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 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
No comments:
Post a Comment