A new transfer, old area!

Dear Mom,

This past week was such a great week. First off, I have a new companion. Elder Curtis as moved about 30 minutes away to an area called Rangsit. My new companion Elder Parker, is such a great missionary. He's such a hard worker and you can tell how much love he has for missionary work and the Lord. I am ever impressed with his diligence and quiet dignity. He is so humble, too. His example of patience and hope is so powerful.

This week we've started talking about the vision we want to have for this transfer and I'm very excited. I'm confident we're going to see much growth in the zone this transfer especially. We have a lot of new district leaders in the district and they each bring something new and great to the zone and their areas. Next month, we'll have stake conference. Every stake conference, I'm so excited. This stake conference, we have a goal to form a new stake. The formation of stakes is a huge, huge sign of growth and increasing strength in His church. I am still so excited whenever we talk about it.

At the start of this transfer, I received in the mail from the office a set of papers called 'Death Papers'. The last six months of a missionary's mission here, we are given a comitment to sign to Sprint to the Finish. Having received my 'death' papers this transfer, I've had a great opportunity to reflect on how I have changed and grown on my mission. Seeing change in ourselves is something that I feel is really hard. We often fail to see the growth in ourselves and get stuck in a rut of "Am I making sufficient progress in becoming more like our Savior". I really like the talk "What Lack I Yet" by Elder Lawrence. If we ever wonder what we lack or where we should improve, we can remember we are promised personal revelation on this. While thinking about the goals that I want to set for the rest of my mission, I've thought about where I was, where I am and how it has been getting here. I've thought about what I REALLY want to get out of my mission. I've set some 'Sprint to the Finish' goals of things that I've decided that I'm going to continually ponder on as the letter stated to do. We had a great lesson in Elder's Quorum centered entirely around 'What Lack I yet' and we talked specifically about taking time out to ponder on spiritual things. I've thought about this and also looked at Elder Curtis's example too. He was really good at self evaluation and he often mentioned about how he has changed on his mission. I've decided to take the commitment from the joping papers and Elders Quorum and really ponder on these things everyday.

We've had several great experiences with ward leaders here, stake leaders, and meetings with the ward and stake from ward council to stake training on member missionary work. I feel a great sense of urgency, excitement, seriousness, charity, humility in the work at this time. The work is progressing well. We have several investigators progressing well, others who are facing the wall of faith, and others who are just starting planting their faith.

I know that this church is true. I know that God lives and loves us. I know that the Lord has more blessings in store planned for us than we can imagine. I know that as we pray for the gift of charity (Moroni 7:48) and for the opportunity to help and serve others (Alma 6:6), the Lord will put opportunities in our path and we will see the truthfulness of the promised joy in DC 18:15-16.

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ขอแสดงความนับถือ,                                           Sincerely,

เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน                                                        Elder Sun

ผู้สอนศาสนา                                                                 Missionary 

ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย         The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย                                   Bangkok, Thailand Mission

derrikk.sun@myldsmail.net 

We move from a water war into the last few days of the transfer

We move from a water war into the last few days of the transfer

Dear Mom,

Even though having Songkran in the middle of the week, it was still a great week for the work here. We've seen many miracles and tender mercies as we have heeded the Spirit more diligently. We just sent a letter a few days ago, so I figure a brief email would be okay. We've been able to meet a lot of new investigators the past few days and something I've learned the past few days is making the most of every situation and opportunity that the Lord puts in our path. Sometimes I still feel a kind of fear of man or just a lack of powerful motivation to dig in and tackle the things the Lord wants me to do head-on. When I put total trust in the Lord and press forward with faith, that's when the miracles will happen. We met with a dozen new investigators in just the past three days and some even came to church last Sunday. Through faith, hope, and charity are miracles brought - Moroni 7.

Elder Curtis is such a great, well-rounded missionary. He has helped teach me to see the positive and be optimistic in every situation. This principle has really made be be able to see all of the blessings the Lord is trying to give us, but sometimes we unintentionally reject them. As we go through everyday with a cheerful attitude, faith in the Lord, and a heart full of gratitude, I've realized that we don't need to worry or be frustrated because the Lord is in His work and is perfectly capable of doing it.

I know that God lives. Through sad times, cheerful times, and all times in-between, He is with us and guiding us. As we remember Him and His son, we will be able to see just how much He loves us and all of the blessings He desires for us will be revealed in His time.

Other news-the investigator that I wrote about in Roi-et who did not get permission to get baptized (S.Aom) is still going strong.

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ขอแสดงความนับถือ,                                           Sincerely,

เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน                                                        Elder Sun

ผู้สอนศาสนา                                                                 Missionary 

ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย         The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย                                   Bangkok, Thailand Mission

derrikk.sun@myldsmail.net 

It's another great day in Thailand for Songkran

Dear Mom,

Because of the Thailand new year, our p-day has been changed to day. Today we will spend all day in the biggest annual water-fight in the world.

I am tremendously grateful for the Gospel. I have seen how it has changed, blessed, and completely repaired families. We just watched general conference on Saturday and Sunday and we just had our zone conference yesterday. We got to have a training segment during zone conference. We talked all about the Gospel's power to create hope, love, and help our families. I am ever grateful for the amazing experiences and revelation I have received on my mission. This past week has been revelatory. 

I've learned many lessons this past week. I have learned a greater importance of families and that love truly is the greatest motivator. These are both lessons that I had thought I knew before my mission, but through sincere prayer and experience, I can see how narrow my view really was. I'd often think of Gospel principles and circumstances as just that. Doctrines that we teach, things we do just to go day by day. I had very seldom thought broader than the principles that we taught. This past week I've looked back and realized that as deep and as complex as the Gospel is, in its essence, it is actually very, very simple and the underlying most important 'principle' is love. God is our Father. He loves us. He wants us to return to live with Him. To be happy. All that He has given us is to that purpose. For that is His work and His glory. He wants our families to return with Him. Because He loves them. He gave us our families on this earth to learn, to grow, to love each other so we can experience a part of the love that He has for us. He has given us the Restored Gospel so we can know just how much He loves us. He has given us the Book of Mormon because He loves us. The Plan of Salvation, the Restoration, the Gospel, temples, the priesthood, Atonement, trials, our weaknesses, His Spirit, everything is because He loves us. We always talk of His love, but this past week I feel like I have really seen His love.

General conference this past session talked heavily on families and love. I believe I am continuing to see the overarching message of the Gospel. In all its complexities, the Atonement is at the center and is because He loves us. So much more important than just what we say, but how we say it, why we say it, and the conviction of our hearts. The Spirit acts on brief, powerful, simple, direct declarations of belief - a conviction of gospel truth.

Also, I just got an email from a member in Sakon Nakhon that Brother Axe's wife just got baptized and that Brother Game, Sister Anny's younger brother also just got baptized! Both Bro.Axe and Sis.Anny were so good and wanted to share the Gospel with their families. We worked with Bro.Axe for the entire time we were there. He would also talk about helping his family. We taught his wife, two daughters, and son on separate occasions. Bro.Axe would fast and pray for them regularly. Everytime we would teach or meet with him, he would talk about helping his family. Now the stone is rolling and I am so, so happy for them. What a witness to the importance of families.

I know that the Church is true. I know that we all can experience the true joy that comes from sharing the Gospel, from sharing love. I know that those who will honestly and earnestly seek Him, will find. I have found so much joy and happiness through knowing that God lives. There is nothing that can or will have a greater influence in our lives than when we know that God lives and loves us. I know that as we continue to draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. There are many, many things that I have learned on my mission, and many many more that I have not ye learned. But the greatest thing I have learned - the single most important thing is that He lives and loves us.

This is the Lord's work. He directs it, and if we are faithful and diligent, he will make us tools in His hands. I testify of each of your ability to bring others to a knowledge of the truth! You can facilitate incredible changes in peoples' lives by helping them receive the restored Gospel! All you must do is be willing to talk with all those that you meet. Develop relationships of trust and love with others, and pretty soon they will start to ask you questions like, "What makes you different?" "Why are you so happy?" or "What would you do in this situation in my life?" These opportunities will surely come to all who have a desire to be a part of the Lord's work.

I love you all! Please let me know about the missionary experiences each of you have! I hope you all feel The Savior's love this week.

PS.Mom, I think you should plant a variety of vegetables in the garden this year. I would recommend spicy peppers, bean sprouts, and other things that are made in Thai dishes.

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ขอแสดงความนับถือ,                                           Sincerely,

เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน                                                        Elder Sun

ผู้สอนศาสนา                                                                 Missionary 

ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย         The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย                                   Bangkok, Thailand Mission

derrikk.sun@myldsmail.net 

It's almost Songkhran again.

It's almost Songkhran again.

Dear Mom,

I am always impressed with people's faith. Especially youth. We often seem to have investigators who seem good and may progress well at first, but shortly after begin to fall away and decrease. It seems so hard to try to get investigators to 'stick'. It is something that we have been working on for so long and it looks like we still haven't figured it out. Therefore, I am exceptionally impressed with those people who do stick, who progress, and you can see they have a lot of faith. I can say that one of our strongest progressors right now is a Sister Wiew. She is only 17 and so innocent, but seems to have a ton of faith and a great desire to follow and know God. Ever since day one, she has read and prayed. Her biggest obstacle was coming to church on Sunday, but yesterday, she came. We've taught her some commandments, and she's willing to keep them all. We asked her 'What do vision to you have for your future in terms of career?'. She answered with wanted to be a psychologist so she can use her understand of Heavenly Father to help others. Way cool. She has only met with us four times over the span of the past two weeks.

A great experience that happened this week was the opportunity we've had to try to work closer with some members. We took two solid, long time members out to visit a less active member. We had visited her numerous times before, but never had gone with other members. When we went it was a good visit, we got to talk about many things together, but I didn't realize the actual impact of the visit until theSunday after - fast Sunday. Both members stood up and bore testimony of the importance of missionary work and showed gratitude for the opportunity to go out and visit that member with the missionaries. I felt that it was so cool that both of these members were to excited and grateful. This was an additional testiment to me of the importance of good member missionary work. More than just how great it is to have the opportunity to visit with members, but how much more powerful a visit is when friends, brothers and sisters, take time to visit each other. When that LA member had the chance to have a good conversation with friendly faces, I feel like that had almost a greater influence than any message we could have shared ourselves.

Similarly to this, the investigator I spoke of before has almost a similar story. Challenges and concerns are sure to come up with everyone, as did with Sister View, but because she had 1)strong faith and 2)other strong friends, she will be alright. In several lessons this week, one super powerful and strong source of support has come from members. Members have been able to answer questions better than we could, share personal experiences that we've never had before, and bear specific testimony that is more relevant for her. Members who understand their role in missionary work and are excited about it are so, so, so essential and just flat out powerful.

This past week I've studied much about how we can help people progress. What is it that makes some people continue to learn and others drop. What makes Sister Wiew different from others. The message we give to everyone is the same - it is the Atonement, reading the scriptures, prayer, faith, and we talk about the Love of God with everyone. I've started to feel that it lies with giving honest, sincere service. We do what we do not to simply increase the size of the ward, or increase the growth of the stake. Increasing attendance at church or finding new investigators is not our sole purpose or goal. Our vision is the salvation of the children of God and love is the motivation. That, and only that, is what will enable us to do the Lord's work in the Lord's way. The key is the Spirit. Preach My Gospel highlights the need to understand what a missionary, investigator, and also a member needs to feel. It is the Spirit, it is genuine, sincere love for them. All three (member, missionary, investigator) must work in unity. With love, and with the Spirit. "The power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." "When conversion takes place, it is through the power of the Spirit." This Spirit will "follow naturally when a person is willing to experiment upon the word" and they will "come to feel the gospel is true". The Spirit will follow as we do the things we need to, but it is entirely up to us on how we present and bring that message. People will be more willing to act when they know and more importantly feel of our love and God's love. All of Sister Wiew's concerns have been resolved by Heavenly Father through prayer, reading, and revelation through peers. I think that is the one of the single most powerful factors in one's progress and ability to feel the Spirit. We need to pray and read regularly to build up our own ability to stand strong, and support/love/serve each other. Surround ourselves with strong influences.

I am also very excited for General Conference!

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ขอแสดงความนับถือ,                                           Sincerely,

เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน                                                        Elder Sun

ผู้สอนศาสนา                                                                 Missionary 

ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย         The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย                                   Bangkok, Thailand Mission

derrikk.sun@myldsmail.net