What. A. Week.

I wish I could describe this week in full detail. Let's just start with this:

1) One of our investigator families are really shaky right now. They've cancelled all our appts the past week, saying they're "really busy." The dad wasn't super sold in the first place, but the mom had a date! We're nervous they're slipping...

2) Another one of our daters called me this week with some questions about The Law of Consecration, plural marriage, a Heavenly Mother, Mountain Meadow Massacre, etc., that he read online. I did my best to bear my testimony to him and share what scriptures I could. The last thing I wanted was any sort of Bible bash. But he's currently baptist and has a stellar knowledge of the Bible. I explained to him that I didn't know everything, but what I didn't know I tried to bridge the gap with my faith. I trusted in Heavenly Father and His choice of prophets. Above all else? I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, and I knew because when I prayed, I felt the answer come from God through my feelings. In the end, he asked me to "humble myself," and read the highest revelation we have from God on earth--the Bible. I am prideful for trusting in feelings I receive from Heavenly Father, I guess....I just hung up the phone after a 20 minute discussion and just started to cry. We've prayed a lot together, and tried to call him back, but he's pretty set on his decision. And yes, this is the miracle guy I mentioned last week, that had a date? We only met him twice! But I felt like it was a dagger to the heart.

3) Our bikes got stolen. Yup. They were locked "safely" in the gates of the church. We went to an appt, and ended up not having time to go back to get them, So we took a taxi home. They picked up the 2 bikes together and somehow managed to lug them over the super tall gates around the church. That was a fun surprise to come to Saturday morning....we'll be borrowing from the elders for now, and then possibly from a couple missionaries that are close to finishing their missions. It'll work out.

I've learned that Heavenly Father really does answer prayers. Last week I prayed for the ability to be able to laugh in difficult situations. Heavenly Father certainly provided the opportunity to pracitce!! It was a rough week.

BUT I NEED YOU TO KNOW THERE ARE ALWAYS MIRACLES TO BE FOUND AMIDST THE TRIALS. My old investigator, Phii Nang, from Bangnaa is incredible. Last week we went to renew our visas, and I had the chance to talk to an Elder from the area. He told me how she had returned from her little town (remember--where she was converting the whole little town, teaching families and prayer, and having the missionaries come visit??) and had talked with her husband. I guess he got mad at her for something, and usually she'd just shoot some comment back. But that time, she didn't. It caught his attention, and he noticed she was different. She said, "Come to church, and you'll see why I've changed. I promise you if you come to church, you will recieve an answer to your questions." SHE WAS PROMISING HIM BLESSINGS!!!! He came to church. In the middle of the investigator class, he leaned over to her and whispered, "Can I get baptized today?" The sister went over that night and extended a baptismal commitment. They're scheduled to get baptized the 17th of July--HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!! This is the same husband that wanted nothing to do with religion, christianity, or missionaries 3 months ago when I was there. I called her that same day and just cried on the phone. I've never felt so....ah. That woman is why I'm here. I've never seen someone so insecure, so unsure, so scared to take a step in following the Savior. She was so scared to mess up. And now? She doesn't know everything, but she is living what she knows. She knows that she cannot do it on her own. She knows that there is a source higher than her that can help her overcome her weakness, that she desperately needs. And from there? Her love and excitement just radiate from her face. It's so easy to see! People can see the change in her, and it's saving lives! Words cannot express my excitement for that family.

As you may have presumed, Sister Rochana did not move. YAY. I am so grateful to have her. We're just...good friends. It's easy to be with her, to work with her. I'm learning that no matter the differences, if you have the same desires, then you will have unity. I could not be more different from Sister Rochana. But we love these people, we love this work, and we love the Lord. And we're seeing success. We still met lots of new people last week, and hopefully will see them start to progress this next week and get some new daters.

Matty, Happy Birthday TODAY!! I love you! And Dan Happy Birthday on the 30th! I hope you both have wonderful days. I'm sorry if I've missed anyone in the past year--it's not intentional. But I love you and think of you often. AND LIZARD----A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be there JUST IN TIME! I am so glad you have your "built in timer" for me to come home. Just don't pop before then, deal?

Family, I love the gospel. It's become my life lately. I feel like I don't have room to think of anything else, other than the work. The weeks are flying, and miracles keep coming. I know that we recieve the help we need, when we need it. But if you feel alone, you never abandon the Lord. I realized that it was easier for me to follow/trust in Him amidst all the trials, because I had already decided to do so! He is the only way. Any other way is nuts. I love you all, make it a HAPPY and wonderful week!

All My Love,

Sister Nay

Happy Father's Day!

I'm sorry I didn't say anything last week, the Thai Father's Day is in December. And...there isn't much notice for American Holidays around these parts--particularly when you're living with a khonthai who's oblivious to such things. That aside--HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU AMAZING FATHERS--but one in particular, my amazing dad! I love you so much, Dad. Thank you for your sweet example. You're my angel father!

Do miracles ever cease as a missionary? I do not think they do. We saw Bay and her 2 kids baptized on Saturday! Today I forgot my cord, so no pictures...I'll send them next week. It was a bit of a hassle getting them in the water, though, I'll be honest. The 10 year old little boy came first (go figure) and was on time. 5:00 pm. 5:45 pm rolled around (the baptism was to start at 6:00 pm Saturday night) and no sign of Bay and Bin...mom and daughter. We called several times, and she kept saying she's "on her way." FINALLY, 6:00 pm the mom made it--no daughter! They came separate! So we rushed her in to change her clothes. Finally, 6:10 pm rolled around, and the 15 year old daughter, Bin, came running through the gates of the church. She got held up at some school activity, apparently. BUT THEY MADE IT. We got her changed, snapped a quick picture, and got it started. Bay's hair is a bit foofy, so she had to be baptized 3 times. After the 2nd time, her daughter turned to me and said, "Mom's gonna be really clean!" Ha. They bore beautful testimonies, as well. This family...ah. I love them. They don't understand every little concept, and they don't do it all perfectly. But who does? They understand the gospel. They understand the Atonement, particularly Bay, who is teaching her kids. I love this family.

Another miracle. We had a guy practically walk into the church and ask us to be baptized. I'm not kidding. He learned with the Elder's before, on 2 separate occasions, but both times he came close to baptism, he felt he couldn't do it. He's studied practically every Christian religion, too, which makes teaching him fun. I'm used to teaching about who Heavenly Father is, not expanding on some obscure, incorrect translation in the Bible. It's been a change. But he's humble, and really eager to learn. July 9th! The soonest he can--he has to come to church 3-4 times before. Yesterday I taught him the Plan of Salvation with a member (we switched companions with members), and I slipped the Word of Wisdom in to make sure we didn't have problems. ALL SYSTEMS GO. He said, "I don't have problems with any of those things, except I drink coffee." He paused. "But, now that I think of it, I haven't had coffee for a week now. Hmm. I'm not really sure why, I've been having bad head aches because of it. But I just haven't felt like drinking it." He normally drinks it every day! "Well," I said, "I'm going to ask you to continue this pattern and never drink coffee again, so you can recieve all the blessings Heavenly Father has in store for you. Will you do it?" "Sure, I've already started!" This guy...........holy smokes. He's going to be an awesome father/leader in the church. I asked him what was most important in life--he answered, "Salvation." "And if you knew where to find salvation, what would that mean for you? What would you do?" "I'd accept it. Then I'd share it with my family....hmm....and if it were possible, with all of Thailand. And beyond that? I would want the whole world to know!" We've known each other a total of 6 days and he's on fire. He wants to be baptized on Saturday so that he can invite his Islamic father, Buddhist mother/sisters, to see him be baptized into the true Church of Jesus Christ. He's a pleasure to teach!

This is it--the week of transfers! I have no idea what's going to happen this week, if my companion will go or stay. We'll see! We had a wonderful meeting last week with President Smith about the Book of Mormon. I love that book. I am setting goals to use it more, to be more familiar with it, and to really really apply it. If you have any sort of "slump" or problem in your life, go to this #1 fixer--how's you reading going? I'm not going to be preachy on the subject, because missionaries have time carved out of everyday for study. I know it's busy at home. But I pray that you're finding time every single day (not all day), consistently, to read from the truest book of any book on earth. I LOVE THAT BOOK. It has every answer, every solution to any problem. I love this gospel. My testimony grows a little deeper in gospel sod every single week. There is no other way!

Make it a great week! I love you all!!

All My Love,

Sister Nay

Stake Conference in Bangkok

Pictures: 1) I went on switchoffs this week to a neighboring area in Bangkok with a greenie--Sister Yinn from Stockton, CA. She's amazing. Half Cambodian, half Thai, but knew no Thai before coming (she get's really funny looks, haha). She's so easygoing and fun. It was a fun couple of days with her last week.

2) On that adventure, we went and saw a newly baptized member. She gave me one of the most incredible hats I've EVER seen in my life. This picture says it all. They wear these hats to keep the sun from hitting their face. I couldn't control my laughter.

3) Brother Sakha has returned to Thailand! Matt and Jac, he talked about you when you went to see him at the restaurant. He's here forever, he says. :) It was so good to see a familiar face. He was a teacher at the MTC when I was there, for those of you who don't remember. I LOVE THIS MAN.

4) This is a picture of all the sisters in Bangkok right now, with Sister Smith. We went to a fancy 5 star hotel in downtown Bangkok for Stake Conference yesterday!

This week has been great....lots going on. I want to start by telling you about an amazing family we were undoubtedly led to. Lots of times you hear as missionaries that we're being led by the Spirit, and I've never doubted it. But many times you don't see the leading when you're actually in the experience, The understanding usually comes afterward. But that was not the case with this family. I knew I was being led throughout the experience. When we had our training with Sister Smith, I recieved inspiration about some of our formers. We had already pulled some from the old area books, but we went home that day and found what missionaries were still in the mission. We called one of the elders, and as we were talking I thought of a family Sister Rochana had talked to me about a couple days before. I handed the phone to her, and told her to ask him about the family. She found out the info and we went to see them that day. Later we found out the Elders in our area had just "shelved" this family a couple weeks before. They weren't responding to their phonecalls, they missed appts, etc. We had no idea they were teaching them. So, we went and visited them, and the mom was really open to us. After just 2 lessons, she had a date, and she expressed concern to get her husband to learn (Both of them had learned before, but since that one elder had moved, they hadn't really done much). She said she wanted to be baptized more than antying, but didn't want her family to take different paths. I cannot describe the power in both of these lessons! It was overwhleming, and all involved couldn't deny it afterwards. She was determined. At her reques made an appt to go back and visit her husband last night and watch the Restoration DVD. They've learned everything already, and gone to church a bunch of times. Before it was just a matter of getting them legally married, but they've accepted to do that now. I think it's just a matter of whether or not Joseph saw God the Father and Jesus Christ or not, so that's what we're working on.......it's really miraculous. I know we were led to this family. I cannot deny it. The elders swear we are "angels" for this family. The mom has come to church since we've visited them. Her name is A, and her husband's name is Jack. They have chubby little 8 year old boy named Boy (he's hilarious. Pray for them, please! Particularly for Jack to recieve his answer about Joseph Smith.

This past week I had a monumental experience. My "death papers" came. Meaning....they're requesting final destination info/home ward info....my group of sisters is upset! I can't believe it's here. I remember Sister Young getting those papers, and it's unfathomable that I'm in the same spot. I'm in denial. But I know this is the "best" part of my mission. I know that it's hard, but it's worth it. I know that this is the restored gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know that Heavely Father has prepared a plan for all of His children to return home to Him. All that is required is our meek obedience to His commandments. I know that there are more blessings than we comprehend when we follow the Savior. I know that joy in this life is what Heavenly Father wants more for us, and it is attainable through obedience to His plan. I love the simplicity of the gospel.

How is little Blake doing? I love you, sweetheart! I'm praying for you and hope you're doing better. And I heard Jen's wedding was a success! I am so happy for your family and pray you're all well. Other than that, sounds like all is well at home. You're letters and emails are inspiring, thank you for writing! I love you.

Back to the grind--we're seeing miracles here. We have the baptism of P Bay and her 2 kids this weekend. I'll send pictures next week! Keep on keepin' on, everyone. I love you. This is the work of the Lord! Make it a great week!

Sister Nay

"The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone....Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives." --President Monson

Miracles Keep Flowing.

So remember Phii Nang from Bangnaa? The one that struggled accepting that she didn't need to be perfect, but began to have more and more faith? The 2 neighbors we taught (Boon and Nang)? WELL, she moved back to her teeny little neighborhood for a couple months in Royette--the literal boonies of Thailand. It's this teeny town that's far from the city. She always joked about how when she went home, she'd talk to her neighbors and convert the whole town, and they'd open their own branch there. She wasn't joking, family. She' literally sharing this message with everyone. So far, she's introduced several kids/teenagers, 2 families, and another one is in progress. One of the families plants/harvests rice for a living. Something happened to their crop, and it wasn't producing. When she heard, she simply told them, "I'm sorry that happened, I'll pray for you." She did, and the next week? RICE CAME. They were astonished! They came and found her, and demanded to know how to pray. She is truly a disciple of Christ. She's returning to Bangnaa next month, and will hopefully be baptized then. I gratefully had the opporutnity to talk to her for a bit last week. She's on fire and converting her whole town! The missionaries just make a far trip 1 or 2 times a week to teach everyone. Amazing.

We had an interesting opportunity on Saturday night. 2 of the 7 first missionaries in Thailand came back to visit, and held a fireside here in Bangkok! We took one of our investigators who is scheduled to be baptized the 18th of this month, with her 2 kids (see the attached picture--the 2 farangs are the old missionaries, then me, my investigator, my cute companion, and the wife of one of the missionaries. They used to be mission president/wife in Thailand like 17 years ago). It was crazy to hear them speak Thai, and be able to talk with them. The one standing next to me, Alan Height (sp?), is from Bountiful! Small world, huh? It was a fun activity.

We had interviews with President and Sister Smith last week. It was powerful. I needed to learn a few things with them--most of which wasn't from anything they actually said, but the Spirit that was present was undeniable. I learned the importance of setting specific goals, and going about them prayerfully. Not that I didn't know this before...we all know how the simple lessons of the gospel often come as "new" lessons time and again throughout our lives. This was one of those times. But my companion and I decided to take this and put it to use. We set a goal yesterday to enter a certain amount homes, in certain neighborhoods, and receive a certain amount of new investigators. Anytime we went somewhere new, we prayed. We prayed in our hearts, we prayed together, we prayed constantly. Family, our plans did not go though the way we thought they would. But we tried our best to follow it, and went with the flow if things changed. As we were prayerful, and tried to follow our plan, the Lord guided our steps. We received the number of new investigators we anticipated, and entered the number of homes we planned! We got 8 new investigators yesterday, 2 of them being referral we'd recieved weeks ago but hadn't had the opportunity to contact. I know for many of you reading this, it doesn't seem like any huge deal. But for Sister Rochana and myself, we were astonished. We cannot deny that Heavenly Father led our steps to those homes, to those people.

That being said, I am learning how easy this time actually is. As a very wise friend wrote to me recently, I am learning to rely on a poower that is greater than me. Greater than my brain, talents, or ego. He is in charge of the work in Saphaansung! I'm simply the time manager, and I'm learning to trust Him to help me with that. If something falls through? Don't panic. It just means we go to our back up plans, and trust Heavenly Father to guide our steps to who is prepared. It's the lack of plan that hurts more than anything. I love the life lessons I'm learning.

One of the lessons was powerful. It was with a preschool teacher. It all just felt so natural, from the moment we met her. I'm discovering that is one of the key ways I know I'm feeling the spirit--how do I feel? Am I forcing things, or is it natural? Talking to this woman was all natural. We just made our way over to her bench in her front yard, we chatted naturally. I naturally opened the hymnbook to "I am a Child of God," and we naturally sang for her. She naturally accepted. And we naturally prayed, taught, and set up a return appt with her husband and daughter this week. NATURAL. Doing this in any typical, everyday situation sounds super strange, right? Who just walks in the front gate of a total stranger and sings a song about some higher power they know nothing about? That's WEIRD. But I know it was right because it felt NATURAL. Trust in those feelings when they come. I testify it is the Spirit of God leading your path.

I know this is the work of God! I know that each of you has a specific role in His plan. if you don't know what it is, ask Him. I love my mission right now in life. Do you? If you're not sure, ASK! He is our loving Father in Heaven who is aware of each of His children. He will lead and guide your specific path. I love this work. I love the Book of Mormon. Every word, sentence, verse, and chapter is true. Make it a great week!

All My Love,

Sister Naegle

"There is one responsibility that no one can evade. That is the effect of one's personal influence." David O. McKay

 

Our kitchen at the apartment.

Sister Rochana's first ice cream cone. EVER.