was one of the best meals I've had in Thailand so far. Thanks for rooting my heart in John Denver, Dad.

Well family, I better be off. I am so grateful for all you do for me! I love serving as a representative of Jesus Christ. It's hard. There wasn't much I could do to prepare for the past 4 weeks, they've been absolutely crazy, haha. I'll be honest, there has been a night or two that I want to call President and tell him to book me flight--I was crazy for coming! But then I see one of our investigators walk in, hugging her Book of Mormon to her chest and giving Sister Young and I some dragon fruit, and telling us about some of the things she's learned from the scriptures. Yup. I love it. This is the foundation of the rest of my existence, I can already tell. I love it here, despite the hard times. Remember to keep praying and reading--the simple things have made all the difference for me.

All My Love,

Sister Nay

P.S. I realize that I often receive direction/answers through quotes or one-liners. I am going to start attaching a quote to my emails that has helped me over the past week. Similar to Jac (once again, haha--you're just my idol! Sorry to copy), but my hopes in doing this are to give you a little more of a glimpse into what I'm thinking about/struggling with/working on. Plus it'll be a good memory jogger for me in the future. This week I have held on to the words of my Dad:

"I know things aren't always easy, but I believe they are as easy as we make them."