Thailand/Asoke Week 63....."Today is the Day!"

Hey everyone!

This week was a crazy one. Every day just seems so random. Saturday we taught a Pakistani man, a Chinese man, and then an African man. And we just recently started teaching a guy from Seattle. I love serving in an international area! 

I bought a shirt recently that says, "Today is the day." So every single day when me and Sister Mags go out we say, "Today is the day!" I thought a lot about this saying and its meaning for all of us. Everyday when we wake up, it's a new start, a new beginning. A chance to learn something new and rediscover our strengths as well as who we are. Something I've learned through the course of my mission is that it is never too late to change. We can't always change the choices that we've already made or the circumstances sometimes but we can change ourselves. How grateful I am for the atonement. We taught a man that had lost a lot. And it was because of the choices that he and those around him had made. And he's paying for it. It keeps him up in the night, it eats at him throughout the day. All he can do is sit at the window and stare, wishing that he could take back what he had done. There was something that I really wanted him to know and something that I hope that I always remember. God loves us. He wants us to be happy. And though we make mistakes sometimes and aren't always the smartest, He still loves us. And that is why He sent His son Jesus Christ to make up what we can't, to mend the things that we have broken. And what courage that gives me! When I fall down, I know I can get right back up, dust myself off and say, "well, I will not be doing that again!" and keep moving forward. There is nothing that Christ has not already overcome, therefore, there is nothing that we cannot overcome. I'm grateful for everyday that comes! I know that if I didn't do so good the day before, there's a chance for me to start over and do better. It's never too late! God is always reaching out for us. His arms are wide open, ready to take us in. But it's our choice to take that first step. "Today is the day!" to try something new, to start all over, to be who you want to be! I have faith in the atonement and I know that it is real. The atonement has changed me. I know that Christ is risen, and that He lives! Never in my life have I known it more than I know now. 

Love you all! Have a great week! 

ซิสเตอร์ ริโย

It rained.

Brother Fu Hong made us a feast of veggies!

Ate at Brother Fu Hong's house and he had me cut the fruit. 

Everyone asked me how I knew how to cut fruit 

and I just told them by watching my mom :)

Went on a switch off with Sister Woon! 

She's serving up in Lampang right now! :)

Just standin' in the crowded MRT.

Elder Ellsworth sent us on a mission to find him 

a bouquet of flowers (we failed and found weeds) 

and gave us some okra to eat on the way!

Member highlight of the week: Sister Mickey. 

She is currently putting her papers in to be a missionary! 

She helps us teach all the time, and keeps us laughing. 

I absolutely love this girl! Fun fact: Her sister's name is Minnie.

When Sister Pen goes outside, she covers every inch of her body.

 That's the คนไทย protocal. Avoid the tan!

Flooded parking lots. It's rainy season!

Thailand/Asoke..... Week 62

Hey Family! 

Well it was a fun, rainy, miracle filled week! First off, I want to start this letter off by saying HAPPY FATHERS DAY to my amazing, Boise-state and Pepsi loving, hardworking, and devoted daddio. Life would not have been the same without his endless teasing, love and chocolate covered almonds that he always hid from me in his closet. Yesterday I about died when a member had a container from America with those things in it. It was พอดีเลย since it was Fathers Day and chocolate covered almonds always reminded me of him. Don't worry Dad, I ate some for you :) 

This week, there's a lot of things that I want to tell. So I'll start with the first miracles. 

I remember one of my wise old companions telling me that it takes 10 seconds of our time, bravery, you (YOURSELF) to change someones else's world. I remembered those words as Sister Panasuto related a story to me when I saw her last week. She reminded me of the time we were on our way to play Songkran on the BTS on our Pday. I started talking to this cute little old lady with her grandson who were from Thonburi. I remember that she was super excited that I could speak Thai and I told her we were missionaries and we taught about Christ. And there happened to be a church in Thonburi! By this time Sister Panasuto had come over and tried explaining where the church was over there (cause I had no idea!), we got her number, and that was the end of it. A week later, Sister Panasuto moved to Thonburi. Fast forward two months, Sister Panasuto asked me if I remember that little old lady that I had talked to on the BTS. No? But when she started telling me more about her I remembered. Then Sister Panasuto started crying and told me that she had taught that little old lady. And she was now baptized and her family now has dates to be baptized. Me and Sister Panasuto just stood there and cried together. What a miracle! That was such a testimony booster to me. 

Next I think that I've mentioned how much I love to invite taxi drivers. I really love it! I invited one last week and he gave me the taxi ride for free because he likes people that go about doing good. Got his number, I will pay him back by teaching him the gospel!! Really though, I love taxi drivers. 

The little old lady that we taught to pray (from the pictures), her little family (son, his wife and kids) walked in while we were talking with her. We invited them to English and asked if they would come on Sunday. They said they would. And guess what, they did! That was a miracle since a lot of our investigators didn't show up. Little tender mercies of the Lord to help is know that He's still there. Their kids loved church and said they wanted to come back. We're going to go and teach them on Saturday! Praying for that family that they will be open to the gospel. 

Last Monday I had people apologizing to me when I told them I was from the US. Why? Because of the gun problem that is apparently going on there. I was super disturbed by it. It's so sad to me what God's children will do to one another. Satan is so real, there are scary things that go on in the world and I'm not sure if I ever go back into that world again. It's nice being a missionary and not knowing about that stuff. But God is always teaching me, showing me the light. Tuesday, we went to the Mercy Centre. It's a cute little orphanage/school with the most sweetest children ever. Standing in the middle of the crowd of them and their sweet little spirits helped me to feel God's light again. There are such good people in the world. People that want to help, that go out and do something. People that freely give their love and service. I was amazed to learn of the story of Father Jo who started this organization. Before this area had been called the slaughter house, where the poor lived and the children had no chance to have an education or rise above their circumstances. So Father Jo went and lived among them and created this school for the children. He's done everything for these kids out of love and it has changed the lives of so many. I teared up when I heard this story, almost like Heavenly Father was telling me that there is bad but there is also so much good. I want to be the good in the world. There are just people that are out there that make life beautiful for themselves and all those around them. I want to be one of those people. Gandhi knew what he was talking about when he said it, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." That quote is my life motto. 

 

 I loved every second of it, such special little children!

Nap time! Have no idea how these kids sleep 

when we were all so noisy haha!

Would you like to know something that I hear on a daily basis? "Every religion teaches you how to be a good person." I CRINGE every time I hear it. Everyone says it and I've made it a competition for myself to beat them to saying it. Because it's true. But that's not all that Christ's restored gospel teaches us. While it's teachings are good and help us to be good people, I think that God, our Father, wants more than that for His children. He wants us to be perfect like Him. And we can do that only in and through the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. Life is so much more than just being a good person and receiving good things. I'm trying to help them all understand that. We are children of our Heavenly Father. He has a plan for us. And GOOD is just NOT GOOD ENOUGH as children of a King. 

Another thing that always happens, "Did you pray last night Sister/Brother......?" "No, I didn't have time." Cringe again. Please don't ever say that you are too busy to pray, read in your scriptures, go to church. How can we be too busy for God? The very being that gave us breath? Let me just say that if you are too busy to be doing those things you are living the life that God had intended for you WRONG. God can be in every aspect of our lives. That's what makes our lives so beautiful and worth living. My life without God would just not be the same. 

Well, life is great here in the heart of Bangkok. I love my mission. I also really love Pakistani food. And talking to random people on the street. There's just no fear when you're a missionary. And when there is, you get over it. I just never want this to end. But I know that my life as a full-time missionary will someday come to an end. But my life as a disciple of Christ never will. You can betch' your bottom dollar on it! 

Love you guys!! Have an amazing week!! 

ซิสเตอร์ ริโย

"Why am I here? I am here because God has spoken and raised up a prophet, through whom He has restored the fullness of the everlasting gospel with all it's gifts, powers, and ordinances and blessings; with a proclamation to all peoples, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand." In the providence of God, I have been called as an ambassador to bear this message to the nations of the earth, which I realize devolves on me as great responsibility which I cannot discharge with out the aid of the Almighty." -Lorenzo Snow 

Sister Nuey and Meena, the elders investigator, both got baptized! :)

Elder and Sister Khanakham came and visited us here in Asoke!

 It was good seeing them again, two of my favorite people in the world.

Oh Bangkok and it's never-ending traffic!

Met this cute little grammy. She was showing up pictures

 of her when she was younger. She told us to take as many 

pictures as we can while we are young. 

I think I'm doing pretty good at it. We tried teaching her how to pray. 

When we were done, she just looked at Sister Mags 

and told her she had beautiful eyes. I love teaching grandmas hahaha!

We were out shopping for Pday last week, I turn around 

and this is what I see. Haha. And then I was like "smile!" and took a picture.

I liked this cup :)

I like to buy socks here

One of the elders put this on Elder and Sister Grange's board. 

We laughed forever about it! I don't think they thought it was as funny as we did.....:)

Sister Oy, she's getting baptized this week! 

She also loves the Book of Mormon :)

I am in love with the sunsets here.

We went to the top floor of the senior couples apartment building. 

Pictures just don't put Bangkok to justice! 

Visiting one of the members families! They were the coolest people ever.

 We're going to go back and teach them.

Thailand/Asoke Week 61....."Whosoever is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

Hello again! 

It is rainy season here in Thailand! I love the rain. 

This week was a lot of meetings, with MLC, our dying meeting and then we had some more training. How grateful I am for training in knowing how I can be a better missionary to the people here. 

In MLC one of my favorite stories in the New Testament was talked about! In John 8 a woman is thrown at the feet of Jesus for committing adultery. I have always loved watching this Bible video because the compassion that Christ has for her just melts my heart. 

"Whosoever is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." 

And not one of them could do it, because they each realized that they all had sin. But Jesus Christ, who was sinless, could have casted that stone at her. 

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman,

 where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her,Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin 

no more.

I love these scriptures! If you look at the Joseph Smith translation it says that she went on praising God from that time on. He didn't condemn her because what good would that have done? Instead, he did something amazing. He did something that changed her attitude, something that turned her back to God. And so what should we do as followers of Christ? We do not condemn but we love and serve and in that we change attitudes! It's in the small things that we give to others. The other day we went to go and teach Sister Neen at her home, who happened to not be there. But her mom, Sister Pan, was there! Her mom is a returning less active and has been strengthened so much by the love and patience that the missionaries and members have given her. Sister Pan was telling us how much she loved music but didn't have anything to listen to so she listened to the radio. Me and Sister Mags just looked at each other and then said, "We can sing to you!" She got all excited after that and sat with us on the couch as we sang her Love at Home in English. She loved it. She told us to come back again and sing to her. Her whole countenance had changed by the time we left that home. All I could think about was Christ and the woman whose life He had changed because of His unending and never changing love. And all the others lives He has changed. He left people better than before. And how grateful was I that day to have left Sister Pan in better spirits than she had been when we first gotten there. And how I hope to do that everywhere I go as representative of Christ and a child of God. 

I love Thailand. And one of my greatest rewards at the end of my mission will be to have left it better than before. To have loved it with my entire heart and given it my all. 

I testify that Christ loves us. And there is great strength and power in showing that Christlike love and compassion for others. There is no greater joy than in blessing the life of another. I love my calling. I plan to live it my entire life. 

Have a great week family! I love you guys! Tell Crue to stop getting so tall. 

Sister Rio 

I remember this quote Mom that you kept on the fridge all while we were growing up: Be the kind of person that those that know you, but don't know Christ, will want to know Christ because they know you. 

 MLC with my sisters!

 

Adorable random little girls that just came up 

and hugged me on the street. They were so cute!

Found Sister Johnson (my good old MTC companion!) 

and Sister Powell at Terminal! We are finally serving in the same zone!

Our investigator, Sister Dam, making some sort of seasoning.

Sister Yog's view from her apartment. I love Bangkok.

We were with Sister Panasuto so we had to go somewhere

 with squid heads. Yum.

Just hanging out at the ตลาด!!

Reunited for our dying meeting. First time 

we've all been together since the beginning!

Thailand/Asoke week 60.... Transfer 11.... HERE WE GO!!

Hey Fambam!

This week was crazy and busy. Pretty much knew I was going to move and I did. I was sad to leave Chaengwattana. And I was once again, the only one in my district leaving! But it's fine, I literally moved down the street to Asoke aka THE HEART OF BANGKOK aka THE HOTTEST PLACE EVER. It's really hot here. 

Bangkok!

That means that a storm is coming

It's a very busy and businessy area with malls and skyscrapers everywhere. We have to go through the mall to get to our apartment. I feel like I'm in New York or something sometimes. We take taxis (my favorite), MRTs (underground train) and BTSs (above ground train) everywhere. I enjoy the trains a lot, there's lots of people to talk to. I'm in another International Ward, I feel so lucky. Best thing of all though is that I'm companions with another one of my sisters from my MTC group! 

My new companion, Sister Mags! 

Sister Magbanua (Mags) from New Zealand. We're serving where the mission home is so I get to see all the senior couples and President and Sister Johnson lots. The members here are so nice. I still get asked why my last name is so funny and why I don't look like most other white people. I guess I'll never fit in lol. I'm proud to tell them every time that I'm half Mexican! 

Can I just say how grateful I am for the Restoration? I understand why it's the first lesson now, it's because it doesn't matter how much knowledge you have of Jesus Christ or the gospel. In the end of the lesson, the invitation is to pray and ask God and the promise is that you will know for yourself if it's true. You will know for yourself!! What a wonderful thing to be able to know truth for yourself. And not from man or from your natural self but from God, who is our creator and the creator of everything. Who knows all truth and comprehends all things. Had a fun experience last week at our usual lunch place in Central. Me and Sister Olsen stopped and talked to this man from Belgium. Let's just say that he does not believe in God. He's read all the books and knows now that there is nothing and that we are nothing. I asked him if he'd read the Book of Mormon before. No, of course not, yet he knows it's not true. "How do you know it's not true if you've never even read it before?" 

"You only know it's true because you've all been brainwashed since you were kids to believe in this stuff." 

I have been told that sooo many times, more than I can count. 

"No, I know it's true. I know that God lives and that He is our Father in Heaven. And because we are His children, He will reveal truth to us if we ask sincerely." 

I've thought a lot about that moment this week and how grateful I am that I was taught since I was a little girl that God lives, but more than that I was taught how to pray so I could know that He was there. I don't know when that moment happened where I starting believing in God. I think I've always known that He's been there. And ever since I finally learned to open my eyes, I see Him in everything. I know that God lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is His word. And I know that this church is His. He is the one leading it. I have no doubt in my heart whatsoever about it. 

I'm ready for this transfer!! New area, new people, new start! I can already feel God's guiding hand on the things that I need to do here. 

God is real, He is with us. 

Sorry, don't have tons of time to write but I'll make sure I get more stories for next time! 

Love you all, have a great week! 

Sister Carrillo

Sister Carrillz and Granny Olsen!

District dinner at Que Paso's!

Brother Michael, one of my most favorite 

people in the world! I'm going to miss him!

FHE at Helen'sslight selfie fail.

Goodbye แม่ ออ๋ย :(

Saying goodbye to the Hansen's

Saying goodbye to the Lewis's

Saying goodbye to my Cambodian sisters. 

Oh the torture!!

Getting some new shoes since my old 

ones are now holy shoes :)

 

We got matching shoes!!

Sister Parker is training!! 

Sister Suri, I'm way taller than her! Haha!

Selfie!

 This is my little greenie............so proud of her haha!! 

   She's training now!! I'm a grandma!