Happy Easter!

I can't believe Easter has come an gone...and the weeks keep flying by....but I just attached some pictures of our Easter adventures. We made Mom's delicious no bake cookie birds nests for Easter! And Grandma Rosie's cadbury eggs came in handy, too--they were great robin eggs. :) Haha. My companion and fellow sister missionaries loved it, and they'll be going as presents for members tonight. I love Easter. We also got to dye some sweet eggs, too! Never thought I'd do that in Thailand. They're little monsters, too. :) It was from a package from home.

I've been horrible with birthdays--but Happy Birthday to Kirsten, Maere, Nate, and Jaclyn! I'm sorry if I've forgotten anyone else, but I hope you're birthdays were wonderful! I love you and am grateful for you.

I have to start off by telling you about last Tuesday. It was a particularly hard day. I just felt...emotionally, physically, and mentally drained. Before we left the house, I told Heavenly Father that I needed His help to get anything done that day. It was like I was giving my 100% that day, but in reality it was like 20-30% on a normal day. I gave everything. And even though it was difficult, I kept my thoughts turned upward. I tried to keep praying, keep asking for guidance, keep looking to Him in all I did. Just 10 minutes into inviting, a woman invited us into her house. We taught a first lesson, and the Spirit was powerful. I KNOW we were made instruments in His hands. There is no other feeling like it. Anyway, after explaining prayer and the ability we have to receive personal revelation through asking/receiving answers through our feelings, I asked her, "When you know this is true, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ?" She said she would. We invited her to pray and ask if she should follow His example. Afterwards, her feelings were "hard to explain," but she felt warm. She felt...happy. Nothing huge, just happy. I said, "Do you believe those feelings come from God?" She said she did. I then invited her to be baptized on the 29th of May, telling her that baptism was the way we follow Jesus Christ. She ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!! First lesson! I then explained this message is for the whole family, and invited her to ask her husband to join us the next morning, when we'd return. We came back the next day, and her husband was there. And not only that--after just 2 minutes of talking he expressed his desire to quite smoking and drinking. He has a little 7 yr old girl, and 6 mon old boy. After the most sincere, genuine testimony/promising blessings I could muster, he was touched. And RECEIVED THE BAPTISMAL COMMITMENT THAT DAY!! Not only that, he was asking us questions, like, "What do I need to wear? How do I prepare?" 2 daters, a family of 4, in 2 days. And the little girl is so excited to turn 8 this year so she can be baptized, as well. I played with the little boy and talked to him in baby talk, saying, "You're going to make a great missionary someday, aren't you?" And the mom answered for him, "That's right!!" About stole my heart at that instant.

It all sounds a little too great, doesn't it? It was the greatest blessing ever. It was yet another realization that the blessings truly come after the trial of our faith. I know that we are put in places at specific times, but Heavenly Father doesn't expect us to be perfect. I think that's where many of us get confused. Any other day, I would've thought myself to be suuuuper lazy. But I was doing my best that day. And look at what happened? I LOVE THIS WORK. I know that God qualifies who He calls, just as President Monson reminds us.

This Easter provided me the opportunity to reflect on the things I'm learning as missionary. Which are endless, so it seems....but I love what I've learned of the Atonement. I have learned that agency is of utmost importance, but the beauty of agency is that we only have a choice because of Jesus Christ. If our Savior did not make the sacrifice He did, and provide a way for us to return home one day, would we even have a choice? Would we even be able to return to heaven? NO! We'd all be forced to follow Satan. We would eventually do something wrong at some point in our lives. And what's more than that, we would all die eventually. We would be aimless, yet forced. This Easter, I had the distinct impression that I have a choice because I have the Savior. That's it. End of Story. We can choose where we want to go, and I'm learning more every single day what path I want to take. I know the only way to true happiness is following our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope each of you took at least a moment to ponder the infinite blessing of the Atonement this Easter. I LOVE THE ATONEMENT, and the gospel, and all it entails for me and my family.

Keep giving Him your all, in whatever stage of life you are, under whatever circumstance. You know that's where happiness lies! Make it a fantastic week...

All My Love,

Sister Nay

P.S. Matthew 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lost it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

Confidence Replaces Fear.

Thank you for your letters/emails! Sounds like all is well. Grandma Rosie, I got your package! THANK YOU!! And I am so excited to be a set apart full time missionary with my cute grandparents--welcome to the mission, Grandma and Grandpa!!

Sonkraan has come and passed...and holy smokes. Never a crazier holiday in all the world. Haha, seriously! Just to prove it, I have a scab on my nose right now from a drunk guy throwing a bucket of water over my head, and seriously miscalculating the depth perception. But the good news is, I still love Thailand and never want to leave. I LOVE THIS PLACE! It was basically a straight waterfight for 3 days straight. Literally. The first day, April 13th, we showed up at Phii Boon's totally soaked and chalk thrown all over us (the attached picture of me in a pink shirt with Sis Sorge). Another picture is of me and 3 Thai girls--members at the ward. They took us out on Friday, and it was crazy! That was when I got the battle wound. Just drunk people everywhere (we went in the middle of the day, so it wasn't too bad, apparently at night is way worse) throwing water relentlessly at one another. Plus the chalk/pasty stuff they chuck at you, you're extra clean when you get home. And let me remind you, it doesn't matter if you're "playing" or not--I'm afriad two white people on bikes are easy targets for all, even when we're on our regular teaching days. Haha. It was still a fun week, unfrogettable--that's for sure!

This week, there was much talk amongst missionaries that it was going to be a "hard" week to get the work done. Especially in Bangkok, because everyone leaves to go home (out of Bangkok) for the week, and everyone's just drunk and playing all the time. This week, the Lord proved that this was not the case! We saw more miracles than i can adequately describe in this email. But I'll try. We rarely went inviting, and when we did, we found a family willingly accept us in for a first lesson. One of them being a family of four (mom dad and 2 daughters). We still taught a bunch of lessons, and had tons of new investigators. The Lord blessed us last week. Not doubt about it.

Not only did we find new people, but we had much success with our current investigators, as well. This email is dedicated to Phii Nang. Remember the woman that gave us the bunch of 20 bananas and a papaya the size of a watermelon (the attached picture with the little girl is her daugter)? Well, she's changed. Changed, family. I can't describe all the ways. But at first, this woman was unsure, uncertain, and scared to take the step towards Christ. She had tried before in her life, with another sect. But she fell before, and at that time decided relying on herself was better. Religion couldn't help her! SO...when I started teaching her, that was where she was coming from. She wasn't scared of sin, of anything she did wrong. She figured, if she was brave enough to do it, then she'd better be brave enough to recieve the consequences. And she's a bully type personality, too...just a tough woman. I've enver felt that from her, though. She...she and I have the same heart, it feels. We're on the same page. To see the miracle in her life has changed my life. She has changed me. I think that to witness confidence replace fear is one of God's greatest miracles. Let me repeat that. To see confidence replace fear is one of God's greatest miracles.

Last night, we got on the subject of a baptismal date. We extended the date a week ago, and she's been praying about it, pondering, etc. When I extended the commitment again last night, she said, "Sister Nay, this is what I wanted to tell you. I want to be baptized. I just have to go home for a month or 2 to take care of my Grandma/kids while my husband stays here and sells. I want to be baptized the 8th of May with Boon [her neighbor who is equally incredible]....and I promise I"ll read every day while I"m home. Can I do that? It doesn't matter when. I know I'm getting baptized. Whether it's before I go home, or when I get back, I know that's what I'm doing. I'm set. I'm determined, Sister......" And then after thinking for a moment she said, "I know now...well....I know now, that the moment I start to feel like I can't do it anymore, and I start to slip, I give it all to the Lord. ALL OF IT. And at that moment? I'll be okay." I just stared at her. Just....complete disbelief to what I was hearing this woman say. I LOVE HER. I've never loved someone so much, outside of my own family/best friends.

This will describe this one transfer so far. Love. Complete, unselfish, indescribable, unconditional love. I wish I could explain more than that. But it's more a feeling than an explanation. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way. It is where happiness lies. Everything else is a lie. God is truth.

Thank you for your prayers, I feel them constantly. I'm being led by angels. I have help both seen and unseen, and some of my angels are each of you at home. I love my mission! I'm breathing in every second, every day, every experience. I've never felt so happy.

All My Love,

Sister Nay

SonKraan!!!

It is a craaaaazy week here in Thailand. Today is Monday, yes. But technically not our preparation day. They've switched it to Friday, but we were to email today so you didn't have a heart attack at home. :) So I've been teaching all day, and we just made it to the internet place, and I'm bookin' it outta here when I'm done to go teach a couple more lessons. It never ends! I don't have much to say about Son Kraan yet...I haven't experienced it. But it's apparently this big water fight for 5 days straight. It's a "water festival," where everyone wears Hawaiian shirts, carries buckets of water and squirt guns, and then throws flour (? or some kind of powder) at you, too. We've been strictly instructed to put anything of value in plastic ziplock bags, because there's no way around it--we'll be soaked for 5 days straight. Haha. Random people just throwing water everywhere..it's going to be crazy. It starts Wednesday, and goes until Sunday, I believe. I'll let you know how it goes this week!

Consequently, we thought we'd be out of people to teach. Everyone goes home for the festivities (usually Bangkok people aren't from here, they just come here to work). BUT, we're being SO blessed. Not only have many of our solid people stayed here, but we've made appointments with old potential families, had old investigators call us, and we've had random people come up to us on the street and as to meet with us. YUP. That's the work of the Lord. Never think "it's impossible" because He'll always show you that it isn't. IF we trust in Him. I love this work! I've never, ever, ever, ever, ever had so much joy, happiness, peace, fulfillment. This is the best thing I've ever done in my life.

Sounds like the blessing of little Maya Jessica went well! It's official--she has my name! :) I love her and I don't even know here yet. Same with that little Sam. Can't wait to meet them. Thank you parents or consistently reminding them who their favorite aunt really is. Sorry sibs. Manda, I got Sam's birth announcement, and he is ADORABLE. I love both pictures! Sister Sorge and I just stare at it frequently when we need a little boost. He's an angel!

This past week we ventured to make Massaman (sp?) Curry! IT WAS SO GOOD........I wish I could put it into words. And so easy. I'm doing my best to branch out and try to make a few things, I know everyone will be counting on me when I get back. Sister Sorge is helping talk some sense into me. I love Thai food.

Another funny thing--Thailand loves selling the most ridiculous things on their scooters. This includes INFLATABLE CHILDREN'S POOLS. I kid you not. I wish I had my camera. I about fell of my bike I was laughing so hard. I love Thailand. Instead, I'll attach a picture of a ridiculous clothes scooter. Where do they get these ideas? Attached is also a picture of delicious Thai "dessert"--Pork "hair", I like to call it. It's fluffy, but pork flavored, wrapped in a tortilla. Again, who thinks of these things?

Hardcastle Family--thank you for your package! You are so sweet to have sent it, and trust me, it was well received. However...it got stuck at the Elders house in transition, and I'm afraid from the battered outside (there was a little hold), a mouse found it's way in....to my pleasure, only the Rocky Road candy bar and the Good n Plentys took the hit. Everything else was definitely salvageable. Thank you so much!

Okay, CONFERENCE. Was incredible. AND we got to see it in English! That's the best part! I love conference, more than I ever thought possible. It's more than a taste of home in America, it's a reminder to why I'm doing what I'm doing in Thailand. It's a taste of our heavenly home. I particularly loved Elder Bednar's, Pres Uchtdorf's, and ELDER OAKS (in caps because he blew everyone else out of the water for me) talks. I can't wait to get the Liahona! Not to mention...Phii Bun and her husband, Phii Kiad (the one that's super strong Buddhist, but still does what his wife says...hehe, she totally wears the pants in that relationship) came to conference! Not only that...HE WAS IN A SHIRT AND TIE!! Ha, i talked to him after, and he said, stiffly, "This is the first time in my life I've ever worn a tie." I shook his hand and told him he looked as handsome as ever. :) It's interesting to see him open his heart more and more to this message. It's changing that family.

My topic person of this email will be Ma Oi. I love this woman. Her little brother is a member here in Bangkok, and Her daughter is a member in Utah, actually. She lives in Daybreak, and married to a Utahn there. She has tripliets, too! They were just here a few weeks ago visiting, and while here her son in law gave her to us as a referral. She lived in America for about 6 months, when her daughter had the triplets. She went to church with them a lot, associated with members, etc--even when to General Conference! However, she said, "It was a little hard to understand...." Haha, she doesn't speak English. But she says she remembers how she felt there. At first, we were a little worried, because it seemed like she was familiar with all the "fluff" of the church--the parties, the activities, etc. But as far as who a prophet is? Not a clue. So we're just teaching very simply, the basics of the gospel. We were worried that she was caught up with the unimportant things. But as we've taught her more, we've come to understand that she's familiar with the most important aspects of the gospel. She knows the feeling. Last week when I extended the baptismal commitment, she said, "Ya know...I think I'm ready. It's been a long time now that I'm familiar with it, and it's time. I've been waiting for someone to ask me when I was going to get baptized." Uh...huh? Ha, but that's kind of how teaching her has gone. She already obeys the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, and has even fasted before. The 8th of May it is!

Bottom line, I know this is the true gospel. I love this work! We're excited for this week, not just the SonKraan playing (we're playing on Friday with a member here), but for all the miracles we're seeing. Everyone said it would be "so hard" to get any appts this week--not so! Heavenly Father is readily blessing us as we're willing to work hard. Make it a great week!

All My Love,

Sister Nay

P.S. "Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions." --Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Is The World Ending?

I cannot express how many times we've been asked that this week by investigators, members, strangers, and the like. From the earthquake in Japan, to the earthquake in Burma, to the earthquake in New Zealand, from rainy weather to freezing weather to suuuuuper hot weather all in one week....lots of people are on edge about this "end of the world" business. They keep saying the world is going to split in half (not the members, thankfully). I just giggle to myself because I love these people so much--then bear solemn witness that it's time for them to repent so they don't have to worry about it!! Haha, just kidding....but seriously. We're working on it.

I'm still in Bangnaa!! Yes, that's right. I didn't move. That is wonderful news, because Sister Sorge and I started a really good thing here, and I want to see that it's gets finished. I feel like last transfer was a very "cleansing" transfer for the both of us. We learned so much, and still saw miracles with our investigators everyday. But now that we've learned how to use the Atonement, we're really applying that to our lessons with investigators. I've never taught so much about the Savior and His Atonement, nor with such conviction. I know that He is my personal Savior and Redeemer. I know that His sacrifice is just as related to me as it is each person I talk to every day. And nothing moves them to action more than a solemn, pure, genuine witness. I will be forever grateful to my last transfer with Sister Sorge, because that time has given me a stronger foundation of the Atonement than I could ever imagine! Now it's continuing onward and upward with all that we learned, and adding more to the puzzle.

Both of our Elders left, so 2 farangs (white people) came and "whitewashed." One of them is our District Leader, the other is a greenie fresh from the MTC. He's been here 5 days! The first day I saw him, I immediately felt ancient. Funny how just a few short months can make you feel like a grandma. We're excited to work with them, they're really awesome elders.

A couple of people have asked about packages...May I request to limit the sweets and maybe send some little powder packages instead? Or things like it? Like....real food. Maybe Mexican food packets, or cheese sauce packets, or something like that. Pudding packages, whatever! I do love candy..but I still have tons from my birthday/Christmas, amidst giving it away, as well. If I were smart I'd think you were trying to make me a tubby! THANK YOU for the treats. But just...limit them is great. Other things are good, to aside from food. Little things for investigators/members are great! Little distribution center gifts that are cheap are great. I dunno, use your imagination. That's that for packages. Thank you for thinking of me!

CONFERENCE!!!! I ddin't get to see anything yet......but heard it was incredible, as always. We're seeing it this weekend. They have to wait a week to translate it into Thai, but I might be lucky enough to see it in English (there's a Malaysian member here that speaks no Thai...). I can't wait. I've never ever ever loved conference so much as I do now. Same with the Liahona (Ensign for you English speakers). We get so excited to get it every month!

This past week I've learned a lot about prayer. We have an incredible investigator, Phii Nang. AH. I love her. She learned about Christianity before in her teenage years. But for one reason or another, she felt it was too difficult, so she gave up both Christianity and Buddhism. She's one who's very quick to anger, isn't afraid to do sin because she figures, "If I'm brave enough to do the sin, then I'm brave enough to recieve the consequences." She's a very...direct person. However, if only you could see the change that has taken place within her heart....and now is showing through her eyes and actions and words. She's a new woman. We're still working on the Sabbath Day issue, but as far as repentance goes? This woman knows the Savior is her Redeemer. Before she lets her mouth go these days, a small thought will enter her mind about the Savior, and she calms right down. She says it's the weirdest thing, but she knows that He is changing her from the inside out. THIS is what I'm talking about when I see the miracle in my own life, then begin to see it in others. SHE'S INCREDIBLE. The attached picture is of her. She gave us a papaya the other night that was the size of a watermelon. and a bunch of about 20 bananas. Just for the 2 of us. Lots of fruit these days...

My testimony has become stronger this past week, particularly regarding prayer. I LOVE PRAYER. There is saying a prayer, and then there's praying. I've never known the power that lies within our prayers. Heavenly Father will and does grant us our righteous desires! If nothing else, begin making your prayers more meaningful. I guarantee as your heart is open, you will see the hand of God in your life. I love discussing with Heavenly Father, and receiving answers to prayers. Today I had the opportunity to read through my mission journal a bit (not usually much time to re-read what I write...), and it was amazing to read and think to myself, "Oh, that prayer was answered" and "Oh He helped me in this way to resolve that concern." If nothing else, I've learned this one truth on my mission: Take a moment to step back, look at yourself, Heavenly Father, and your relationship....and you will see His loving arm guiding you in ways you never imagined.

Time and time and time again.

I LOVE THIS WORK!

All My Love,

Sister Nay

P.S. "Remember that this work is not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it." --President Thomas S. Monson

"Conversion basically represents the transformation from the 'natural man' to becoming the 'man of Christ'....Truly converted disciples, though still imperfect, will pursue the 'life of the soul' on any day, in any decade, amid any decadence and destruction." --Elder Neil A. Maxwell