Ashy, you're in a cast?! Oh my goodness, I hope you are ok! You better take care of yourself and not play too hard. Your team needs you to score all the goals! And Miss Brynne, how was your birthday?? I hope you got everything you wished for from the Birthday Fairy. :) I love you two! Kirsten, thank you for your cute email. I loved the pictures. Katie and Josh, how is Jackson? I'm sure just as cute as his older sister!
Miracles this week with Pong and Noi......(I'm sure I spell their names different every email--I don't know how to spell in English!) They had their baptismal interview and passed!!! We are so excited. I can't adequately describe they way their lives have changed. The Light of Christ is growing brighter and brigther in their faces each time I see them. Maa Noi and Pa Pong (with the vowel "aa" like in "last"--it means "mom." And "pa" is the vowell like in "ball." It's kind of a term of endearment here in Thailand, you call people either "Phii" or "Pee" if their older than you, but if they're a close friend but not family, you can call them "maa" or "pa", or sometimes uncle or aunt. Anyway, Pong and Noi are Maa and Pa for us) have been changed by the gospel. We saw them 2 days before their interview, and taught them how to pay tithing. Noi looked up at us all the sudden and said, "I get it now!" We were a little surprised, and she went on to explain how she bought a lottery ticket about a month ago, and won the lottery (like 1,000 baht), which she has never done in her whole life. But she had lost it since then, and has not been able to find it. She says usually she finds things so quickly and can remember, but cannot find the ticket anywhere! She then said, "I get it now. This is not what we pay tithing off of, this is not something I should be doing. I'm not even mad I lost it! I understand now! Oh...I get it now. I'm not supposed to find that ticket, and I don't want to. I'm not even mad." Hahaha, I love that woman. She is very headstrong, very stubborn. She expressed to us the night of her interview how much this message has influenced her life. She is ready and willing to give everything...and so is Pong. Soon before they left, he looked at SIster Young and I and said, "We'll see you in Salt Lake in a year to go through the temple." AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Regardless of whether they go to SLC or Hong Kong, it doesn't matter. But they are determined and set on going. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE! We will be having their baptism this Sunday, in between sessions of conference. I can't wait! I will let you know how it goes next week.
I was lucky enough to eat with one of our investigators from Burma this week--it was her little boys 1st birthday (the picture is attached). We ate burmese food and it was delicious! I want to go to Burma someday...it is part of our mission, after all, but no missionaries there. I was also lucky enough to eat farang twice this week! I got a gourmet, monster cheeseburger at a farang restaurant here with a big brownie sundae (very healthy, I know)....for a total of $5. I'm serious, this was like deluxe food for in the states. I love Thailand. And Elder Hardcastle? I even had the priviledge of eating a chicken cordon bleu in honor of you and your birthday on Saturday, with an ice cream sundae. You don't have to thank me. Ha, we really don't eat farang that often...just twice this week! So good. Rand, I'll do my best to find some recipes for thos foods! I'll ask Maa Noi next time I see her. Thanks!
So, this is just a shout out to anyone who may be sending things in the mail. Passalong cards/pictures of temples in Utah (or the US) would be really nice. I really want to push temples with our investigators, but we've only got picts of Phillipines and Hong Kong temples. People particularly love the SLC temple, but any of them would be great. If you happen to be at the distribution center and see some, a few would be great. Thank you so much!
I've been blessed this past week to really see the work I'm a part of from a bird's eye view. It has been a miraculous thing to see! I know that I am representative for Jesus Christ. I know that He is the head of this work, and that He has long since been working with these people before me. I notice it with every new investigator we meet with. Heavenly Father always makes Himeself known in their lives before they meet with us, and that little experience helps prompt them to agree to meet with us. Through those experiences from Heavenly Father, they are prepared to accept and embrace this message. I love the changes that living the gospel brings to people....particularly the people of Thailand. Even just sitting here in this computer cafe, with a Thai man sitting next to me talking so loudly and playing pointless internet games....or random people I see riding motorcylces all around me...I just want to get on the tallest building in Chiang Mai and start yelling the good news! If only I could be Samuel the Lamanite! It amazes me how universal the gospel is, yet how personal it is. I know that this will bless the lives of others, because it has blessed my own life. I try my best (I am no where near perfect) to apply it in my life everyday as a missionary. There are nights that I don't think I'm going to be able to get out of bed the next morning. But each and every day a miracle occurs, and I get out of bed! I just know that Heavenly Father is aware of me, and each of you. I feel His love every day, and the way I feel it is through prayer. If you question anything I'm saying, go kneel down and pray from your heart. You'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
Jac Jac, I finally had the opportunity to listen to your homecoming talk today. (It's on a CD and doesn't play in normal players, but we were able to listen at the church today) Long story short...thank you for serving so faithfully, and being a pure and stellar example of living the gospel. I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was brought to tears throughout the whole talk, it make me realize how much I miss you! AND....Olivia is walking?!? WHAT?!?!?! Oh my heck, it doesn't feel like I've been gone long until I hear things like this. CRAZY! How are the pregnant sisters doing? I hope you're feeling well.
Ok, I hope you're all doing well! I love you all so much. Remember to live what you know--people are always watching whether you believe it or not. Oh, and real quick--whoever sees Elder Hardcastle before me (aka all of you) give him a BIG hug from me!! It'll be a while before I can myself. :) I love you all! Make it a great week.
Love,
Sister Naegle
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