We headed down to Bangkok late Wed night on an all-nighter bus ride to pick up our new companion. Sister Young is going home in the middle of a moves, so we are going to have a threesome for a couple of weeks before she goes. Our bus ride was fun...:) haha, Thailand is just crazy. Heidi, we watched Air Bud--Strikes Again (the soccer version) in Thai on the way to Bangkok. Hahahaha...I was laughing so hard throughout it. I'm pretty sure I was the only one awake, everyone on the entire bus had fallen asleep. But I couldn't sleep, and figured Air Bud was pretty much like a church movie, haha. So ridiculous. We got to Bangkok about 6 the next morning, and straight to Moves Meeting. It was so good to see all my friends from the MTC! I have pretty much been isolated to 6 missionaries in Chiang Mai, we don't see anyone. I haven't seen another Sister Missionary besides SIster Young for 3 months, haha. But I love it. We figured we were with each other more in those 3 months than we will be with anyone else in our entire lives. Isolation of Chiang Mai... :) President told us some crazy things at Moves Meeting. We had 20 missionaries finish this past moves, and we got 18 in. As of now, 60% of the mission is younger than 5 moves. We are losing a ton of experienced missionaries in the next couple months. So I was told that my "step-mom" in the mission, or the companion right after your trainer, would be equally important as my trainer and well-experienced. My new companion is Sister Harris, from Burleigh, ID. The kicker? She's 6 weeks ahead of me. Yes, she's my "Phii" in the mission! What the heck is going to happen in Chiang Mai?! Ha, luckily Sister Young will be here for a couple weeks more to help us transition smoother, but this is going to have to be a moves with miracles. We're going to need them like crazy. She's a great missionary, and just this big teddy bear. She's also 6'2", which makes for fun conversations with Thai people. Haha. She is a big sweetheart, and willing to work. We will see great things happen here in Chiang Mai, of that I am sure. I love being a missionary, but sometimes I wonder if Heavenly Father sometimes trusts us a little too much. I am excited to see what will happen, but feel even more pressure to make sure our investigators stay strong and baptisms pull through. I really don't know what I'm doing, but I take solace in the fact that Heavenly Father does, and if I work hard, He will direct my paths. I need him to direct my paths right now! :)
Yesterday for Preparation Day we went up to the mountains with Phii Thum (our investigator) to her house. We got back later than expected because traffic was really bad, so we were able to email this morning instead. Sorry it's late! I hope you all weren't too worried. It was an incredible day in the mountains! I'll attach pictures. I honestly felt like I was living in National Geographic. We were in this small village in the mountains, exploring with little Thai kids that were 6, 9 and 11 years old through the jungle, finding butterflies as big as our faces....haha, it was so fun. I love it here. It was about a 2 hour drive from Chiang Mai to get there, we went even further north almost to Chiang Rai. It was beautiful!!
Well, sounds like Elder Hardcastle made it home safely! I hope all is going well, and everyone is enjoying their time together. I am thinking of you, and I'm praying for all of you and know that you're all so happy! I love you all, and welcome home Dal!!! What a fun time! I know your family is excited to see you (mine as well :) )
Noi and Pong recieved the Holy Ghost on Sunday, plus callings! They're going strong in the Branch already, they're going to be such a strength for the members here. I love those 2, but you already know that. :)
Other than that, we're back to the grind this week. It will be full of miracles. I am excited to see what happens. I love you all, thank you for your emails. I didn't have time to read them all, but I printed them and will read them later. Thank you for being so supportive and strong! Remember in whom we have trusted, and keep trusting, I know that through the Savior we find our greatest strength and most profound joy. I know it now, more than I ever have before. Make it a great week!
Sister Naegle
"The happy life is not ushered in at any age to the sounds of drums and trumpets. It grows upon us year by year, little by little, until at last we realize that we have it. It is achieved not by flights to the moon or mars, but by a body of work done so well that we can lift our heads with assurance and look the world in the eye. Of this be sure: You do not find the happy life, you make it."
--President Monson
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