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.
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