I don't really have much to say this morning (it's about 5:45 am here right now...I've been up for the past hour just sleepless). But, seeing as how we're getting on the plane in about 18 hours, I figured this is probably my last opportunity to send something out. If only I could really express what I feel!
My time here in Thailand has been nothing short of spectacular. Difficult, to say the least. But beyond any expectations I ever, ever, EVER could've had for a missionary experience. The Thai people have changed my life. Their example and influence have led me to make changes in my heart that I'm afraid I never would've made otherwise (or at least would have taken much longer to correct). The past week and a half, we've had opportunities to visit old friends, members, and investigators. As I've talked with and reconnected with some of these people, I cannot help but feel overcome with gratitude! They have helped set a standard of living the gospel that I'm going to strive for the rest of my life. Even this past week I've seen the adversary creeping in, tempting with little things (reading, praying, etc). It will certainly be a whole new world at home, but I at least have the memories of this experience that will motivate me to overcome those temptations. I have to no matter what. I am determined! But it is breaking my heart to leave these people.
That being said, I cannot adequately express how excited I am to see all of you. So I won't even try. In just a short amount of time, we will all be able to witness it for ourselves!
Bottom line? I'm ready. I feel ready to go. It's taken some time to get to this point, I was dragging my heels for a while. But just yesterday and today, I'm there. I'm ready to walk on that plane and take home everything that I've learned, experienced, changed, etc, and applying the livin' daylights out of my mission for the rest of my life. This is experience is a goldmine for life lessons, and I'll be searching it forever. Thank you, family. Thank you for your support. For your love. For your advice. For your example. Each and every one of your have impacted my mission experience!
I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet, chosen to restore the fullness of God's perfect plan for us to return home. I know that we have every single thing we will ever need in order to live together as eternal families. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Through it's pages, we can find the way to true happiness in this life, and the life to come. I'm grateful I have a book that can be my best friend and guide throughout my life. What a wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father! I love pouring over its pages, picking out individually packaged life lessons from Heavenly Father, according to what I need that very day. I know that we will be together forever when we choose to follow Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ, we never had an option in the first place! His atoning sacrifice gave us that option, and now we can choose. I plead with every single one of you--CHOOSE CHRIST! It is the only way. HE is the only way. We can go forward with faith and confidence in our step because we know who we are and why we're here. I love the gospel. I love my family. I love my life.
Until we meet again....Make it a great Sabbath!
All My Love,
Sister Nay
And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness. --Alma 38:9
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
I'm Dreaming!
I need to apologize that I didn't get an email off yesterday, on my regular email day! It was my last day in Chiang Mai, so things got a little hectic. Long story short--here I am, finally writing this email, and I am so glad to do it.
WELL--this past week has been crazy! Last Thursday night, I met up with Dad and Mary. I initially came up to Chiang Mai to be with Sister Sorge, but just 3 days after I got there, Sister King and Sister Yinn followed me up there (Sister King is my greenie) because of the flooding in Bangkok. They evacuated the area and came to work with us! That was a blast. Who gets to serve in their greenie area with their greenie? Not too many people. :) We had fun. We separated Thursday night, and I had a couple members take me over to meet Dad and Mary at the hotel. Our reunion was so joyful--just a prepping for what's to come NEXT WEEK! I can't wait to see you all.
Since we met up, it's been a nonstop visiting, sightseeing, shopping, and on the go fun. It was a whirlwind to see my old area and all the old members and investigators. But I loved it. It was amazing to stand in front of that congregation last Sunday and see the numbers of the branch literally double since I was here last year. It's amazing! I felt grateful to be a part of that branch and be able to witness the growth. It was humbling, to say the least. The first picture I attached is of a dinner we were invited to at the District President's house that evening (Sunday). His family is one of the most humble and selfless families I've ever known...they have changed my life. Not much English (sorry Dad and Mary, they've been good sports!), but absolutely priceless to be able to talk with them. Monday we got up early and saw the sunrise, which was beautiful. I even got to go a cooking class! I've spent the past 18 months eating Thai food, but this class gave me a chance to actually make it (this is the 2nd picture I've attached)! That night we had the going away part a couple of members put together for me, that ended up just getting way out of hand. The 3rd picture I've attached is me with the sign they made--this is just to show you how much they put into it. I was blown away! It was full of singing, dancing, model walking, good food, laughs, tears, and a whole bunch more. It turned into a talent show more than anything. Ha. It was so Thai. I loved it. They finished it off with the classic, "God Be WIth You 'Til We Meet Again," (the 4th picture), and I've never heard a more beautiful version. Adorable. This morning? Got up, did a couple errands, then headed to the airport. Now we are currently in Southern Thailand (Phuket) on a beautiful beach.
This past week I've felt rather removed from everything. I was happy being in an area that I loved so much. In fact, the only time I cried the whole time I was there was when I talked to Mom--and that's because I missed her so much! The whole "going home" hadn't really sunk in. I felt like I was going to send Dad and Mary to the airport, tell them "thanks for visiting" and send them on their way, then I'd just get back to work. Until....today. We got on the airplane, and it hit a little. Then we got to Phuket, in a totally unfamiliar place, with the ocean around, lots of white people, in a new place...It sunk in a little deeper. I'm leaving Thailand. That's when I started feeling so much that I wasn't sure how to get it out, other than cry. I thought I had everything pretty under control, until today. I'm grateful for a little time to get my feet under me and try to figure out what I'm feeling. That's what the next couple of days are intended to be.
For now? I still love being a missionary. I stick my name tag on wherever I go. :) I love you all, family. I can't wait to see you. We're still waiting to see what will happen with the floods and things in Bangkok--we'll spend some time tomorrow figuring that out, and I'll let you know. But for now? Still plan on the 9th! This is the work of the Lord. I know that when I put Him first, even in the little details, things always work out. It is the beginning of trying to figure out how to apply what I've learned the past 18 months. Sheesh. Here goes! Make it a beautifully happy week--because next week WE WILL BE TOGETHER!!!!!
All My Love,
Sister Nay
WELL--this past week has been crazy! Last Thursday night, I met up with Dad and Mary. I initially came up to Chiang Mai to be with Sister Sorge, but just 3 days after I got there, Sister King and Sister Yinn followed me up there (Sister King is my greenie) because of the flooding in Bangkok. They evacuated the area and came to work with us! That was a blast. Who gets to serve in their greenie area with their greenie? Not too many people. :) We had fun. We separated Thursday night, and I had a couple members take me over to meet Dad and Mary at the hotel. Our reunion was so joyful--just a prepping for what's to come NEXT WEEK! I can't wait to see you all.
Since we met up, it's been a nonstop visiting, sightseeing, shopping, and on the go fun. It was a whirlwind to see my old area and all the old members and investigators. But I loved it. It was amazing to stand in front of that congregation last Sunday and see the numbers of the branch literally double since I was here last year. It's amazing! I felt grateful to be a part of that branch and be able to witness the growth. It was humbling, to say the least. The first picture I attached is of a dinner we were invited to at the District President's house that evening (Sunday). His family is one of the most humble and selfless families I've ever known...they have changed my life. Not much English (sorry Dad and Mary, they've been good sports!), but absolutely priceless to be able to talk with them. Monday we got up early and saw the sunrise, which was beautiful. I even got to go a cooking class! I've spent the past 18 months eating Thai food, but this class gave me a chance to actually make it (this is the 2nd picture I've attached)! That night we had the going away part a couple of members put together for me, that ended up just getting way out of hand. The 3rd picture I've attached is me with the sign they made--this is just to show you how much they put into it. I was blown away! It was full of singing, dancing, model walking, good food, laughs, tears, and a whole bunch more. It turned into a talent show more than anything. Ha. It was so Thai. I loved it. They finished it off with the classic, "God Be WIth You 'Til We Meet Again," (the 4th picture), and I've never heard a more beautiful version. Adorable. This morning? Got up, did a couple errands, then headed to the airport. Now we are currently in Southern Thailand (Phuket) on a beautiful beach.
This past week I've felt rather removed from everything. I was happy being in an area that I loved so much. In fact, the only time I cried the whole time I was there was when I talked to Mom--and that's because I missed her so much! The whole "going home" hadn't really sunk in. I felt like I was going to send Dad and Mary to the airport, tell them "thanks for visiting" and send them on their way, then I'd just get back to work. Until....today. We got on the airplane, and it hit a little. Then we got to Phuket, in a totally unfamiliar place, with the ocean around, lots of white people, in a new place...It sunk in a little deeper. I'm leaving Thailand. That's when I started feeling so much that I wasn't sure how to get it out, other than cry. I thought I had everything pretty under control, until today. I'm grateful for a little time to get my feet under me and try to figure out what I'm feeling. That's what the next couple of days are intended to be.
For now? I still love being a missionary. I stick my name tag on wherever I go. :) I love you all, family. I can't wait to see you. We're still waiting to see what will happen with the floods and things in Bangkok--we'll spend some time tomorrow figuring that out, and I'll let you know. But for now? Still plan on the 9th! This is the work of the Lord. I know that when I put Him first, even in the little details, things always work out. It is the beginning of trying to figure out how to apply what I've learned the past 18 months. Sheesh. Here goes! Make it a beautifully happy week--because next week WE WILL BE TOGETHER!!!!!
All My Love,
Sister Nay
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