Thailand/Lampang week 33 Love truly does have so much power. Even though I'm not a perfect teacher, or exactly perfect at Thai, that's not the important part. When you love truly love God's children, they can feel it.

Hey Fam! 

Well it was Lantern Festival week! It was two nights in a row, Wednesday and Thursday. There was of course so many people so we went inviting. I'm always so amazed of how much I've gotten over my fear of talking to people. I have to talk to people all day so shyness is not really a thing for a missionary. It's a trait that I've developed on my mission that I'm really grateful for! So we did that Wednesday and Thursday down by the river where people were lighting lanterns and watching fireworks. People really weren't listening. Of course because the thing they were doing was for a Buddhist celebration, they go there to do Buddhist stuff! We felt like it was kind of pointless at one point but decided to not give up. Even if no one is listening, we do it for Heavenly Father to show Him that we love Him and that we're willing to work! 

The Lantern Festival

You put these things in the river but before you say 

something that you're sorry about and this is kind 

of their way for repenting for the year.

This is me and Sister Parker putting it in the river. 

Too bad it died as soon as we put it in the water.

 It was obviously our first time!

Sister C-Game took us out to go invite.

 There was so many people, it was a missionary's Heaven!

Clock Tower Intersection, where the party was at!

 

The elders and Brother Santi came and joined 

up with us in inviting. It was a party!

Thursday, that was a fun day! I was actually really sad that day. Not because it was Thanksgiving and I wanted to be home but because I felt like no one was listening and no one had time to meet with us that day. It was so frustrating for me because I felt like we een working so hard but nothing was coming from it. We invited right before we went and ate pizza at Long Jim's with the elders, and I was almost in tears but trying to keep strong for my comp. I was frustrated and Heavenly Father definitely knew I was frustrated. But then I told Heavenly Father that I don't understand but that's ok and I'd take anything that was inflicted upon us with patience. I felt better after that. It was almost a calming feeling of Heavenly Father telling me that I didn't need to worry and that I wasn't alone. I know I'm not alone! Our Thanksgiving pizza was delish! We each just got a pizza to ourselves, it was Thanksgiving so I thought what the heck! Eat a whole pizza! After that we met up with some more members and went inviting! And then at 7:30, we lit some lanterns. I felt like I was in Tangled :) It turned out to be a great Thanksgiving day. I have so much to be grateful for.  

 

 Thanksgiving Dinner

Well, we had some miracles happen this last weekend! We met with one of our old investigators, Sister Pen and she said she still wants to get baptized. So her along with our investigator, Brother Big took a date for the 13th to get baptized! And then another amazing thing happened yesterday. None of our investigators were able to go to church. I prayed so hard that someone would just walk in on their own to church. And what do you know! Two miracles came! Two sisters walked in and went and sat in the front. They sat there all through sacrament and afterwards I went and talked to them. They said that they had just seen the church before and had always wanted to go to church. So they came that day! Their names are Nat (19) and Nang (14), and they are so golden. The branch president went and talked to them afterwards too and they asked him how they could become members. He called me over and asked me the same question. I turned to them and said, "you get baptized!" We got to teach them afterwards and they said they wanted to pray about getting baptized first and they would let us know by Tuesday what their answer was. I think they really just loved the spirit they felt at the church and how welcome everyone made them feel. Everyone just went right up to them and talked to them and made them feel apart of the branch. I thought it was so special. They didn't want to leave, they hung out at the church for the rest of the day. I was happy that they were happy! I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for leading them to the church and that we had the opportunity to teach them. He heard our prayers! I'm so glad that I was patient. Everything really does turn out for our good in the end. 

This last week was amazing! I learned so many lessons and one of the biggest ones I've learned about throughout my mission that charity truly never fails. I never really understood charity, always thought it had to do just with service. But I've realized it's so much more. It's the Christ-like love you share towards others. It's when we think of other's needs above our own. It's when we decide to turn "outward when the natural man would turn inward". I'm going to sound like a cheesy Disney movie, but love truly does have so much power. Even though I'm not a perfect teacher, or exactly perfect at Thai, that's not the important part. When you love truly love God's children, they can feel it. I always thought that when someone fought with me that I needed to fight back. But I've come to realize that is not what I should do. That's not what my Savior would do. No matter what others do or say to us, the power does not come from our anger or showing that we are greater. Charity and our love has greater power, to change others hearts as well as our own. I'm so grateful for this realization. I love these people here. I actually just love people in general. I've never been a "people person" but I now know that people are good. They have families, they have worries, things they love, things they're afraid of. They're a person just like me. They're one of God's children. I love my Heavenly Father and I love my brothers and sisters! And I'm grateful that I get to share the most important message in the world with my brothers and sisters in Thailand! 

Heavenly Father loves us. That is something that I hope none of us forget. That has given me the power to keep going when I've wanted to quit. His love is our strength. 

Love you all so much! Hope you all have a great week! :)

ด้วยความรัก

ซ. คาร์ริโย

Alma 5: 26

Moroni 7: 45, 47

Sister C-Game, my bud!

Sister Noy taking us to one of our investigators house.

Teaching Sister Wadsana and her husband at their house!

I found mint chocolate chip ice cream at Swenson's!

 (they have it out for Christmas) I about died, bought

 some right then and there. It was so good!

Visited an LA yesterday at her house with the elders. 

She was so nice!

Thailand/Lampang -Week 32 I've realized how missionary work really isn't a sacrifice because you get twice the blessings of the things you give. I have a been so blessed to be a missionary!

Hey Family! 

It was a struggly week, but it was a good one. I feel  like there were a lot of things that I learned and realized that I needed to change. Just as President Senior used to say, if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. So true! But yeah, we had a lot of appointments that didn't go through and some things that didn't work out the way we wanted them to, some set backs. But it's a new week and we're ready to start again! We did meet with one new guy though, Brother Big. We got to teach him twice. He said he's always been really curious about Christ and wanted to learn more about it. He's a quiet guy though, doesn't say too much! I feel like that's how most of my investigators have been besides Sister Miaw and Brother Santi, they always have lots to say haha! He's really great though, we're going to keep on working with him! Also we're still teaching Brother Joe. He finally quit drinking coffee, haha he said he's drinking cocoa yens instead. I feel like that's a lot more delicious anyways! I realized how much I really like teaching. I feel so much better as a missionary and everything after we've shared the gospel with someone. It just makes the entire day! We need some more investigators. I'm trying as much as I can to be ready for these people to teach. I think Heavenly Father has us go through certain experiences and has us study particular things so we can be ready for these people that are prepared when we meet them. 

Training has been awesome! Sister Parker has been doing really well, I've been super impressed with her courage to speak even if she doesn't know how to say what she wants. And everyone loves it, people just love greenies. Sister Jo used to tell me that greenies, and even a little after training, have a special spirit with them. Especially because they struggle with the language. I didn't think that then, but I totally see it now. They love that we're hear trying to learn their language and teach them. It just shows how truly important this is that we would give up our time, money, and learning to go to a foreign country, live with the people, learn their language, eat their food. This is so important and we're willing to sacrifice. But then you realize how it really isn't a sacrifice because you get twice the blessings of the things you give. I have a been so blessed to be a missionary! 

The Branch celebrated Thanksgiving last Friday, not sure why but they did haha! We all sat in a circle and Elder Lindley and Sister Ning shared things about Thanksgiving. Elder Lindley shared how in America usually on Thanksgiving we eat turkey and watch football and just eat all day. It's a day for family and a day to realize how much we truly do have. And though we're not at home with our families and not eating our own food, we're grateful to be here with these people and be sharing these moments with them. It's true, I'm so grateful to be here! I have so much to be grateful for! 

Thanksgiving Thailand style! We ate macaroni 

and chicken with the branch. It was fun! 

 So some fun info. this last week I was reading in my journal from the time I was in the MTC and a greenie and I couldn't help but laugh. At the same time I just thought it was so endearing how much I wanted to change. It's fun seeing how far I've come and it all started with my desire to be everything I could for the Lord.  When I was a greenie, I just wanted to be good at the language immediately. I wanted to do everything perfectly all at once, be perfect at listening to the spirit, teaching and inviting. I saw that at lots of times I was super impatient and got really discouraged when things didn't work out the way I wanted them to. But then I kept on going, hoping that it would get better. And things do get better. But they take time. I realized that everything worthwhile in life just takes time. Things don't come immediately but they do come. We have hope and faith in the Lord for a better world, that the things that have been promised will come to pass (Ether 12: 4). And that is what keeps us going! That's what kept me going for sure! It made me think of myself in the next life, when I look over my life. I'll see that I stumbled and sometimes fell. But  I also want to see that I kept on getting back up and going. It was a fun lesson that I learned just from writing in my journal. I encourage you all to keep a journal, there is so much to learn from ourselves. It's how we see our growth and how we don't forget those small little moments in our lives. Record the miracles and the little moments in your life! It's something that I'm grateful I was so diligent at doing throughout my life. 

This week is the Lantern Festival! I'm so excited, I've only seen this stuff on Pinterest and now I'll actually be able to be here for it. I'm glad I get to be up north for it because it's mainly a northern thing. I'll send you guys pics next week! :)

Also read this scripture and it made me think of what happened in Paris the past week. Pray for those families. Moroni 9: 25-26. 

Love you all, have a great Thanksgiving! More than anything, I'm so grateful for you all and that I'm a part of this family. I'll be celebrating with you guys over here in Thailand! 

ด้วยความรัก

ซ. คาร์ริโย

John 15:13

So every single Wednesday and Tuesday we get kebab's,

I think it's like Greek food at the Asawine market. 

They are so yummy, look forward to it every week! 

Went and visited Sister Dxan at 

her house with Sister Wadsana! 

Found a dead scorpion at Sister Noy's house. Yuck!

Took this for Dad! It's Father's Dad next month

 here in Thailand so there's dad stuff everywhere. Love you Dad!

Lampang/Thailand week 31

Hey Fam! 

Soooo, I'm still in Lampang! I was so glad I got to stay, and it meant that I didn't have to pack. I hate packing. So while Sister Rem packed all her stuff, I just cleaned the house and got distracted by little things so it took me a while. Kinda like how it was at home haha! Everyone was way sad that Sister Rem and Elder Parker were leaving. When we were leaving for the train station you would've thought they were celebrities with everyone swarming around them and taking their picture. That happens a lot to us in Thailand haha! 

At the train station heading to transfers

So as we were getting on the train we got a phone call and what do you know! President Johnson was calling. I handed the phone to Sister Rem telling her it was for her and she's training only for her to hand it back to me and tell me pres. wanted to talk to me. Yeah, I freaked out. He did a little small talk and then asked me to train one of the new sisters coming in. All I could say was, "you want me to train? are you sure?" But of course I accepted. I remember you guys always saying you never turn down a calling so I accepted! I kinda thought I was going to train a khon Thai but nope I'm training a white girl :) Her name is Sister Parker (everyone thinks she's Elder Parker's little sister haha) and she's from Alpine, UT. She's way cute, fresh out of the MTC and so ready to work! She's got pretty cool hair too, everyone at church was saying that she looked like a barbie doll. Haha so funny! 

 So now I'm the older one in the companionship and it's SO WEIRD! It's good for me though, I don't have anyone to be dependent on so now I really have to pay attention when people talk, lead the lessons and make sure things get done. This is going to be a growing experience for me! But she's great! It's fun looking at her reactions to things that I've gotten so used to now. I remember when I came into country and everything just seemed so weird and things are just different. Everything is normal now. Anyways, I feel like she knows a lot more Thai than I did when I came into country. I know exactly how she feels, with inviting, not understanding, not being able to say what you want. I understand! That's the great part though so now I can help her. She's a great missionary though, I'm so excited I get to train her! 

So for our investigators, still working with Bro. Joe and Bro. Santi's kids and with Sister Neey (she said she wants to get baptized but she wants to wait a while until she tells her family since they're Buddhist). They're just all busy a lot. Everyone is all so busy, which I understand. It's a new transfer though and we're expecting to see some miracles! 

So some fun things that have happened lately: 

*I started wearing arm sleeves. It's not because I'm don't want to get tan which is what everyone thinks here (because that really is the purpose of them) but because I'm afraid of getting cancer. 

*We taught with Sister Miaw and Sister C-Game yesterday. They were so amazing! I loved hearing Sister Miaw bear her testimony. You just always get so proud when you see your RC's teaching your investigators! It was a great lesson though, we'll be teaching with them again soon. 

Sister C-Game and Sister Miaw, love that these two are best friends!

*I ate REAL Thai food with Sister Parker on Saturday just so she could eat it. She likes it. I still don't like it. Seven months in country and I still can't eat it. I liked the food at church on Sunday though so that was good! 

*We keep getting asked if the picture of Jesus on the inviting cards is Christian Bale. (He actually kinda does look like Christian Bale). 

So I feel like each week or each transfer or so, my life has a theme. Something that I just keep catching in my personal study or a concern that comes up with investigators or just things that I'm learning to overcome. Something like that. The past couple of weeks, I've learned so much of how the Lord really does strengthen us. Sometimes we feel incapable of doing things and just feel like one little person. It's true, we do have weaknesses and fears. And Heavenly Father loves us so much that He puts us in situations that stretch us and teach us. We become capable of doing things that we never thought we were possible of doing. And with that knowledge, I have the courage to never quit just because I feel like I can't do it. Because I know I can. Christ gives us the power to overcome everything. God didn't send us here intending us to fail. We were sent to succeed and obtain our eternal prize. I'm so grateful for my Savior, who has strengthened me, who has been patient with me and has helped me to overcome myself. 

Can I just say how much I love being a missionary? I love these people, I love this country and I love being a servant of my Master. I love my calling! 

That's pretty much it for the week! Love you all! 

-ซ. คาร์ริโย

Romans 15:4

Sister C-Game bought us some cool little bags from Chiang Rai!

Saying goodbye to Sister Remington, I was way sad

 but we'll always be BFF's! This girl is now an STL in Asoke! 

Notice all the photobombers 

Got three generations right here My mom, me and my kid! So presh.

We thought we could make pancakes without eggs, 

but we figured out that you really can't.

 It was a pancake fail. But when you're a missionary

 in Thailand you'll eat anything ha!

Went to Long Jim's for our Friday night pizza 

with Sister Wadsana and Sister C-Game

 

 There was a ton of khwai in the river next to 

our house this morning. Awesome!

Thailand/Lampang- week 30 Transfer's are this week. I trust in the revelation that president receives for transfers. It makes me feel better that God really is the one choosing!

Hey Mom! 

So this last week we talked Brother Beck into taking us to the caves. He's the craziest driver ever, it's no wonder his car is always in the shop! He's probably one of my favorite members just because he's so funny. Anyways, we got to climb up the mountain to these caves, it was pretty cool!

We stopped along the way to see Buddha!

We got to go to Chiang Mai this week as well for training, that was fun, we just spent the day there inviting. There was a huge Jehovah's Witness conference there, so they were everywhere from around the world. Two of them came up and started talking to us. They were nice! The lady told us that we looked beautiful and thanks for being modest. Haha we thought that was funny. But for the rest of the week we were trying to teach and visit as many people as we could. We've found all the LA's on our lists, now we're just trying to find all the rest of them from the members. We're still meeting with our normal investigators, Sister Meow and her kids! Their kids weren't ready yet to get baptized though. So Sister Meow got baptized and Brother Santi got to baptize her. I also got to speak at her baptism. I thought I was going to be nervous speaking in Thai but I teach the gospel everyday of my life which has made me super good at just winging and sharing random stuff. The blessings of a mission! It was a good day though, their kids made friends at the church and had a good time which was what we wanted more than anything! They're next transfer for sure! Whoever stays here will be able to work with them.

 There's a lot of great potential's here in Lampang. We met with this one guy Golf for the first time last week. We'd invited him at the train station once and then found him at the park and invited him again. He decided there must've been a reason we all met again. So he came and he was really good! He really wants to learn more, but the biggest problem is that he lives so far away! I hate it when that happens. He called us last night and asked if we could just send all the lessons to him so he could learn that way because he just doesn't have time to come into the city. He's way good and I hate it when stuff like that happens but it's in Heavenly Father's hands! We get to teach him tomorrow! Excited for that.

 

The church building!  

Soon Lampang will have a building! we're working on it!

We get transfer calls today! I have mixed feelings about all of it. Sister C-Game started crying today when we told her and then I started crying. It's going to be hard but as I've said before, change is good. We all need it. I just don't want it. But wherever God takes me or whoever He puts me with, I know it's because I have something to learn from it. I trust in the revelation that president receives for transfers. It makes me feel better that God really is the one choosing! 

This week I read Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk What is Truth? He started out with a poem that went like this: 

Six men of Indostan

To learning much inclined,

Who went to see the Elephant

(Though all of them were blind),

That each by observation

Might satisfy his mind.

And so these men of Indostan

Disputed loud and long,

Each in his own opinion

Exceeding stiff and strong,

Though each was partly in the right,

And all were in the wrong!¹

I thought about this a lot and how we each have things we've been told or even experiences that shapes our idea of what reality and truth is. They could be totally wrong but they don't know that. They've had experiences and it just makes sense. So how do we know if the things that we know and believe are true? If we rely on our own thoughts and experiences we will forever remain in ignorance, maybe having a little bit of truth here or there. But never having the fullness of the truth. That is why I love the story of a boy, just 14 years old, who asked God where the truth was and if it was true how would he know it. From this came about the restoration of the fullness of the truth that had long been lost since the time of Christ and his apostles. I love this story, and every time I teach this story I tell the investigator that they are exactly like Joseph Smith. We are each seeking for truth. In Moroni 10: 5 he gives the promise that "through the power of the Holy Ghost we may know the truth of all things." What a great promise! In a world where there are so many places and people that claim to have the truth it'd get super confusing to know who to believe. But we can know for ourselves what truth is when we ask our Heavenly Father. The spirit will help us to recognize the truth. This talk made me think of myself and how I knew these things were true. I've grown up in the church and where some people would say that I've just been brain washed into believing these things, I know that is not true. I know what I have felt. And what I have felt and what the spirit has testified to me is that these things are true. This truly is Christ's restored church here on earth today. The Book of Mormon is true and we have a prophet in our day that leads and guides us. And more than anything, I know that my Redeemer lives. I know of these things for myself that they are true. We always tell the investigators that we don't want them to just believe us, we want them to pray about it and know for themselves that it is true. And when they do know these things to be true, to have faith in Christ and have the faith to follow Him, even when the times are hard or things don't make sense. I will never forget the spirit that I have felt here on my mission and the witness that the spirit has bore to me. 

I'm excited for this week! It will be a hard one with the changes that will be made but I trust in my Heavenly Father and know that no matter what comes, I will be able to withstand. 

Love you guys, have a good week!!! 

-ซ. คาร์ริโย

2 Timothy 4:7

Hiking up to the cave!

Our cool District!

There were lots of Buddha's in the cave!

I felt like I was on the Mummy, but at 

the same time I was looking for Batman

There was a ton of snakes in the cave!

Thailand is So Beautiful!!

Found this weird bug on my bike!  I thought it was just

 a fuzzy leaf and then it started moving.  Freaky!!