Tagless but Happy.

The first picture attached is of a member dinner for Elder Thipitak, who is leaving the mission this week! It was delicious cashew chicken, tomyam, stirfried veggies/meat, and of course.......mangos and sticky rice. This time of year, the mangos are wonderfully ripe, and so the sticky rice is EVERYWHERE. Before this transfer I had it maybe once, and I bouth it myself. We're having people give it to us left and right--but I'm NOT complaining. At first I didn't care for it that much...but now....? AH.

I've had lots of people ask about earthquakes...we've heard news. We're praying hard for the people of Japan! It's strange that's so close to me right now. I'm actually in that neck of the woods? And yes, in Burma as well...Watch out for the 2nd coming!

I lost my name tag. Tuesday it rained for about an hour, which is plenty of time in Thailand to just start flooding. We were riding home from the church, swiftly, because we were in about 6 inches of nasty dirty water and having to put your foot down in that is...atrocious, to say the least. The problem is, we were at a contruction site with lots of bumps. My name tag isn't as strong as it used to be, due to an adorable little girl that always rips it off my shirt and uses it as her chew toy. Unfortunately, I hit a pothole and my tag dropped into the water. Without thinking, I pulled over, pulled up my skirt, and started eyeing where it could've fallen. Meanwhile, Sister Sorge was laughing up a storm, and there were tons of cars in this congested area, and I was playing frogger in between everyone, sticking my hand in the water and searching madly for my tag....but to no avail. It's lost and gone forever in the floods of Thailand! It at least makes for a good story.....but I miss my sun bleached/tattered name tag. I'll just have to wait a few more months for my next name tag to be just as sun worn.

Happy birthday today to Sister Sorge! We celebrated by going out to eat with Sister Noppamas, who is leaving for Utah this evening. That's right, she's going to study spring/summer at BYU, and then coming back here in the fall for good. I will miss her! I want you to get in contact with her if possible! I'll find her info and give it to you. I LOVE THAT WOMAN!!

I noticed an amazing miracle. As it has been coming to another end of the transfer, I was telling Sister Sorge last week that I felt like I hadn't done much in Bangna. I felt like I've been working, being productive, and doing my best...but not seeing the results I'd like to see. JUST 2 DAYS LATER Heavenly Father revealed something incredible to me.

About a month ago, I had a terrible first lesson with Sister Sorge. We were pushy, the spirit wasn't present, and it was just overall bad. But I remember that day just praying in my heart that Heavenly Father needed to lead me where we needed to go. Just as that lesson ended, I randomly/quickly got the number of a woman walking by. We visited her a couple of times after that, and then she went home (far away) for a couple of weeks. We didn't have any contact. This past Tuesday, we went to visit her again. She isn't in the most comfortable of situations...she's living next to the khlong (stinky, dirty city "river"), in a little shack, and is cutting these little black rubber squares all day. For how much? 100 pieces for 5 baht. NOTHING. Her situations has truly humbled her, not made her angy with the Lord. She just had big tears roll down her cheeks, as she discussed her situation with us. That day, I had nothing to say, I had no words. But I had LOVE. More love than I can express. I simply reached across the box of rubber and hugged her. After that lesson we asked for member help, and talked about job options.

Sunday rolls around...and when we walked in the gate and were just about to walk in the front door of the church, we heard someone call out, "Sisdah!" I turned around to see someone I didn't recognize. It was this same woman, with a slight curl in her hair, a grin on her face, and a bounce in her step. I had to take a double check. All throughout church she made friends like THAT. A couple of the members came up to me and asked, "When are you going to teach her again? I want to come! I'm free...." such and such day. And even after she left. another woman asked about her. Jiab, this woman, is incredible, family. We went on with our regular lessons throughout the Sunday, and that evening we went with Sister A to visit Sister Koi. They were talking as I was playing with Ning (the one that likes to eat my name tag...I sent a picture of last week!), and I heard them say, "Yeah, Jiab is excited about the new job....." I wheeled around. "What?" "Didn't you hear, Sister? I arranged a job for her! She'll be a housekeeper Mon-Sat, stops Sundays." My jaw dropped to the floor. I wanted to cry I was so happy. Here was this woman, crying to me over weeks past about finding food for her little granddaughter to eat. She put her head down, didn't call a lot of attention to herself, and tried to do the work she could. But through the power of the Spirit and the hand of the Lord, THIS WOMAN'S LIFE IS CHANGING. I love the power of the Atonement. More than anything, I love seeing the light in her eyes as she soaks in what we're teaching her. This message is so powerful!

So, the moral of the story. Just when you feel like you're not doing enough, or simply you're not enough, just think again. Think about the miracles you've witnessed, that you've been a part of, and let yourself feel His love and gratitude for being you. I promise there is no other feeling like it!

I have loved my time in Bangna. My time could very well be coming to a close...transfers are this week! I have learned that it is the PEOPLE that make the area. Not the area. I thought I would never love somewhere as much as Chiang Mai. But Bangna proved me wrong. These people (members, investigators, and strangers on the street) are AMAZING. As I'm riding my bike all over tarnation, I've turned from watching buildings and goods being sold, to people's faces. It's amazing the change I've witnessed. I love these people. I love feeling Heavenly Father's love for them, and trying to convey that love through words, actions, and testimony. I JUST LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

Keep on keepin' on. Thank you for your prayers and support--I feel them! Make it a great week....

All My Love,

Sister Nay

"Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth." 1 Samuel 3:9

They're ONE!!

Sounds like the birthday party was a blast for all who went. And they pictures are adorable! I love their cute little hats. They look soooo big......I can't really comprehend it. I can't comprehend that they were born a whole year ago--it feels like last week! That's one of the surprises of a mission. It seems like the time that we go, everything should just stop in place at home and we return to everything/everyone being the exact same. I don't comprehend everyone changing and growing up so much! But, as I've said before, I can't wait to come home and be the favorite aunt of all these little people again. Sorry sibs. We all know it's true.

This week--full of different activities! Two of most importance come to mind. For some unknown reason, the Assistants and Zone Leaders wanted to do a specific "Sister's Meeting" for the sisters in Bangkok. There are only about 10-12 sisters in the area, so it wasn't a huge meeting. But much was saided (yes....i just typed saided. This is just giving you an insight into my English these days.) that we needed to hear and apply in our work. It was much about inviting and extending the baptismal commitment. I will just say that we learned so much that we were trying to find answers to. We had our questions for Heavenly Father, and He answered so many of them at that meeting. And, of course, the adorable Sister Smith was at the meeting, too! I LOVE HER. She gave a couple little bits of advice, but what she said at the end was particularly powerful. She talked of the influence we would have on those around us throughout our lives, because of our experiences we're having now. I know that women are not expected to serve a mission, but that very reason makes this experience that much more meaningful for me. I remember that it was ME that chose to be here. I wanted to come, and prayed, and I got an answer. And I received so much direction and comfort on Friday morning as I listened to Sister Smith's words. I know this is where I need to be in my life--not just on a mission, but in Bangnaa with Sister Sorge! I love this girl.

After the meeting, I officially made the venture to my first "switch-offs." I went to Saphansun with SIster Jensen, and Sister Alisa (yes, my cute little Thai companion from last transfer), made her way to Bangnaa with Sister Sorge. It was just 24 hours, but it was well worth the time spent, I learned so much from Sister Jensen (she's on my left in the picture I attached, Sister Sorge is across from me, and cute SIster Alisa on my right). She was 6 weeks ahead of me in the MTC, and it was good to spend some time with her. For once, I felt like a Nong again! That was nice. Meaning...I wasn't the one making all the decisions. Haha. It's good to be back, and feel rejuvenated for the work. It's basically a missionary sleepover--it was fun. My favorite part was borrowing Sister Alisa's minuscule bike to get around Saphansung. And her little helmet. I wish I could describe the ridiculousness of that event.

I have to say this before I forget--I am SO grateful for any and all that had a part, large or small, in my learning the piano. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never thought I would be so grateful for that gift as I have been on my mission. I have played nearly every week in sacrament meeting here in Bangnaa, and in Relief Society as well. And any additional activities they have going on at the church. I'm not any concert pianist, but I can plunk enough keys to get by. Shout out to my parents for paying, for making me sit at the piano and practice, for siblings who set the example, for grandparents who invited me to play my prepared pieces at family Christmas parties and supporting me at recitals, and for my cute piano teacher for all those years. I just love music and being able to contribute in a way that doesn't require language. Everyone feels the spirit through music.

I cannot adequately describe this transfer. Yesterday, Sunday, was the first Sunday of my mission that I didn't see any investigators at church. Yup. That was fun. But I am learning a great difference in "high hopes" and "faith." The two are very different. Even when I have high hopes for a good thing to happen, my hope is crushed if the desired result doesn't occur. On the other hand, if I have FAITH that something will happen, and it doesn't, I'm still able to be full of hope! All that's in my mind's eye is that I'll redouble my faith the next time around. It doesn't mean it wasn't supposed to happen, it just means that I can do more to make it happen. I suppose it's the difference in putting faith in people or Heavenly Father and the Savior. I feel as though this transfer is the foundation of my life as a mother, wife, and daughter of God. Everything I've learned in my life has been applied in this one transfer. Every transfer has its importance, but the past 5 weeks have changed my life. And I can't believe transfers are just next week! This transfer felt like one really long day!

Thank you for all your letters and support from home. Many of you have said, "Don't forget that you have a family at home that loves you," or "Remember you have loved ones in your corner." THANK YOU for those reminders. But I want to remind each of you of something. DON'T FORGET YOU HAVE A MISSIONARY IN THAILAND THAT LOVES YOU AND IS FIGHTING FOR YOU IN YOUR CORNER! While it isn't as personal as an individual letter, it still remains true. Even if you're reading this and thinking, "How could I have possibly affected Sister Nay's life? We don't even talk that often!" I will ask you to think again. I am thinking of every person in my humongous family. I'm thinking of neighbors. I'm thinking of old roommates, old friends from high school. I'm thinking of old family friends. All of you have made a difference in my life. I love you for who you are, but more importantly, Heavenly Father loves you more than you understand. I would ask each of you to take 5 minutes tonight, in the quiet of your room, and talk openly with your Father in Heaven. Let yourself feel his love! I know it's real, I'm feeling it more every single day as a missionary, for people I've never met. I LOVE THE GOSPEL!

All My Love,

Sister Nay

P.S. "If all you know is what you see with your natural eyes and hear with your natural ears, then you will not know very much." --President Boyd K. Packer

"You will remember that Alice comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom Alice asks, 'Which path shall I follow?' The cat answers, 'That depends on where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn't matter which path you take.' Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for by choosing our path, we choose our destination." -President Thomas S. Monson

I love to learn!

I wish i could adequately describe all that I'm learning as a missionary. Particularly this transfer. I feel I'm making all these life connections every single day, and some I've been waiting forever to find the answer! One major connection I made this week is this: I'M NOT PERFECT. Of course I've never vocally professed to be perfect, nor have I ever thought in my mind that I am. However, the expectation has always silently been there. It's been this...overshadowing burden that's been particularly heavy as a missionary. But, along with my realization of the Atonement last week, I realized also that I am no perfect. I've never smiled so brilliantly, so joyously. I know that Heavenly Father does not expect me to be, but has instead provided a perfect way that I can learn to rely on Him even more. I LOVE THE GOSPEL. It's perfect.

This week we met with Phii Bun--HOORAY SHE'S HOME!! She unexpectedly went home to the Eesan (super far away) for about a month, and we lost contact with her. She was awesome, a baptismal dater and all. We'd stop by on occasion to see if she was home yet...and gratefully, she's back! She has returned even more determined and sure about her decision than ever before. Except for this time, she's waiting on the date. Wanna know why? She needs her husband to accept, as well. THe problem is, he's a pretty strong Buddhist...we're still working with him, both of them. But the miracle is BOTH came to church yesterday! And Bun's daughter! It was fantastic. They're an adorable family. Bun told me last week, "Sister, I know now. I just know it's all true. There's no other way. Heavenly Father is real. Jesus Christ is the Savior. It all makes sense." That makes a missionary smile. Just the other day, for example, she was explaining Nephi's story to her friend, who was having a hard time. We happened to knock on the door just after she finished her sentence with the word, "Nephi." At that second, she heard me call out, "Sawadii Kha, Phii Bun!" I heard laughing at that point, ha, but soon found out it was because they were have a Book of Mormon study just as I was calling out to them. :) How fitting.

I got invited to learn about the Islam religion this week. That was fun. Haha. We were inviting, and this woman was rather insistent that I go talk to her niece about learning English. I had a feeling she was Islam...but we went. After a couple minutes discussion of what the English class was, her mother asked, "Okay, now that that's over with, come on in and I'll explain about Islam." "Uh...no thank you....? We'd better get going....See you at Tuesday English class!" We had a good chuckle about that. Just so you know, teaching Islam people is off limits. We booked it outta there.

We had an awesome experience with Phii Briaw. We taught her at her apt, luckily, instead of her little shop on the street (much quieter at home...). We discussed faith, shared a scripture that she understood just perfectly, and really applied it. (Mormon 9:20-21) She then identified that she'd never asked Heavenly Father if He loved her. She simply just prayed, knew that He existed, and that was that. She'd never made the personal connection. So, we invited her to do so. We knelt together, invited her to ask the question in prayer, and wait for 20-30 seconds together. It ended up being a good minute...and when she opened her eyes, tears just rolled down her cheeks. She said, "i'm not sad--why in the world am I crying?!" She knew without a doubt. It was incredible to be part of. We simply bore testimony that we felt it too, that Heavenly Father did love her, and would prepare a way for her to be baptized. Powerful. The only way to teach is through the Spirit.

We discovered something! Sister Sorge's grandparents are Gary and Athlene Rasmussen, who used to live in Bountiful. She wrote a story last week in the email about my infamous Uncle Arlyn! Apparently he was famous for playing under the sacrament table with his cars. Hahaha. Do their names ring a bell?

Happy Birthday on Saturday to my cute nephews! And WELCOME LITTLE SAMUEL TRAVIS!! I am so happy he's made it here safe. I love this work. I love that I'm here as a servant of the Lord at this time of my lfie. I can't believe how much faster time goes with every passing day...SLOW DOWN! I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, even these amazing Thai people. I love this work! Make it a great week!

All My Love,

Sister Nay

I'm trying to be like Jesus,

I'm following in His ways.

I'm trying to love as He did,

In all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted

To make a wrong choice.

But I try to listen

As the Still Small Voice whispers

Love one another as Jesus loves you

Try to show kindness in all that you do.

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,

For these are the things Jesus taught.

A New Nephew!!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy!!! The new little one (possibly Sam...but I'll wait for further details on that...) is born! I got one picture from Mary, just of the back of his head. I can't believe I have another nephew! And what a great birthday present for Lizard. Speaking of birthdays, HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TO CADEN AND BLAKE!!!! I am sad I'll miss all the festivities, but don't forget your favorite auntie will be back shortly, and we'll have all kinds of superhero parties for your 2nd birthday. Boys like superheros, right? I can't remember with all these girls around. But welcome to your family, Sam (maybe Sam)!!

This week. Not sure where to begin. I thought I learned a lot about myself before on my mission, but nothing compares to the introspection that has occurred these past 3 weeks. Sister Sorge is fantastic--she has brought out a side of me that I didn't know was there. There were so many little holes in my heart that I have not be ready or willing to accept my whole life. Things that were either missing, or chips of "that's just the way I am" that I've been too lazy to remove. Some of them I was aware of, others I am discovering for the first time. Let me illustrate a little of how we came about the issue this past week. It has been a break through of a week.

Last Friday we went to teach three women in their 50s that we met the week prior. We felt prepared and ready for the lesson. As we got things started, the Spirit was strong and we felt okay about things. Then as we talked, one of the women kept bringing up the same concern, over and over and over. It was valid, but it turned to the point she was angry. She said, "How am I supposed to sit and read the scriptures, or take the time to go to church, when I'm depending on my children for life? We don't have any kind of life care in Thailand, so I spend my time collecting trash in order to give my grandchildren rice to eat. I cannot possible read the scriptures when I'm worried about them." Valid, I agree. But it started getting out of control. We kept our whits about us as best as we could, and maintain the Spirit...but it didn't end too well. We prayed as soon as we could and got outta there.

Back at the house, after our personal study, (we're now studying in the afternoons for the summer schedule--apparently it's "too hot" in the afternoon, but in my opinion it's "too hot" all the time. Who cares when we study?) we discussed what happened. As we talked more and more, and cried more and more, we came to realize something very priceless. I read in the book Grandma sent me last year in one of her packages, "Believing Christ." I've read it before, but I've flipped through its pages again on my mission. The parable of the bicycle came to mind, and I read it aloud with Sister Sorge. We just wept as we read it. We knew that we weren't perfect in that lesson, but that there was a way to get through to all of God's children (if you're unfamiliar with this parable, look it up!). It wasn't just that lesson that brought all this up--we're just discovering a way to find joy in the work we're a part of, not just accepting to be a stress case all the time. I cannot adequately describe the emotions in my heart as I read that parable, but suffice it to say, that the power of the Atonement has never struck my heart that way.

At that moment I knew I was nothing. At that moment I knew I didn't have enough change to buy the bicycle. But, at that moment, I also knew of the source that could help me amount to something. I knew that I could not succeed in this work (or life) alone, but through the encircling power and love of the Atonement, Heavenly Father would help me succeed through Jesus Christ.

Never, ever have I recieved better news than that.

So while we may not be seeing the success I saw In Chiang Mai, I am learning priceless lessons that will benefit me throughout my life. We're still trying and determined to find the elect, but have a new perspective. I'm slowing down a bit. I'm enjoying life. I'm taking time to laugh. I never thought I was a stressed person, but all the sudden I'm trying to run faster and faster to succeed! Needless to say, I've been reviewing President Uchtdorf's talk yet again, and trying to take a step back and look at my life. This transfer is literally changing me from the inside out. I cannot describe, but I know it's real, and it's happening.

Bottom line? I LOVE THE ATONEMENT. I know the best way to understand our Savior and His love is to apply this precious gift. I love the gospel.

That's all I have for this week, not much else went on (though this was PLENTY!). We both feel we're headed in the right direction, and are going to continue moving forward. Every page, everyone line, every word of the Book of Mormon is true. Use it! As always...make it a great week.

All My Love,

Sister Naegle

P.S. A little return note from President Smith this week to me: "baptisms simply make all the pain, sweat and tears worth it." (regarding Baa Phat's baptism last week. She's officially a member!)

P.S.S. The pictures--one of me and SIster Sorge and Sister Noppamas on the lawn at the church, discussing life. I love that woman. Another of our adventure in Bangkok today! A very expensive buffet on the top of a skyscraper--the 78th floor. It was DELICIOUS but I'm so full. And another picture of our cute Valentine's day stuff from Lizard. Thanks for the socks! We love them! Oh, and Dallin--THANK YOU for the cinnamon bears. We almost cried when we ate them. Haha.