Monday, October 3, 2016
Into the last few days
Dear Mom,
--
There are only a few days left and it feels like a super strange transition. It's amazing to think back on all of the experiences and events that have happened up to this point and see how fast time has actually past. This past week we've had zone conference, our P-day was Wednesday, and as we were biking back home, my companion strained or pulled a muscle in his back which caused him so much pain he could hardly stand up. We spent the next couple of days resting, applying ice, visiting the hospital again, and taking it easy. It's been an interesting change in pace from the usual speed of missionary work. It has given me such an opportunity to sit back and reflect. We've (I've) started saying a lot of good byes here in Thailand, a lot of final testimonies and it's a super strange feeling. there has been so much that has happened, and it's time to prepare to move onto a new chapter in the book of life. As things change and happen around us, I've realized it's entirely our choice how those things affect us. We either progress in becoming more like our Savior and develop the qualities of light, or move farther away and each day we have the choice in what we will do. We don't always get to choose the consequences, but our actions most definitely affect our journey in this life. We have all of the say in who are and who we will become, no matter what happens to us that are out of our ability to control. There was a great quote in Zone Conference: "Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming." We have the power to shape our own destiny, and it starts with our desires.
I can summarize the entire past two years by saying that I now know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is our savior. We all grow up with basic beliefs of right and wrong and religion when we grow up. That basic belief is enough to get us through many of the challenges and trials that we all face in life, but I've seen that there comes a point where we need to establish for ourselves who we will be and will become. The basic beliefs we have are not enough. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary, help others know Heavenly Father, and also for the opportunity to come to know our Heavenly Father and our Savior for myself.
See you in a couple days.
Picture:
The Chiang Mai Squad
--
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
The Last Full Week
Dear Mom,
--
It has been an amazing experience these past two years. There has been more experiences that have opened my eyes than I can recount. The greatest miracle is watching people's lives change. The Gospel has the power to change and turn lives around. I love seeing the eyes and spirits of God's children light up as they become to feel of God's love. As they come to feel the truthfulness of the Gospel and recognize the blessings that their Heavenly Father give them, they experience a change of heart that is wrought by the Holy Ghost.
This past week it has rained a lot and our ceiling in our teaching room sprung a leak. In less than two weeks, mold has grown to cover up over a third of the ceiling and now we can't use the room anymore. Last week, we had 12 students come learn, but for the next few weeks, we'll teach at the church instead.
One new investigator we've met with a few times this past week is the daughter of an investigator who was baptized in Don Mueang this transfer. The missionaries in Don Mueang called us and told us that this new member's daughter goes to school and lives in Chiang Mai in our area. We met with her and have started teaching her. Her and her friend came to church this pastSunday and we'll be able to keep meeting with her. She's also been fellowshipped very well by members. This past week I feel like it's a great blessing to see the enthusiasm for missionary work increase a little bit. It's very easy to forget just how important missionary work is. We know it's important, but for some reason, we often don't maintain a fire or passion for sharing the Gospel as we should. Even as missionaries, we see how difficult it is. Last week, a member just recently returned after finishing her mission in Temple Square, and they're such a great example of a great member missionary. They're very excited and willing to do missionary work. When we called them to help us teach, they were ecstatic and excited to get to help. They're a great example for me to help me remember what being not only a missionary is all about, but also a disciple of Christ. I'm excited for the future of Chiang Mai and the church here.
We see miracles every day in missionary work. God works miracles in our lives according to our faith. Our faith must consist of both a belief and action. May we have the faith that miracles can happen, and may we have the faith to make miracles happen.
Pictures:
Last Zone Conference
Baptism of little Brother Sprite
Mold in the teaching room
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
Monday, September 19, 2016
It's a wonderful day.
Dear Mom,
Sorry to have to make this email super short, we ran out of time today. My companion has been a bit sick this past week and we haven't been able to work very hard this past week, but the Lord still worked miracles this past week. We've meet a few people who seem very interested in learned the Gospel and knowing what it is that our Heavenly Father wants for them. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share this message with others. That God lives and loves us and has a plan for each and everyone of us.
--
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
Monday, September 12, 2016
Elder Shipp is awesome!
Dear Mom,
--
Being a missionary really is a tremendous life changing experience to serve God and serve others that can't be found anywhere else. A once in a life time experience. As I am nearing the end of my mission, I have really seen how true that is. It really is all that we hear it to be. It's indescribable the meaning and significance that serving a mission holds. Even for those who have not served a full-time mission, we really all are full-life missionaries and can each have a part in missionary work and feel of the joy of missionary work. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and loves us. Heavenly Father knows us perfectly and He has given everything to us. He can guide, lead, and direct us as we strive to know His will for us. We will feel of His love in our lives and the Spirit will guide us back to Him. Keep learning, keep growing, keep praying, keep trusting. Keep reaching out to others and most importantly, reach out to Him.
"6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen."
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
Monday, September 5, 2016
It's been raining a lot
Dear Mom,
--
I hope everything is doing well back home.
We had special Zone Training this past week. We focused on how all we do, in studies and planning and service, is for our investigators - for others. When we give of our selves, we'll really find ourselves.
I'm so excited that I've been able to serve the Lord for these past two years. As time has seemed to fly by and is coming to a close, I can't help but think about all of the things that I've learned and continue to learn everyday. I want to serve the Lord and serve God as best as I possibly can and help as many of His children as I can in the time that is left. I figured that probably the best way I can do that, and really the only way to do that is to just try to show love to everyone.
I know that God lives and He loves us. He has helped me along every step of my mission and I have seen His hand in the lives so so many of those around us. All things denote there is a God and the opportunity to serve Him and His children has really opened both my mind and my heart to Him. He loves us more than we can possibly imagine. He desires for us to be truly happy and be able to face all of the challenges and trials in life with success. We all have these things come up, and He is willing and able to help us overcome them. He allows us to face these trails in order for us to grow. More than just having the opportunity to face opposition to help us grow, but He also allows us the opportunity to help others over come the opposition in their lives. Heavenly Father can answer the prayers of His children through us. As we follow the Spirit, He can lead us to HIs children that have needs or concerns that He has prepared us to answer. He will lead us to those who need lifting. In the Liahona from this month, I like the message "Practice Pure Religion". In the section 3. Care for the Poor and Needy, it describes the experience of one man who was placed in just the right place at the right time to help someone. I know that He is placing many people at many times of lives that we can help, serve, and love if we just learn to reach out with pure love.
This is one thing that I've learned on my mission, specifically in the most recent months. When we love, we serve. When we love, we sacrifice. When we love Him, we serve Him. When we truly love Him, we serve others. I am so thankful for the blessings that I have received from the Gospel and for His tender mercies. It's indescribable.
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
Monday, August 29, 2016
The Final Countdown
Dear Mom,
--
I am devastated to hear about Sis. McCuen. I'm at a loss for words. I am grateful for Heavenly Father's plan for us that gives us hope in even the darkest of circumstances. Let the McCuen's know they have many prayers in Thailand.
This is the last transfer, and I'm training another new missionary, straight out of the MTC. Elder Shipp is a great guy. Willing to work, and like all new missionaries, humble.
The past few days, I've been a bit sick and physically drained, but in no time at all I'll be back up to 100%.
It was very exciting this past Sunday where four investigators were baptized into the church and another was confirmed in the second branch. Also, a new RC was called as the Relief Society Secretary. Things are looking up in Chiang Mai. As far as our branch, it still feels like there are a lot of obstacles to the work. We're going to work hard and see miracles, after I get to feeling a bit better.
Please know that I love you all and pray for you often.
Mosiah 28:7 "And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites."
Pictures:
1. Elder Shipp says the food is very spicy.
2. A few baptisms in the second branch! Three of them are a family who had been coming to church for several years. They had been investigators for over 5 years, but weren't able to overcome all of the obstacles they had until now. The Lord really does have His timing.
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
Monday, August 22, 2016
We Really are Instruments
Dear Mom,
Just as a surgeon uses fine tools in operations and trusts that those tools will work right, the Lord uses and trusts each of us in His work. The Lord love us and trusts us, but it is up to us on how much we will trust and love Him. We may not know how much we can do, but He does, and without Him, we really can't do anything.
The time in Chiang Mai this past transfer has been full of great experiences. I feel so blessed to be a missionary. Chiang Mai definitely has its challenges and we're working on figuring out how the Lord wants us to work. The Branch and the Lord have big plans for this area. This coming up transfer will be my last, and I'm going to try to make it the best by working my hardest at being a balanced missionary. Transfers is this Thursday, we'll see what changes are in store!!
I'd say the most important thing I've learned this past transfer cycle is to truly learn to find joy in the journey, no matter how things work out. To not let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. No matter how large of distance we may have to go or what we may have to do, we can always choose how we respond. We can choose to trust in and follow the Lord.
Chiang Mai has been hard this past transfer. Earlier this week, I had a feeling like our district of missionaries were crumbling down around me and we were feeling very humbled. Everyone had felt that Chiang Mai was being especially difficult. I can distinctively remember a follow-up call I had where the Sisters mentioned how discouraged they felt and lack of success they've seen that they felt like they wanted to cry. I really didn't know what to do. I felt like we were being tested and challenged and tried to a breaking point. I prayed in my heart during that call and promised them blessings and shared a scripture. I told them to keep doing what they knew was right, "Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing." and the next day the Lord would do wonders among them. A few days later, we had a family call us and tell us they wanted to change religions and wanted to learn. They lived in the Sister's area and right after the Sisters had met with them that day, another couple walked in and wanted to learn and they all went to church this past Sunday. The Sisters were so, so happy and called us more than once to thank us and express their gratitude for the blessings the Lord gave them. I felt like I really was an instrument in the Lord's hands and the promise that I felt prompted to tell them was fulfilled because He really is in this work and He really is aware of all we do. The Lord has his timing, and it's wonderful. I feel like it is times like these that make me marvel at and feel appreciative towards our Heavenly Father. No matter how we may feel or what we may experience, He will never leave us and we'll never be alone. He knows and loves us.
Because we're imperfect, we often have a tendency to look past the good and the blessings God has given us and see only the bad. It's easy to be caught up in what's wrong or hard, but it's so much better to be caught up in the good/happy things. Also remember to keep loving, believing, and trusting.
Mosiah 27:36 "And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer."
Also, since the start of the transfer, our English class has quadrupled in size.
Today we woke up at 4am to see the sunrise, ate a $4 all you can eat breakfast buffet, slept with some tigers, and went to a waterfall.
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
Monday, August 15, 2016
As the days go by...
Dear Mom,
--
There have been so many great large and small miracles this past week. We had a baptism on Sunday. It was the first baptism that my companion has had on his mission and the first baptism our branch has had in three months. At the baptism, the investigator shared how she learned and progressed in the Gospel. At first, she just came to learn English and had no desire to learn religion. She had actually first learned with two sister missionaries several months ago, but since then, hadn't learned again. She learned and progressed a little at a time until the point where she wanted to be baptized, but her parents wouldn't agree to it. We visited her family, and now her parents are a lot nicer towards the church. She shared her testimony that she knew that her prayers had been answered and that Heavenly Father had softened the heart of her family. She also brought her brother to her baptism. Her parents didn't come, but we're still working with them. They are super nice people.
One of the greatest highlights this week has been able to work with members in visiting, finding, and teaching. On Monday, we did FHE at an awesome family with an investigator we invited, Tuesday we taught a new investigator where a member shared a super power, personal testimony of the love of the Savior.Wednesday, we went and visited an RC/LA who introduced us to a friend who she encouraged to meet with the missionaries and learn English. That evening, we also visited the family of an investigator who wanted to be baptized, but whose family was firm believers of Buddhism. The member who went with us played a huge role in helping open their parent's hearts. On Thursday we had two members drive us out to visit the house of another family of investigators where we ate dinner and taught a short lesson. On Friday, we visited another awesome family of four who were members. We were going to just stop by and say hi, but they invited us in, fed us pizza, and you could really feel the Spirit in their home.
On Saturday, we had a movie night activity where were watched the Joseph Smith story, Finding Faith in Christ, John Tanner, and Wilford Woodruff. We got a lot of great feedback and had many LAs and investigators so up. It was so great! We also made homemade popcorn for the activity. It was quite the cooking experience popping popcorn in a little pot in the Zone Leader's house.
We also had zone training this past week where we talked about finding investigators and service. The most powerful message there was about love. The love of giving freely. I couldn't keep from crying and all during the first half of the training, I don't think I could even say anything because of how chocked up I was. As we discussed and watched videos about this love, I kept thinking about all of the great experience I've had and people that have been great examples to me. I thought about all of my mission companions, mission leaders, family members, friends, and others. It was a super powerful training and I've attached a short video that came out in Thailand awhile ago that they showed. I had first seen in a long time ago, and I remember the first time I saw it, I was impressed by it, too.
I'll keep it short this week, but looking back, I realize that the work really is full of miracles. The Lord knows how hard we work and He is leading it.
Pictures:
1.Baptism!
2.Giving is the best communication video.
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
Monday, August 8, 2016
When life flashes before your eyes...
This past week, we've been keeping ourselves busy out in San Sai. We still bike a lot. Its been hot, but sometimes it rains. I'm still continuing to learn the area and we're still trying to work hard and smart. It feels like this transfer has been rushing by and the various experiences I've had on my mission thus far keep flashing back to me. This morning, we visited a waterfall which was a bit slick. I slid and almost fell and during that moment, it like my whole mission flashed before my eyes. Luckily I didn't fall and we kept moving, which is what we're doing here in San Sai. It's a very challenging area and sometimes it feels like we slip at times, but we also catch ourselves or if we do fall, we allow Christ to lift us back up so we can keep moving.
One thing I've learned on my mission is that we cannot do it alone. We really can't do very much, especially His work, if we try to do it alone, without our companion, the members, or the Lord. We need Him in every aspect of our lives. I loved the article in the most recent Liahona "Only with the Help of God". It is only with the help of God that we can accomplish true miracles in our lives and in the lives of others. It's only with His help that we can find true happiness and find the strength to overcome the obstacles that we face everyday. I find that every time I think of Him and of Jesus Christ's Atonement, I'm honestly filled with a sense of peace and the assurance that everything will work out for our good. I'm thankful for the Gospel and the opportunity to take this message to all of God's children.
We're very excited for a few of our investigators who have been making slow, but steady progress. One of which, Sister Faang, told us that she would be baptized this coming up week. It kind of took us by surprise, but we've seen how much she's changed and how far she's come. She believes that God lives, the Book of Mormon is true, and that Christ really did Atone for us. However, she is faced with the big obstacle of her family not supporting her in her decision to follow Christ. It's a hard obstacle to meet for a lot of people, especially since family is such an important thing in our lives. She has the desire to return to live with God with her family, but wants her family to accept it as well.
Despite many trials, we've also seen many blessings. We've been able to see many less-active members begin to return and have a desire to help build the Lord's kingdom as well as a few good investigators that we are continuing to hold onto. The single best thing to help others is to help them feel the Spirit, feel of the love of God. That is the single most powerful thing that can change our hearts.
The Lord will help us, enable us, guide us, teach us, and walk beside us as we do all we can.
Pictures:
1) It's a rainbow!
2) The highest point in Thailand!
Monday, August 1, 2016
Chiang Mai - Out in Sunny Side
Dear Mom,
--
This past week has been full of great experiences. when I first got here, I thought everyone was actually saying Sunny Side or Sun Side, but I quickly learned that it is actually called San Sai. It means sandy ridge.
We've had some great miracles and trials in the work in the past week. We've been facing a lot of good trials and have had a lot of good experiences to learn and grow. We've seen the Lord helping us a lot. Our first week we felt very good like we were doing good work and seeing results. This past week, we've been tried a bit and have faced several obstacles, but we are still trying to keep up our faith and enthusiasm.
Being able to talk to the branch leaders and district leaders some more, it seems like the big vision is to form a Stake (in the distant future), but in order to do that it we need another branch in Chiang Mai and then some wards. We sat down with the Elder's Quorum President and we're on track. There are less active members starting to come back and a few a good investigators and Recent Converts who can progress and get the Melchizedek Priesthood.
This past week, we've had two investigators really impress us. Sister Faang didn't know anything about Christianity before, was taught twice by the missionaries in the past, but never made much progress. She stopped coming to church and the missionaries never had much chance to teach her. These past weeks we've been able to meet her regularly, she's picked up her scripture reading, and has come to church every Sunday. She told us she wouldn't be able to come to church this past Sunday, but then she called us on Saturdayand said that she decided to come to church instead of going out with her family. It's cool that she chose to come to church, but a little sad for her family, but she seems much, much more willing to act than before. She regularly comes to our English class and has been coming to the regular Family Home Evening activities as well.
As I approach the end of my mission, things seem to be speeding up. There's no time to wait. Just like what Jacob says, it's time to prune and dig the vineyard one last time so give it your all and work with all diligence because soon it'll be time to gather the fruit and when we see all that has been done, we will have joy.
Alma 27:27 "And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end." -We need zeal!
The picture of the hedgehog is actually a porcupine. It was drawn by the greenie who is unofficial my daughter because her trainer or mom is the other sister missionary in our branch. Also because I haven't changed my hairstyle.
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
Monday, July 25, 2016
Second week in the Tourist town
Dear Mom,
I am loving Cheang Mai! The work is continuing to progress well here. We've agreed that we're already seeing things begin to change and build. Elder Saunders seems pretty excited for this transfer which is actually going to be his last transfer in Thailand before moving to serve in Laos. We're working hard and giving it our all. I learned so, so much in my last area and I'm seeing ways to apply what I learned in Don Mueang and also from the past entire two years. I'm excited to work with this Branch/District and help them achieve their/our goals.
Elder Saunders is a fantastic missionary. I can see him being super great in Laos. Here, too. His Thai is way good. All the members think he's been here longer than I have. He's got a great personally and is so friendly. He's got a great attitude for the work, but isn't too stressed. He's got a great heart.
We have met with several new investigators that seem very good. We've met several people who, even though they don't know much about the Savior yet, they feel like they have a desire to learn about Him and follow Him. I've seen the power that the Spirit has when we read and pray. We've seen many, many blessings from the Lord this past week in growing our area. I'm very, very excited because we also had the chance to meet with the District leaders and hear their visions, thoughts, and goals. San Sai is very much like Don Mueang was. A lot of the members live here, away from the church and we need to start 'building a branch' out there. We're starting by doing the very same things we did in Don Mueang and I feel like the Lord really did prepare me to come here.
I'm excited to serve the Lord and to serve these Thai people until the last day and beyond.
Pictures:
1. We went to the "Grand Canyon". But we couldn't swim. Okay food and view though.
2. The baptismal font in Chiang Mai.
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
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