Sister Maisie Carrillo

Sister Maisie Carrillo

Monday, May 30, 2016

Thailand/Chaengwattana Week 59.... Teach when you find, find when you teach!

Hello Family! 

This week. It was full of so many amazing things, my mind can't even comprehend all of it. 

We went into the week saying "this week, we are going to see miracles". We were determined and ready for our last full week of the transfer. We busted it out all week, inviting and trying to find anyone to teach. We even taught the land lady about the the atonement and repentance. Teach when you find, find when you teach. Saturday came. So we have not had one person take a date to be baptized this entire transfer. We were still not even close to being balanced with our key indicators on Saturday night. But we still had faith that the Lord would help us. So as we planned, we said "we are going to get two member lessons, we are going to teach someone new and we are going to get a dater!!" Yesterday, we were able to teach three new investigators. As we taught about the restoration to Pat and แตงก่วา, they were so intrigued with the thought that they could find truth for themselves through prayer. They were also asking questions about baptism! I asked them both if they would be baptized. Pat answered first with a firm no, that she was not ready. I half expected แตงก่วา to refuse as well since her friend had just said no. But instead she surprised me by saying, "รับค่ะ." Yes! That was such a miracle. 

This last week, my life has been question filled. I want to know what everyone thinks of the world. I have the taxi drivers describe their Buddhist beliefs to me. And then I question them. When you pray, who do you pray to? What blessings have you seen from it? Where do you think you were before this life? How do you think that tree over there has life? How do you know what you know is true? What does that little Buddhist statue even do for you? Does it answer your prayers? Is it real? How do you know? 
It's fun because they get confused. And then they see. They feel it and they want to know if it's real. One of the taxi drivers came to church yesterday. That was awesome!! 
I have asked myself these questions as well. Who is Jesus Christ to me? Why do I follow Him? How has the restoration of the gospel blessed my life? It's so good to ask yourself those questions sometimes. Sometimes we just get in the rut of doing what we do because our parents, friends, and people around us do it. Then we become like these people, that when it comes to it, they just have no idea. They just do it because they're trained to do it. One thing I have learned from the restoration: God wants us to ask questions! He wants us to search and know for ourselves. As I have questioned myself this week on why I do what I do and searched for my answered, almost every single question has been answered. And my testimony has been strengthened. 
So that's my challenge to each of you. Ask a question, search, ponder and then pray. I have come to know that God truly does answer our prayers. 

This week is transfers week! And then there's only two more transfers. I hope I stay here. But I've also told Heavenly Father I will do whatever He wants me to do and I will do it without being fearful or grudgingly. I will do it with faith and trusting in Him that He knows better. 

I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I think one of the greatest moments of my life was the moment I finally realized who They are. 

Life is full of miracles! 

Have a great and miracle filled week!! 

Sister Carrillo 

"He who has a firm will molds the world to himself." -Goethe

Isaiah 40: 32
Me and Sister Pim. I tell her everyday she is a live action Pocahontas.
English students waiting for English to start. Love these girls!!
Got to switch off with this girl again! 
Shes going to Temple Square next month!!
District bowling!

This girl! It's so great when you are 
best friends with your companion! 
Group picture at the Khanakhams!  
Sister Khanakham was waiting outside the door for
 us like this as we were leaving. So funny!


President and Sister Johnson, our favorite people! 
They came yesterday for Stake Conference.
The Khanakhams had us over again for lunch
 and made us this delish mango dessert! 

One of the members brought these two girls to church 
one day and now we are teaching them. They are amazing!
Mary went to prom!
I thought this little Thai girl was so cute! 
I decided to be creepy and took a picture of her haha.
Picking up chairs for the party. They didn't quite
 fit in the golf cart but we made it work.

We were matching!
The sticker in the taxi guys car. Me and
 Sister Olsen have been laughing for days about this!

Monday, May 23, 2016

Thailand/Chaengwattana week 58....What would you do if you weren't afraid?

Hey Family, 

This week was a miracle filled week. Nothing big happened but little tiny tender mercies that helped me to know that the Lord is with me and my companion.This week I just felt light on my feet. That is the only way I know how to describe missionary work is that sometimes you just want to run and dance. It's the best feeling in the world. My heart is always full while sharing the gospel. It's something that I hope I never lose. Life is so beautiful, in all kinds of forms. Sometimes I think we take things too seriously, like it's the end of the world. But I've met people that have seen and been through so much worse than I ever have. I thought about that for so long. How could I not turn bitter after seeing so much hate and terror? How could that not scar me? How do people do that and still the world keeps going? If you think of darkness though, it's just an absence of light. I've seen that in my own life, that I had a choice. I could either sit in my own darkness or I could move and turn on the light. I can turn to the Savior by opening my heart, by looking for not the gray and black but the colors in life. There is so much to be sad and down about if that's all you think about. But there's also so much more to be grateful and glad for. I just don't understand how people can live their life without the gospel. That has been my light and rock in life when I wanted to give up. I know that Christ is our Savior, and that He has delivered us from the dark, the unknown and brought us into eternal light if we will accept it. It's just our choice if we want to flip the light switch. Life is so wonderful and beautiful. There's so much beauty in being human. I know that we're children of God and that He has sent us here to experience these things! But He has promised us that He will never leave us alone. Christ already walked those paths so that we never would have to walk them alone. I'm so grateful for the examples of faith I have seen in the people I have met here. Hope is never lost and God will never forsake us. 
Life is great.
I'm in the most dysfunctional district, and it makes it so fun and funny. I love my district!
Also me and Sister Olsen are apparently fairies (as said by Sister Ooy's mother because we go out teaching the gospel). 
According to the Bishop's daughter, we can make it rain Book of Mormons by giving them out to people (Yeah! make it rain!). 
Bright Beams Our Father's Mercy is the song of my mission. Me and the sisters are constantly singing it haha! (if you want to listen to a really good version listen to the one by The Lower Lights) 
It's been raining a ton here in Bangkok. That was a tender mercy! I still sweat though. Not sure if I'll ever not sweat. haha.
We have a combination of Pakistani, Cambodian, Thai, African, and Filipino investigators we are teaching. LOVE being in a international branch!! 

I'm excited for this week! Next week is transfers! it's crazy how fast they come and go. Hoping I stay but I've gotten to the point in my mission where I'm just used to everything changing and never getting comfortable. I'll go where God needs me to be! In my crazy life, my most constant point has been Christ. I know He is the one that has kept me going :) 

Love you all!! Have a great week!! 

Mais 

Found this quote I had written in my scriptures when I was in the MTC: "In the depth of winter, we find with in us an invincible summer." 

I ask myself this question everyday: What would you do if you weren't afraid? 
Sister Olsen, Sim, Beckstrand, Capin (from Australia) and me!
Our district went down to สยาม for Pday last week. 
Here's the sisters! 
Me and Sister Olsen, we think we're hilarious!
Teaching our Cambodian investigators at their house!
These cute little Cambodian boys! 
They remind me of Crue and Carsen...

Out proselyting with Sister Watermelon! 
I'm a Fresh Mexican on a mission!
 Everyone loved this and asked if I felt right at home.
 It was funny! 

Salman and Sharman made us some Pakistani food. 
It's a lot yummier than it looks!
Brother Michael. He's always got a smile!!
This is right outside the walls of Central. 
Not sure why it's actually there, but we thought it was funny. 

Monday, May 16, 2016

Thailand/Chaengwattana week 57

Dear Family, 

It was a crazy week, lots of switch offs and riding up and down Chaengwattana road. I swear, I just live my life on this road. That is literally just our area. The traffic makes it seem really big though! 
This week was a little hard with investigators. But we also had a lot of blessings. We ride in taxis a lot so we have the opportunity to sit and talk and invite the drivers. They think it's hilarious. Sometimes they're creepers (like last week one grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go and Sister Olsen sat there karate chopping him until he let go). But some are really nice! I've been trying really hard on taxi drivers because Sister Beckstrand made a goal to baptize a taxi driver. So I've been on a mission to help her achieve this goal. This guy, Nat, said he was going to go to church on Sunday. And because they all say that and never show up, I didn't really believe him. I should've had more faith in the Lord though because I showed up to church on Sunday and he was already there! And then after church everyone was asking me where I'd met him and telling me how awesome he was. I was so happy, we were going to hand him over to the other sisters and then he told us he was from Rangsit. Sad. It's ok. It was such a miracle. Taxi drivers will accept the gospel too!! 

Another amazing miracle: We went and visited Sister Ooy at her house on Friday and as we were leaving we met this Cambodian family! I started talking to the daughter in Thai and she kept giving me weird looks like she couldn't understand what I was saying. All I could think was I know I'm not that good at Thai but I'm not that bad! Haha. We soon after that met her mom who could speak Thai a little bit more and told me her family had just come over from Cambodia. She said she was interested in learning with us and we made an appointment to go back the next day and teach her and her family. And that was so cool. There was so many people. Some of their Thai neighbors came out as well and listened while we sat out on the side of the road with them and taught them how to pray. Not sure how much they understood, but the spirit was there. Glad that we don't have to rely upon ourselves, but we have the spirit to help teach. 

This week was a goodie, I can't wait for this next week! I'm so grateful for the gospel. I have seen how much it really is just a light, that hope that we have in our lives. It's been so humbling to teach people that have come from such a hard background. That live in a world where they are literally in hiding and refugees. Teaching Brother Michael and the Obeid (Pakistani family) has been one of the most life changing experiences for me. Here these people are that were completely disowned and threatened to be killed all because of their belief in Christ. And they wouldn't give it up, nor would they deny it. And now here they are in Thailand where their situation is not much better. Their life is so hard and there is absolutely no evidence that it will get better. I love these people. It's hard watching people that you love suffer and there is absolutely nothing you can do to change their situation. The only thing that I know how to do is share the gospel with them. And I know that is what will save them. It has saved Michael. He has said over and over again how Christ, coming to church, reading in the Book of Mormon and prayer has saved him. This week we were able to talk to Sharman and her family. She explained that she has always just felt stressed, so many burdens that she has carried and still carries today. But since reading from the Book of Mormon, she doesn't feel stressed anymore. She only feels peace. I know that Christ can do that for any of us. No matter the pains, hardships and storms we face in this life there is nothing that Christ has not already overcome for us. He has the power to calm our storms. I know that's true! How grateful I am, as always, to help the people here in Thailand have that light and that hope. It is the greatest gift we can give to those around us. 


Love you guys! Have a great week! Don't forget to read in your scriptures everyday :) 

ซิสเตอร์ ริโย

Mosiah 7: 18-19

God is always with us. Never forget that.
We love these girls! We got to switch off with them 
again this week. So much fun! We love switch offs!
Going to Sister Ooy's!
Went on a switch off with Sister Williamson, 
we had so much fun together!

Monday, May 9, 2016

Thailand/Chaengwattana week 56..... Week of Miracles


สวัสดีวันแม่!!!!

What a spiritual week. So many miracles! God led us to so many amazing people. 
Here is one of the many miracles that happened this week:
Tuesday night I was talking to Elder Quinn and he said that he had a referral for us. A Pakistani family that had just called asking about our church. We called them and set up an appointment with them for Saturday night and went to their home. The instant I saw them, I loved them. Salman and Sharman are refugees from Pakistan and are now living here in Thailand with their three children. They fled their country after all the persecution their endured for their Christian beliefs and the threat of execution. They have suffered much and still are not in the best circumstances. They love God and as Salman bore his testimony to us of the greatness of God and the atonement, I couldn't help but tear up. I have never suffered such persecution and I couldn't help but think how lucky I am to have the freedom to worship Christ. I felt so much love for this family. That Heavenly Father has been with them the entire time and He is aware of them. Sharman was walking one day when she noticed a picture of Jesus Christ on the ground. Luckily there was a number on the back that she felt she should call. And she called us! What a tender mercy of the Lord! Meeting them was such an amazing experience, one I will never forget. I know the Lord has led them. I know the Lord is involved in every single detail of our lives. When we lift the scales from our eyes, we can see that the Lord has a guiding hand constantly over us. I love my Heavenly Father! I know He lives and I know that He loves us! 
And now to my madre: 
This is a childrens song that the young womens sang yesterday at church. I loved it because I felt it explained exactly what my mother is to me. 

Two thousand stripling warriors, strong and brave and true. Had faith that would not waver because their mothers knew. Though young, they trusted fully. They stood for what was right. My mother tells this story and I trust with all my might. She prays to Heavenly Father with a faith so pure. I know I can not doubt Him because my mother's sure. They Spirit guides her actions. She serves with gentle hands. She comforts, guides and teaches. She tells me who I am. our Savior's power reflected in the love I feel. When Mother speaks of Jesus and how His grace is real. The stirring in my heart proves that I have learned the truth: I am a stripling warrior. I have faith beyond my youth.
 I am a stripling warrior. I hold the shield of faith that comes from my own mother. It will guide me all my days. She armed me with the sword of truth and hope in God above. I will follow her example to trust in our Father's love. 

Love you Mommio! Thank you for being amazing and for being my mom! 

Have a great week everyone! 

ซิสเตอร์ ริโย

Matthew 16:16
I love Bangkok!! :)
Eating Que Paso with the sisters! 
Gotta get our Mexican food!
Mothers Day! All the girls 12+ got a bouquet of flowers!

Our investigators from Pakistan! Sharman and Shannon. 
They came on a great day!
We gave these cute grandmas our flowers for being such 
great influences and strengths in the church here in Thailand.
 They are the pioneers here!
My Happy Place!
We love when weddings take place at the church! 
Because that's when the missionaries crash it!

Our interesting and yummy Islamic food!
This is how we eat cupcakes in Thailand. 
With chopsticks!! 
Our second home, taxis!

Monday, May 2, 2016

Thailand/Chaengwattana week 55.... Back to Korat!!

Hey everyone! 
This week was so great, it was such a crazy one! First off, I got to go back to my greenie area for a day, Korat, which was the weirdest but funnest thing ever! I got to see all my RC's and show Sister Black around where all the LA's were that I had visited. I didn't tell anyone I was coming and so when they saw me, they all would say hi to me and then take a double take and ask me how I got there. I told them I took a bus there haha. It was so fun! I think I thought they all would've forgotten me, but they didn't. People really don't forget you! That was really fun to see everyone. I really love the people in Korat. 
My Korat family! I missed them all!
Sister Blaa, my greenie best friend!
Sister First! She's still amazing and strong,
 It was such a blessing to be able to see her!
Switching off with Sister Black in Korat! 
Back home again!
Visiting this cute family, this was the first Thai 
home I had ever gone to when I was a greenie!

Brother Miit and his new wife Sister Bird! Such a happy reunion!!

So we've found some great inviting places. We just have to go where all the white people hangout. So that means going to all the high-so restaurant places and hanging out at Central. It's so fun, it's like a scavenger hunt looking for all the foreigners. We've been praying a lot to be able to find people that are ready. And it's amazing because we've had some pretty good success at finding people this last week. I've learned that if you pray for it and you work for it, the Lord will lead you to it. We ran into this Filipino guy one night that happens to be friends with one of the members at church and so we got to meet with him at their house and teach him. He was so set on reading the Book of Mormon and asking if it was true. Not everyone is too friendly though. Some of them know exactly who we are haha! There was a guy from Scotland that asked why our priest makes us go and try to persuade everyone to be a Mormon. It was a cool moment for me. We told him that no one made us do anything, but that we chose to do this because God sent us to help His children know Him and have everything  and all the blessings He has in store for them. No one made me do this, I'm here because I chose to come and I know it's right! 
We've taught the restoration a ton this whole week!! I understand the need for a restoration so much more. I have never been so thankful for the First Vision. I received that confirmation for myself again that this church is the true church. How confusing would it be for us to rely on human understand and wisdom. I'm grateful that I don't have myself or others to rely on but my Heavenly Father to reveal the truth to me. I know what I have felt and I know that this church truly is His. God is great and He has never left us and He never will. I know that is true. 
We've seen lots of great miracles here and it's only been a week! I know the Lord will continue to bless us and lead us. I have so much to learn still about being a missionary but I have confidence in my God that He will continue to help me know how to be better. i love being a missionary, there is no greater joy I have ever experienced! I am grateful for where I am serving. I have such wonderful people all around me. I have felt God's presence in my life more than ever this past week. 

Love you Fam! I can't wait to talk to you guys next week!! It will probably be around 8:30! See you then! :) 

ซิสเตอร์ ริโย 

My absolute favorite quote!: "I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun. Not because I can see it, but by it, I can see everything else." -C.S. Lewis
Sister Kim Sawon, one of the Cambodian's in our ward we visited!
This chocolate, the best chocolate ever. Too bad it's illegal in America!
This is our new investigator Oy. The other, Sister Watermelon, 
is a returned missionary from Australia that has been helping us teach 
Oy. Oy calls us her daughters and we call her mom. She's so great!
We had a nice break from the heat on Saturday!
 It was a bearable day in Bangkok!