Happy Fourth of July!!! 
Can't
even explain how grateful I am to be an American. I feel so lucky to be
born in a country with religious freedom and rights. Especially to have
grown up in good old Idahome. No matter what anyone else says, I think
it is one of the greatest places in the world. It's a hidden gem, that's
why it's called the Treasure Valley. So we celebrated one of my
favorite days of the year with another Zone Conference, which happened
to be my last one. That was really bittersweet. It was so perfect though
because we talked about obedience and the great importance of being
obedient to the commandments of the Lord. You have no idea how many
times I've been told that "I can't keep those commandments because
they're just too hard and I like to have freedom." I've thought about
that a lot. I remember one of my companions telling me out of the blue
that there is no freedom in having no direction in life. Commandments
are what keep us free from sin, which puts us in bondage. I always
pictured Heavenly Father as the big man upstairs that just gave us
commandments and told us what to do just for the heck of it. When we
understand our God, our Heavenly Father, we understand that He literally
is our father. When our parents give us rules, is it because they hate
us and want to make our lives miserable? I used to think that, but no!
It's because they love us and they want us to be happy. They know that
with no direction in life, us kids would just run around doing whatever
we want, making mistakes and doing things that will not ultimately make
us happy. I understand God so much more. He's our Father. And He loves
us. He wants more than anything for us to return to Him. So He gives us
guidelines and direction. And these laws are just and trustworthy. So
we're not sitting in the mist of darkness, not knowing what to do. We
know our end goal and we know how to get there. It's all in the plan,
and this plan was all thought out so well. And sometimes what we think
will make us happy, in the end will not. That's why we trust in the
Lord and know that He knows the bigger picture. I know that when I'm
following Him, I will never be led astray. We can count on that!
Remember that, there is no freedom in having no direction in life.
Can't
even explain how grateful I am to be an American. I feel so lucky to be
born in a country with religious freedom and rights. Especially to have
grown up in good old Idahome. No matter what anyone else says, I think
it is one of the greatest places in the world. It's a hidden gem, that's
why it's called the Treasure Valley. So we celebrated one of my
favorite days of the year with another Zone Conference, which happened
to be my last one. That was really bittersweet. It was so perfect though
because we talked about obedience and the great importance of being
obedient to the commandments of the Lord. You have no idea how many
times I've been told that "I can't keep those commandments because
they're just too hard and I like to have freedom." I've thought about
that a lot. I remember one of my companions telling me out of the blue
that there is no freedom in having no direction in life. Commandments
are what keep us free from sin, which puts us in bondage. I always
pictured Heavenly Father as the big man upstairs that just gave us
commandments and told us what to do just for the heck of it. When we
understand our God, our Heavenly Father, we understand that He literally
is our father. When our parents give us rules, is it because they hate
us and want to make our lives miserable? I used to think that, but no!
It's because they love us and they want us to be happy. They know that
with no direction in life, us kids would just run around doing whatever
we want, making mistakes and doing things that will not ultimately make
us happy. I understand God so much more. He's our Father. And He loves
us. He wants more than anything for us to return to Him. So He gives us
guidelines and direction. And these laws are just and trustworthy. So
we're not sitting in the mist of darkness, not knowing what to do. We
know our end goal and we know how to get there. It's all in the plan,
and this plan was all thought out so well. And sometimes what we think
will make us happy, in the end will not. That's why we trust in the
Lord and know that He knows the bigger picture. I know that when I'm
following Him, I will never be led astray. We can count on that!
Remember that, there is no freedom in having no direction in life.
Zone Conference
Cool
story: This last week a guy from Iran showed up looking for the church
here in Thailand. He was baptized in Ukraine two years ago and then
moved back to Iran and lived there for two years. And as you may know,
there is no church there and religious freedom isn't really a thing. He
missed the spirit that he felt so abundantly that he felt at church and
from the members that he decided that he needed to do something. So he
left his job, packed up all his stuff and moved to Thailand with
literally no plan at all. Just the thought that he wanted to live
somewhere where he could practice his beliefs. I was so amazed by this
story. We taught him for a bit and afterwards Sister Martell turns to us
with tears in her eyes and says, "we just have no idea. People back
home just have no idea what they have." I took being a member in this
church for granted so much. I was so lucky to live in a place where the
church is so established and where there are many that practice the same
beliefs as me. We just take it for granted. So many people in the
church here are the only members in their families! And I am so amazed
and touched by their faith. I was so grateful for Brother Johnny in
helping me realize how lucky I am. And how grateful I am to God for
something I took for granted for so long. I am so grateful to have what I
do.
Another thing I'm grateful for.... First time prayers.
Those are my favorite. People feel awkward about them and sometimes
think we're crazy for asking them to pray to this unseen God that they
still don't understand. But they try it. And their prayers are so sweet
and sincere. It's their first time talking to God. They didn't know how
to before and now they do. It's a privilege to be there in those
lessons. It's amazing.
Well, next week is transfers. Don't
know where the last five weeks went but they're gone. Time is such a
weird thing. Love you all! Hope you all have a great week! Don't forget
to count your many blessings. We are blessed with so much.
Down by the Bay!
Salad with these two sistas! Sorry we had already
eaten all of it by the time I thought to take a picture!
One of the english students made me a dream
catcher necklace. Now we're all matchy!
Sister Jamie, My greeniehood sister from Korat!
Crepes in a cone
Sister Shee from Myanmar just got back from her
mission in Hong Kong! She was in our zone
in the MTC, it was so fun to see her again!
Sister Stephanie from Peru made us some Peruvian food.
It was so delish!
Switch offs with our Chiang Mai sisters!
Thailand!
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