Where am I?

Welcome to Saphaansung. The land of flooded streets, bucket showers, eating ant-infested cereal, thai companions, ramen with a cracked egg in it and microwaved for breakfast.

Yes, that's right! I've moved. I kind of expected it, as mentioned in Skyping last week. So yes, the rainy season has arrived. Which means FLOODS! There's an attached picture of me in the flood, right outside our front door. Gratefully it didn't come inside! We woke up one morning and that was there to greet us. My first day in Saphaansung. And bucket showers? The water shower is zero here...so I've resorted to being a Thai and using a small bucket in a big bucket, and just dumping it over my head. Easier, faster, and great water pressure. But freezing. And yes! Ants are capable of entering in ziplock bags! Did you ever think it possible? That was a high protein breakfast. Now I've resorted to putting it in the refrigerator. Extra cold cereal. :) And my ADORABLE Thai companion that is trying to get me hooked on ramen for breakfast! Thais don't eat normal....but I'm learning that I've forgotten what's "normal" and what's not anymore. I don't recall!

Despite all these fun adventures in just a short amount of time, I'm loving my time here. I just got here, but I've already fallen in love with the people, members, investigators, and my companion. My companion's name is Sister Rochana, she's from Thailand (if you couldn't tell). She's older, she'll be turning 29 this year. I can't describe how incredible she is. I've been out longer, but she has this...maturity that I haven't seen in other missionaries before. She's quite, but solid, and very level headed. I'm going to love working with her. She's pretty much opposite my other Thai companion, Sister Alisa. I'm getting lots of variety! I love her!

Sapaansung translates literally to, "tall bridge." I now know why they call it that. There are tall bridges everywhere. They have little rivers going all over the city, and thus, bridges everywhere. But what I'm trying to figure out is why they need to be so stinking tall! It makes for fun bike rides...I am still serving in Bangkok, but it's more country than Bangnaa was. That was pretty high class. This is just...ha. I love it. It's city, but country at the same time.

What's amazed me so far? I'm not comparing the way I was when I went to Bangnaa. It was just my second area when I went there, and I didn't now what else to compare it to other than Chiang Mai (which I loved!). I feel like I spent to much time comparing my first few days there. I was trying to love it, but it was just...different. And hard, so I thought. I will tell you this. When I got the call to leave last week, I was sad, but it didn't hit fully. I spent that last day packing my stuff together, and seeing some of my particularly close investigators and members. My last appt of the day was Phii Koi, the one that was baptized back in February with the little 1 year old girl, remember? She made this amazing meal, we talked and laughed, just trying to put off the time and not think about it. I said goodbye, with tears streaming down her cheeks. By the time I made it to my bike, I couldn't hold back the tears. My last bike ride home in Bangnaa, and the tears just flowed. They flowed til we got home, all the way through planning, and finishing packing. Haha. Sister Sorge just laughed. It was ridiculous!

But the miracle? I learned that Heavenly Father was showing me just how much He had helped me love these people. It wasn't just Phii Koi, or my investigators in Bangnaa. It was Thailand. I have been wanting to feel so a part of them, and that I've given them my all. I worked for it, I prayed for it, I fasted for it. And that night? Heavenly Father let me feel that love. It wasn't tears of sadness, it was tears of love! I cannot describe it, other than that love had no way out of my heart and body, other than through tears. I felt so much that night. It was complete. A complete love.

I just want you to know that I have given away all my expectations of missionary work. I've let go of the imaginary expectations that I felt others had for me, or that I set for myself. I've let it go, and I'm just working. It feels so good. I really feel at home in this branch in Saphaansung, just after one Sunday. I don't know if this is where I'll finish my mission or not. But I'm not looking that far ahead. I'm just here, working with Sister Rochana, loving the livin' daylights out of these people. I love my life.

Thank you for the prayers! For the fasting! For the letters! For the encouragement! I know that this is the true gospel. I know that Jesus is the living Christ. I know that we are unable to return to Heaven without Him. I know that everything, everything that Heavenly Father has prepared for us is tilted in our favor. Just turn to Him! Ask Him! Seek Him! Keep on keepin' on, family. This is the work of the Lord, and it's all true. Make it a fantastic week.

All My Love,

Sister Nay

P.S. Let me explain pictures....

1) Me with Phii Koi's little girl, and Nang's 2 kids (Nang is one of my investigators in Bangnaa, who came leaps and bounds in understanding the Atonement/Savior. I love that family).

2) My district in Bangnaa! They are great elders, and I loved my cute companion, Sister Sorge!

3) Me and cute Sister Smith, President's wife. This woman has taught me more about love than anyone, outside of the women in my family. Her heart just swallows people in love. She makes everything happy.

4) Me and Phii Boon, and her cute daughter. They'll be baptized in Bangnaa shortly! Aren't they beautiful?

5) This was the baptism we just had here in Saphaansung yesterday! The older sister of a boy that was baptized just 3-4 weeks ago. These members are amazing here.

6) This was just outside our front door! We woke up one morning and it was like this. We didn't even hear the rain fall in the middle of the night. Haha. Welcome, rainy season! The hot season is finally gone!! Though it's still pretty hot...

7) Me and my cute companion! I love her! Sister Rochana is an amazing example, and we're going to work well together. We're already seeing miracles.

8) These are naturally colored chicks. Have you ever seen such a thing? Dad and Mary, adopt these into the family of chickens in the backyard and spice things up a bit!