Week 8, a week late.

Next week is transfer week for my mission so we’re all getting anxious.  This is the first time I’ve realized I'm not always going to get to see my investigators get baptized or even  be teaching them.  L  But I know that where the Lord wants me to go is where I need to be!  And I need to trust that everything will work out for the best.

Having said that, this week has been really a good week.   Our investigator, Daa, is getting baptized!  She had her interview on Saturday and she's Phrawm (ready).  It been so awesome to see her testimony spark and grow!  Since I've already started I’m just going to recount this week backwards.  LOL

So, Saturday we taught our investigator family with the Branch President (Prataan) and his wife.  They are so awesome!  It was Sister Keg's (Prataan’s wife) birthday even and they helped us!  Then they took us out to lunch.  Their so loving and their testimonies are inspiring.  They helped me remember that there is no better way to spend your day than serving others!  Also, Sister Keg gave us fried bananas...which I've never had before...and I may possibly be addicted to them.  LOL They were amazing and I’ve had them everyday since, which means two other times so I will get back to you on the addiction status.

Thursday was also amazing because we got a new investigator!  Her name is Pim and She’s a sassy Thai lady who's awesome!  We met her contacting on Wednesday, which is was really random because we were out looking for a dress shop so we could get a baptism dress made for our investigator.  We found a shop in the middle of no where but we decided to go contacting first.  We found a talaad (market) and just started contacting.  There, we didn't really have success there but Pim was the last person we talked to on our way back to the dress shop!  I've had a lot of experiences like this. When we have the faith to be obedient, Heavenly Father blesses us!

Last story but probably the funniest, as a preface, I’m just going to netnaam (introduce) Thai Culture.  Everyone talks about being fat here. The first thing people greet you with is oh you look fatter than last time or skinnier. Old grandmas come up to you in grocery stores and grab the fat on your arms and start talking about it, etc.  Anyways, everyone hates it but everyone does it.  LOL  So on Tuesday, we were teaching our investigator-family and we were reading in the Book of Mormon and started talking about how God loves all of his children. The Dad, Bay, starts talking about how we’re always changing but God is the same.  He loves us. Then Sister Gung (who's heavier by Thai standards) turns put her arms on my companions and my legs and says, yeah and he love all sizes too. LOL So rang maag (ouch!)  It was really funny! A lot of things Thai people say would be offensive in English but they’re just funny in Thai. Well, at least they understand God's never changing love! Only in Thailand.  J 

Love, Sister Peterson

KFC...yum?

Painting at the river on P-Day.

Week 8...no email.

We didn't get an email this last week...

So, I am posting a portion of a letter to my parent.  It is an amazing letter and everyone will wish they were in Thailand.

1 Dec 2013

Hi Grandma and Grandpa,

 

Well it will probably be Christmas by the time you get this letter.  I hope your holidays have been enjoyable.

Today was Fast and Testimony Meeting.  I still can’t really understand much of what people say but I can pick out words here and there and some phrases.  I am constantly trying to string them together so church can be exhausting mentally but I always feel strengthened and uplifted from the spirit afterwards.  I wouldn’t survive the week without that.

…In your letter you asked about the animals here.  Well, there are so many dogs in Thailand, but they aren’t cute, they look diseased and some of them actually do have leprosy and look like they are falling apart.  We always joke that they are zombies…

 

Ok readers, it is at this point where Marina’s pen makes a jerky, thunder-bolt type of mark on the page.  Here is why:

Sorry about the mark, I just saw a spider by my desk, roughly the size of my hand…my companion and I just screamed and the other Sister (Native Thai) had to come in and killed it.  J

Anyways, they have cats also.  In fact we have, like 10 that live outside our house but they’re not as creepy as the dogs.  …I would say the animals I see most often are lizards:  small or large.  They’re everywhere, even in our house.  L  I’ve yet to see a horse but I’ve seen an elephant!  Just walking down the street  J  (My editorial:  Bet you won’t see that in France, Evan) 

They don’t have cows here so beef is rare and more expensive, except at McDonalds.  Pork, Chicken, Fish, Squid, Shrimp are always available, also frog, but I’ve yet to try it.  LOL

Love you!

"You don't have to post this, but..."

One thing about being on my mission and in Thailand is, I have finally kicked my nail biting habit.

I couldn't resist positing this.  I think it is a big deal!  Look how beautiful her hand is!

Week 7 in Thailand

Hello everybody! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

My district celebrated by going out for pizza at lunch which is sad in comparison to the traditional feast, but this has by far been the best Thanksgiving Holiday of my life!  Our branch had a Thanksgiving party on Wednesday.  My companion and I made a Pumpkin Pie and we had two investigators come which was so awesome!  

 

I would definitely say the crowning moment was on Thursday when our investigator Daa bore her testimony about Heavenly Father answering her prayers during our lesson.  She is so amazing and prepared for this gospel.  The more Sister Mullen and I teach her the more I realize that the Lord prepare people to receive his gospel and that as missionaries, we are basically just traffic directors showing people where they can find it.

 

So at our training meeting in Chang Mai last week really focused on the Book of Mormon and how it’s the keystone of our religion, jing jing (literally).  As my companion and I have been helping our investigators start reading and understanding the Book of Mormon and how it can bless their lives, I've seen their testimonies blossom.  Which brings me to the most exciting news of the week, we had three investigators at church yesterday!  My companion and I have been praying for a family to teach for a while and a couple weeks ago we began teaching Sister Guung and her family and yesterday they came to church for the first time!  They are such a sweet family!  They live really far away its like a forty five minute bike ride but I always really look forward to teaching them!  As we've focused on the Book of Mormon with their family I've realized how important this book is to the world and how important it is in my own life.

The Book of Mormon teaches me daily and every time I read it, I learn so much about everything but especially how much my Father in Heaven loves me.  As I read the Book of Mormon in Thai, I obviously understand less of what its saying but I understand more and more the power that comes from studying from it.  The last big change in my life this week was receiving our missionary reflector vests.  J  At first glance I may have not been excited to wear them but I now realize they are actually really cool, safe, and get people to notice us when we ride our bikes!  So, Mom and Dad, you don't have to worry about me biking anymore.  J 

 

 

Well Everyone, have a great week and I Love and miss you all!

My question: Weather

Were you effected by the Philippine storms?

 

NO.  We didn't get effected at all.  I am in the middle of a hot, humid oven and didn't feel a thing.

From the Mission President

Note from Thailand Bangkok Mission President

 

You may have noticed that Bangkok Thailand is in the news.  There has been some civil disobedience and protesting at several government buildings.

These demonstrations are very localized in the Bangkok area. Most of the missionaries are nowhere near these locations. Missionaries have been

instructed to not go near any of these locations and to stay away from any large gatherings.

 

Your Missionaries are safe. We will continue to monitor the situation.

 

President Senior

Thailand Bangkok Mission President

Week Six in Thialand

Well this week has been busy and fun.  My weeks are always busy aren’t they?!

We got a new investigator, Noot, on Tuesday and he wants to get Baptized! We are still working out the date but he is so ready!  We've been teaching him all week and asked him to pray about being baptized.  On Friday, Miracles of all Miracles, he got his answer!  We were fasting as a district for our investigators and this was a great reminder that God is waiting to give us blessing, we simply just have to ask!

On Thursday we had switch-offs with the Sister-training-leaders!  I was with Sister Reedy, who has been serving for over a year.  We had an amazing day of contacting and lessons.  Even though Sister Reedy wasn't familiar with anyone we taught, I could definitely feel the love of God through her, as we taught truths to God's children.   The longer I'm out here the more I realize that in this church, we are blessed with the capacity to love those we are called to serve, be it a Sunday school class or an entire country of people.  I can truly say that I love the Thai People!

These last few days have been really busy because we had Mission Tour, which is when a member of the Asia Area Presidency comes and trains all the missionaries in a zone.  So yesterday I was in Chiang Mai!  It was a busy day but I learned so much.  Much of the conference was on the power of the Book of Mormon.  Reading the Book of Mormon and praying to know if it was true was how I gained my testimony of the Restored gospel.  The real blessings of this book come from reading it and studying it over and over again.  Every time I prayerfully study the teachings from the Book of Mormon, I receive guidance to my problems and answers to my questions.  It is truly THE Word of God and I'm so thankful to have it in my life.  As I've shared this book with others here in Thailand, I've seen it change hearts and lives for the better!

 

District Sisters and my companion.

 

In the back of a 'song taw'

After the conference we got to eat with the missionaries in our zone and because we were in Chiang Mai, they have really good Western food!  So…for the first time in months, I had really good pizza and got to meet really awesome missionaries doing the work we all love!  I love Thai food but the pizza was a nice reminder of home.  Will miss you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Love Sister Peterson

No mail Sunday night.

It would be way too easy to flip out, think the worst, panic!  Keeping my cool, I decided she had a busy day or was out of town for a conference or something to do with her mission. 

I opened my mail tonight and I was right.  Conference and her prep-day got pushed back a day.

Blog and pictures will soon follow.

One month mark! (Week 5 in Thailand)

I've been in Thailand for more than one month now, which is so crazy!  Time definitely moves differently when your a missionary.  This week has been a week of trying new things and not knowing before hand how they will work out!  So basically, it’s been a week of trusting in the Lord! and I can't say with a complete testimony that he will never let you down!

I've been struggling with inviting people (inviting:  where we go out and talk to a lot of people and invite them to learn with us.)  My language, though improving, is not up to conversation level, as I still have a hard time understanding people.  So I was feeling ineffective and unhelpful to my companion but the Lord knows what we need.  On Wednesday our Zone leaders came and trained us on the new method of “inviting” we are adopting here in Thailand. It’s actually really simple.  We just ask people if they are interested in being baptized and explain a bit about it.  I love it and it’s inspired.  As my district has been using this new method for the past week, my testimony that the Lord prepares people for our message has grown so much.  He truly is Hastening his work! 

Also we got a new investigator this week.  Her name is Daa and she's so awesome!  She loves studying the Book of Mormon and I can see her personal testimony of it growing every time we meet.  She has a date to get baptized and I'm so excited for her!


Which brings me to the highlight of my week:  We've had several members help us teach lessons this week and I've have never been so spiritually uplifted, as I felt this week listening to there personal testimonies of Christ and I know that our investigators felt it too!  Members can make such a difference and when we work with them it makes me so happy!

Sister Pink (Member) and Sister Peterson

This week in Thailand was a holiday called Leey Gatan (I don’t actually know how to write it in English?) but for the last four days people have been sending off floating lanterns and little boats with candles, around the river to let go of their goals of the past and start a fresh year.  I can't help but relate it to the atonement and feel grateful for the opportunity I have to repent and take the sacrament every week.  Anyways yesterday was the last day so, unfortunately, I won't be riding around looking at a beautiful scene from the movie Tangled anymore.  L  It was fun while it lasted! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful week,

Love Sister Peterson

 

My Kitchen and ice cream sandwich.

Look close, it is on bread.  LOL

 

Yum!

  

Excerpts from my letter to Dad:

I’m really excited to Skype! I miss home for sure but every time I’m starting to get discouraged or tired, something miraculous happens and I’m ready to work again…It is a lot different than when you served your mission.  We have email, digital pics, Skype!  You just had stone tables and chisels.

On Friday we went to a member’s home and learned how to make Thai food.  It was beyond awesome and next P-day, we’re going to try to replicate…wish us luck!

I can't wait for her to make it for ME...without the hot peppers that is.

Now that it’s been long enough that you don't have to worry...I got hit by a truck on my bike, like week one.   My injuries are thoroughly healed, tender mercies that they weren't more serious.  I was riding and a truck decided it didn't want to go out of the parking lot any more and backed up into me…scary. 
I was lucky and had only minor injuries.  More lucky for my wallet, my bike was okay!  LOL  So God loves me too!  He is watching out for both of us.

I also scolded her for not telling me earlier. 

Week 4 in Thailand...Three months have gone by fast!

Best week EVER!

This week was so awesome!  First off, on P-day my district went to “Suko-thai,” which I loved!  It was nice to recharge for the week!  Then, Tuesday was English class!  I love teaching English.  My students are so amazing!  We’re currently planning a Thanksgiving Day activity for the English students and my advanced class is going to put on a short skit of the First Thanksgiving.  It’s going to be so fun!  

 

At the end of English, one of the missionaries gives a spiritual thought.  This week it was about our bodies being temples and the plan of salvation.  So many people asked for pamphlets and made appointments with us.  It was amazing.  It helped me remember that everyone has the light of Christ and when were teaching the Doctrine of Christ it’s so familiar to them.

 

This week for “district inviting,” we decided to get complicated and set up a Tree of Life - Iron Rod activity that kids could do while we invited their parents to read the Book of Mormon.  We made rice-crispy treats (except with cornflakes) in the shape of fruit and hung them from a tree.  Then we tied a rope between two trees and had people follow the "rod" to the fruit.  J  It was really fun but the treats were really hard to make because Thailand doesn't have marshmallows and rice-crispies are really expensive here.  In the end, it all worked out and most importantly we got a new investigator from the activity!!!!!  What really made this week awesome was she came to church on Sunday!

 

Miracles Happen!  I've studying a lot this week about keeping the Sabbath Day Holy and attending church.  As a missionary, when members, investigators, and whoever are at church, it makes my day because we go to Church to take the Sacrament and strengthen our resolve against temptation and receive support from members.  Church is always the best part of my week! 

 

Love to everyone, Sister Marina Peterson

 

 

Bathroom...

At least we have a toilet with a lid.

 

This is the shower-thingy I was talking about

last week.

 

Snow...

Snow...even though I'm in "The Oven" of Thailand right now, I still don't miss SNOW  :-) 

I am going to miss Thanksgiving...Grandpa's mashed potatoes especially :-).  Our district eats dinner together on Sundays because the Church has a kitchen.  We all tried to make cornbread and chili.... LoL  no corn meal in Thailand .... and the chili was more like a thick tomato paste soup,  but it was still nice :-)  I really miss cornbread!

--Inserts from Dad's email.

--Fun Fact:  49 people read Marina's blog last week.  I am so happy you are enjoying it.  I sure am!

Week Three in Thailand!

Things have been crazy as always, but I love it!  I'm starting to adjust to, adopt, and love the cultural differences in Thailand.  First adjustment was to our shower...we don't really have one.   LOL  The bathroom is more just like a giant room with a toilet and sink and then as a bonus, you get a shower spray, hose thing on the wall...but the water is warm so it’s not bad.  J 

Next, the kitchen.  What can I say, we don't really have one.  J  We have a fridge and a hot plate, which we use to boil water for “mama” (the Thai version of Top Raman)  Mostly we just by food from the street!   Reason, because it’s delicious and really cheap!  So I don’t cook much which is a change for me but I'm still eating a lot of really good food.  No one has to worry.  J 

The food.  It didn't take adjusting to, in fact I thought I would have to adjust because I would be obese from how much food I eat every day.  Luckily that hasn't happened.  Probably because of the biking.  LOL  Meat here in Thailand is interesting.  My whole life I’ve be taught that if you leave, even cooked meat, out for too long, it will kill you or something just as bad, get you really really sick.  But in Thailand, they kill and prepare meat, then it sits out for hours/days until it gets bought.  Sits out for hours/days until it gets cooked.  Sits out for hours and then you buy it and eat it and I'm still alive...as for the rest of the country, I don't know if they do the same.  We'll see if this is true in a year.  LOL  But regardless I’ve yet to eat something I didn't enjoy!

 

This week was really awesome because our branch had a Halloween party which we got to help plan and bring investigators to.  We had everyone eat doughnuts off of a string and race to make toilet paper mummies.  A lot of people dressed up as ghost/zombie scary looking Asian things, like from Asian horror movies…and then, because we’re in Thailand, the youth had a costume contest/ fashion show, which I got to judge.  J  We elected a popular Halloween King and Queen.  It was so fun and everyone loved it but what made it awesome was that a lot of my/our English students came!

Which brings me to English!  I love teaching English!  My companion and I teach the advanced class (because I can’t really speak Thai yet).  Half of our students are like 17 year-old girls and they are so giggly and cute.  Then we have a variety of people who are so sweet and enthusiastic in learning English.  Sometimes, throughout the week, I forget how much I love talking until I get to English Class and get to chat with the students!  (because my conversation ability in Thai is pretty low. LOL)  It also helps me remember how much Thai I have learned in such a short time.  I know that the gift of tongues is so real, because I’ve been studying Thai for like 1/10th of the time I studied German and I'm leaps and bounds ahead.  I pray every day for help in understanding and learning Thai and I definitely see the results, mostly when I'm teaching.  Sometimes, actually most of the time, I don't really know what is being said and then my “Khuu” (companion) looks at me and I just start saying things that I've barely studied and it always fits in perfectly....or so my Khuu says.  My testimony of the gifts of the Spirit, especially the one given in Luke 12: 11-12 or D&C 100 5-8 where we are promised that if we study and ponder truths we need not worry about what we will say because in the very moment we need them the, spirit will tell us what to say.

Yesterday was Fast Sunday and my “Khuu” and I were fasting for our investigators and the ability to teach them with the Spirit.  After riding around in the country side all day, sweating like crazy, we had one last appointment with one of our progressing investigators.  Though we were both tired and it was really hard to focus and understand what our investigator was saying, I know the Spirit was there, helping me answer questions and addressing concerns that I really didn’t know or understand what he was talking about.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary and to witness the power and the blessings of the spirit hourly!

Well, more next week I love you all!

Love Sister Peterson

 

Week two in Thailand!

Week two in Thailand!

We had a Firside in the branch I’m serving in, about missionary work.  Several of the Youth here want to serve and it makes me so happy!  President and Sister Senior came and spoke at the fireside which was so awesome!  The Youth were so excited that they made T-shirts with missionary tags... so cool!  Now that I’m serving a mission and I love it.  I just want everyone to serve and feel like I feel.

There is nothing better than serving other people.  It makes me think of the scripture that says when you are in service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God.  I've seen how the message of the gospel can change lives in such a short time here and I've seen it in my own life.  I know that the things our Heavenly Father asks us to do will make our lives happier!

This week I've also had the opportunity to host ward FHE and attend a Family Home Evening in a member’s home.  It’s so fun to see the kinds of games Thai people like.  We were in charge of the activity on Monday nights and the activity committee is in charge of the activity on Wednesday nights.  They really like games with punishments!

On Wednesday we played a game and if you lost, you had to throw baby powder on your face. J …Of course, I lost and they drenched me in the stuff.  L It’s called “bang” here.  I thought it was just a random tradition but when we went to a members home, we played a different game but we still had to throw bang on us if we lost.  LOL  Everyone thinks its hilarious...and it kind of is. J 

This week we had two less active families that we taught come to church. It was so amazing! We didn't even talk to them about church when we visited. Sometimes it’s better to just love people and show them that you care and then they will remember how much heavenly father cares about them! 

 

There is much more out here to do, many more to teach.  The economic level here is so diverse.  This is one of the poorest families we have visited.  They live in basically a shed.  But isn’t this little guy the cuties!!  And a home is a home.

 

 

Love,

Sister Marina Peterson.

This has been a busy week for my family.  Evan, my little brother, just entered the MTC to prepare for his mission in Paris France.  I know he will be an excellent Elder and will feel the spirit of the Lord, as I did while in the MTC.  Take advantage of your time there!  There is no place like it, except out in the field.

Wow, my family is all over the world now.

Love to you all!

Sister Marina Peterson

In the Field...week 1

Hello everyone!

I'm finally in Thailand!  It has been a crazy but awesome.  I began my first week of training by buying a bike (cagrayaan).  This is when it really hit me that I had to ride a bike around Thailand traffic!  When my room mates were teaching me how to ride a bike this summer, in preparation for my mission, I didn't think I really thought about it much...or at all.  I made them take me to trails because I was to scared to drive in Provo traffic.  J

 

In my few day of dodging motorcycles, maneuvering Thailand’s U-turns, and trying to keep up with my companion (not easy), I've found a few coping methods.  The first, singing hymns to myself so I don’t freak out and seriously praying for safety.  But it’s getting easier every day…what hasn't gotten easier is riding in skirt.  J  I am pretty sure I’ve flashed everyone in my area, at one point or another.  LOL  The other sisters say you just learn how to manage it, but they can’t explain how???  Oh well, till then I'm Marilyn Monroing it.  :-0

 

Anyways, I love the branch I’m serving in and I love the members.  I can’t understand 90 percent of what they are saying but they are so strong and kind. The members really want a meeting house and they're definitely enthusiastic in helping with the missionary work! 

 

My companion and I have a white washed the area, meaning she had never been here before and so we were kind of starting from scratch with investigators.  We started teaching an investigator that we met at his shop.  He's been thinking about religion for a long time because his parents believe in different religions.  We had our first official lesson with him and though my Thai is not so good, I definitely felt the spirit. There is a power intensified in your beliefs and I love bearing my testimony to the people of Thailand!

 

A cultural tidbit about Thailand.  Talking about peoples race is not taboo and they definitely do it often.  I get called a farang several times a day and everywhere I go I stick out...a lot.  The other sisters I work with are either khonthai (native Thai) or half Thai, so I really stick out.  J  The blessing side of it…it gets me noticed which allows me to talk to many people!  

I love you all and I'll write more next week!

I'm here...

A real missionary has to ride a bike!

 

 

 

With my trainer, Sister Mullenand

 

 

Arrived. Safe and Sound

VIA EMAIL                                                                                                            

 

Dear Brother and Sister Peterson:

 

We are happy to report that your daughter arrived safely in Bangkok.  She is in good spirits and is anxious to begin laboring in the Lord’s vineyard in Thailand.  I love Peterson’s enthusiasm and spirit.  She will be an amazing missionary. Your daughter will be oriented today by the Office Couple Elder and Sister Jones, the Mission Assistants and also by Sister Senior and me.  She will experience her first opportunity to meet people on the street in a “Dan Jones” street contacting experience later today.    Later this evening, Sister Peterson and her group will be joining my wife and me for dinner at the Mission Home.

 

Sister Peterson will receive her first assignment tomorrow morning.  Preparation day will be on Monday and she will be able to email you each week.  I am sure she will have much to share regarding her experiences with Thailand, missionary activities and first Sunday in her assigned area.

 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions during Sister Peterson’s missionary service.

 

Sincerely,

 President and Sister Senior

 dsenior@ldschurch.org

There will be 23 hours of plane ride ahead of me, but I can't wait!!  This is what the last 8 weeks has been about.

Sister from Thailand and her companion, assigned to Temple Square.

 

 

Our teacher.

 

 

Week Eight:

 

My last P-day at the MTC!!!! I'm so excited to get out into the field!  

 

This week has been one exciting day after another!  (Sorry for all the exclamation points but I…can't help it!!!!)  Reason one:  Our progressing investigator Eey, finally committed to baptism! I've probably mentioned this before but even though deep down I know these investigators aren't real, our lessons with them and their progression really affects me and from what I’ve gathered, the same goes for every other missionary.  Eey was really hard to figure out and understand his needs but on Thursday night, our lesson just went beautifully and my companion and I were really feeling the spirit and we ended our lesson with a baptismal challenge (we'd already ask a few times but he wasn't ready) and he said he was ready and he understood the importance of it!!!!

 

Reason two:  My district received our travel plans right before General Conference.  The time here was starting to slow down (painfully) and this gave my district the boost we needed to use our time wisely.

 

Reason three:  General Conference! For those of you who were unable to watch it, I urge you to go online and do so.  Never have I been so spiritually fed in my life.  The over-all themes I received from the talks were the Lord is hastening his work and Now is the time to develop faith and then put it into action.  If you were here at the MTC you would know this is true the Lord is hastening his work and so many missionaries have responded!  For me personally, I have been learning a lot about faith and the power that comes from it.

 

Several of the talks urged us to put our faith in Christ into action and I'm so excited to start doing that (especially as I head out to Thailand!).  I know that the Lord will bless us when we show we have faith in him (Ether 12:6).

 

Reason four:  I'm leaving for Thailand in 5 days! And finally…

 

Reason five:  My companion and I were asked to demonstrate how to begin teaching to all the new missionaries today!  This means we get to go in and teach one of the actor-investigators in front of a bunch of freshly dropped off missionaries.  I'm really nervous and very excited at the same time.  This is the first time my companion, Sister Maughan and I will be teaching in English so I sort of feel like I'm starting from scratch.  I remember our first day here watching this demonstration of teaching and thinking those missionaries are being awkward and I'm probably going to be twice as awkward but...oh well experience is worth its weight in gold and we'll just rely heavily on the spirit!

 

Love

Sister Marina Peterson