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!
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