Dear Mom,
This week has been a very busy, productive one. We spent the majority of this week on switch offs with the district leaders in our zone. We're also getting moved in. Things are going great with getting settled in. We're excited to have a full week of hard work next week. Oh, and Elder Curtis and I are way excited to be companions for another transfer. I'm also excited to be serving with Elder Noyce, and then Elder Stevens again. They'll be moving into our district next transfer. There are a lot of things to be excited for. Later today, we'll be having a baptism for two investigators in the Pakkret ward. I'M WAY EXCITED. I was there when these two were first invited to learn about the church. They were actually first contacted at English class. We did conversation/interviews with them that day, the first Tuesday of the transfer, and they have come to church ever since and have stuck with it. One of them actually didn't pass their baptismal interview the first time. This week, I've actually had the chance to re-interview two baptismal candidates. One here, and one in Bangkhen. In both interviews, I could tell a real difference. I can sum it up by saying you could really see the repentance and change that the two of these people sought. After having failed the first interview, they felt very sad, of course, and disappointed. But this experience only motivated these two to take a deeper look into their experiences and of what they knew and then relearn from it. I learned that the simple things - reading and praying everyday - weren't being done as regularly as they should. They went back, did the things they knew they were supposed to do, and were more confident, and sought a more solid confirmation from the Spirit about what they should do. I feel like the opportunity to interview for baptism has been one thing that has really opened my eyes to how one becomes more fully converted to the Gospel. As an interviewer, we pretty much gauge the depth of other's testimonies. It makes me think about the depth of my own testimony as well. Each interview is an experience that I will not easily forget.
I had interviewed the investigator in Bangkhen several weeks ago and failed her mostly because she had not kept the Word of Wisdom. She had partied a little too hard for new years. I was super impressed with her honestly. Through her honesty, she definitely also showed that she understood the importance of the ordinance and covenants that she was going to make. I asked her, in all earnestly, if she felt that she would be able to keep all of the Lord's commandments for the rest of her life - including coming to church every week and keeping the Word of Wisdom. I reviewed and focus heavily on the principle of faith and how our faith must include confidence in the Lord and in our willingness to keep His commandments. She answered honestly and said she wasn't sure. I told her she could be baptized if she would be comfortable standing face to face with the Lord and be able to answer Him with all honesty, too. She didn't pass that interview and later that week, I learned she had not come to church at all and stopped answering her phone. I felt very horrible. I feel that I am pretty strict, or at least pretty hard in interviews and I felt that by the way I said something made her not feel comfortable at church or something like that. I have a mindset that the standards of the Lord are high. I just remember how I felt when I learned she had 'disappeared'. I prayed for her a lot the following weeks and often think back to that and other interview experiences I've had. After a while I felt that it would be okay and it wasn't until just last week that I was informed she hadn't totally disappeared, but had again come back to church. I was told a little bit of her story before interviewing her again the next week. She had felt so, so disappointed that she didn't pass. She had many expectations and when learned that she wouldn't be baptized, I guess she was a little sad, a little angry, and a little put-off. She said that she cried a lot and went through a hard time after that. When I asked her why she thought this second interview would be different from the first, she essentially told me the whole story of what happened since that first interview. She confessed that she wasn't 100% honest in that first interview because there were some things that she knew she needed to do and hadn't been. She hadn't read or prayed as honestly as she should. She said, yes, she did pray everyday for the most part, but not ALWAYS. Didn't always think about Him as often as she should. She talked to her grandma one day, who was very strictly Buddhist and overall not very supportive of her decision. Her grandma told her that if this was something she was certain about and knew it was true, she needed to do it. I felt like this investigator had gone through a period of much needed introspection during that time. It was just such a cool experience that I cannot adequately put it into words. She described that since then, every thing she did, said, every action she made an effort to think about Him. She knew God was real and loved her, and the time between interviews, she met with numerous other answers to her prayers that strengthened her confidence. From her grandmother to friends. She mentioned that when the missionaries met with her again, they tried to commit her to be baptized again - tried to give her another baptismal date, but she rejected everyone because SHE wanted to be the one who decided. SHE wanted to make sure it WAS the right thing for her. One of the amazing things about being a part of the Lord's work is seeing people who are probably more converted than yourself.
The other interview, the one for Pakkret, had a nearly identical experience. They didn't really do everything they needed to and during the interview, it was like an entirely different person. Elder Curtis was the one who interviewed her at first, and she didn't have a very good interview. When I heard all about her, I was honestly worried she was going to fail again, but she was good.
We had another interview, too. Sister Bee. She was solid. She is kind of quiet, and doesn't really smile very much. And in the interview she was very, very quiet - and very nervous. I was just as strict in that interview. She said she had past by the church several times, and one day, as she was getting ready in the morning, she had an undeniable urge to go to church. She finished showering and immediately went. She met with the sister missionaries, and we had her baptism on Thursday. I asked her if she felt ready. She said she was ready every since the second week of learning after having prayed and felt that God was real and looking over her and loved her. I told her if she was happy to be baptized, she should smile more. The day of her baptism, I'm not sure if I've seen anyone smile that much. So awesome.
There have been just so many miracles and amazing experiences that I couldn't possibly attempt to list even a portion of them. I cannot cover even a hundredth part.
Some highlights other than those interviews would be the three switch offs we did. I first switched off with Elder Wannasri. He is a super nice guy and a good missionary. I was way impressed with his desire to do good work. To do the Lord's work in the way the Lord wants it done. His companion hasn't been working at his 100% best. Elder Curtis switched off with him and will likely write about him, but as for Elder Wannasri, he kept mentioning how the work that they have been doing hasn't been the best. I believe Elder Wannasri is so great, although, being in the newness of a mission, it is easy for one to feel like they don't have a large ability to create change, especially in a companion. Elder Wannasri is great, just trying to deal with a difficult situation. I believe the experiences he has had during his time serving in Don Mueang will be a great stepping stone for the rest of his mission. During my switch off with him, I could see how diligent and sincere he is with the work. Sometimes I feel like he is not tactful, blunt, sometimes terse, but his heart is pure. That's the best way I can put it. He's like a complete kid at heart, but in lessons, he's spiritual, too. We taught a great new investigator and we gave her a baptismal date. She accepted it and it felt like the easiest thing. We taught and they listened, understood, and accepted what we taught.
I learned that many things may not go according to plan. It's important to be a very easygoing, relaxed person. Have a head on straight and like to work. Sometimes, we may need a good push to help get going. Something to motivate.Give our all to working. Don't hold back any portion of work you could give. Sometimes we don't work in our own area or may feel like waiting for direction. Being cool and calm is important. But not always. Even I am guilty of it sometimes. In the work of salvation, we cannot be casual.
I was very, very impressed with Elder Christiansen. He seemed to be comfortable taking charge of situations and is actually a very powerful teacher, too. I felt that throughout the day, I was learning entirely from him. When inviting, he put his heart into it. When teaching, he is able to keep lessons simple, clear, short, to the point, and share personal testimony. I believe he is making very great 'progress' for being only on his fifth transfer. I can tell he is confident, but not too cocky. He kept me on my toes pretty much the whole day. I asked him what he liked most about his mission so far. He said he liked that things don't go according to plan. How everything happens in a new/exciting way every time. So true.
As for the rest of the zone, I believe the Bangkok North zone is progressing very well - at least from what I can tell. Just looking at the numbers, it looks like the overall average is that all things are progressing. From last transfer's averages to just this past week, I think it shows overall growth. However, I cannot as easily see into the spiritual and personal progress of others. I trust in whomever the Lord has called to be the new district leaders and trust that they will be capable of receiving the revelation and guidance necessary to carry out the Lord's will for their districts and respective areas.
I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a help-mete in the Lord's precious vineyard.
*Sorry for the long email. Elder Curtis is working on school registration.
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