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