Mother's Day, Week 30 Thailand, Hump Week!

My Half Way Mark!!!

I've officially been a missionary for 9 months this week!  Sooooo crazy! But I'm still constantly being humbled by my lack of language skills and my dependence on our Heavenly Father! And by the fact my companion just received her death papers! (which is what you get six months before you finish your mission. LOL).  So I'm still a greenie compared to her LOL. 

We Skyped home today so my message will be brief...and full of pictures.  J  

 

 

Wednesday my companion and I taught the Chanrianprakampi class, or in other words, the Book of Mormon where starting the Isaiah chapters...so it was kind of harder.  LOL  I tried to explain a verse but I kept having them read the wrong thing so I think I just confused them more.  LOL  My wonderful khuu (companion) was there to save the day!  #readinginthaiproblems. However I feel like my reading skills are definitely improving.

The crowning moment of the week however was our investigator Nadiya getting baptized!!!! She is soooo amazing and smart and I wish you all could meet her!  We went to clean the font and we realized that it hadn't drained from the previous week...so that was gross.  More importantly, how were we going to prep for our baptism!  Sister Janti and Pat (our RC) helped us clean it and then we prayed it would drain.   LOL   After a really long time it finally drained and we were able to refill it and it all worked out.

 

 Baptisms are always a little interesting but this one went repetitively smoothly.  Well I've got to but I love everyone! and Wish you all a good week!

Love,

Sister Marina Peterson.

พฤษถา (May) Week 29 in Thailand

This was the week of baking...a rare experience in Thailand; due to the lack of ovens.  But we had birthdays to celebrate and members that wanted to learn, so that is how I spent my p-day and Thursday dinner hour this week.  It was sooo awesome to eat an American desert...that was actually sweet...and eat frosting that didn't taste like straight butter.  :-)  We found Betty Crocker cake mixes in the local Tesco, so it was totally not impressive but all the members were taking pictures and writing down the steps ... not sure they understood that a cake mix has everything already in it already...because they were a little too impressed.   :-)  We also taught one of the members how to prepare Easy-mac which an Elder left for them.  They thought it was bland and ended up putting red pepper, sugar, and fish sauce in it!  I love Thailand!

 

 

On a more spiritual side, I would say that my lesson learned this week is that Courage is a commandment (Joshua 1:5) We are commanded by God to be a courageous, cheerful, obedient people and this is possible when you really have a testimony that the Lord is always with you.  Much of being a missionary and even just a Christian is finding joy in the tender mercies of the Lord which can range from, KFC workers bursting into a dance routine during your Saturday Lunch hour, finding a semi sketch but mostly just awesome hidden pathway along the Khlong in the city of Bangkok, or finding a person prepared by the Lord ready for Baptism. Much of being a Missionary is being courageous when others are heckling your beliefs, staying hopeful when situations don't turnout the way you want, and being obedient always alone, with friends, always.  "Obedience is always a choice"   Elder L. Tom Perry.  I have a Testimony the Blessings will follow!

 

 

 

Love,

Sister Marina Peterson

Week 28 Transfers again...

 This week was transfers...(TRANSFER 4!)

Drum roll please.......

Neither Sister Stevenson or I moved Yeah!  Another awesome few months in Bangkapi!  But Sadly a lot of the Elders moved…but we had a great time and the new Elders are Awesome. I think we will have a great transfer!

ตอ่ไป้ (Next) we met with a lot of formers this week and its really made me realize that everything is on the Lords timing and we never really know where we are at in someone’s conversion story but that this is the work of Salvation and every little thing counts. In a Broader scope every action we take and story we share and person we meet has a great purpose in the plan of salvation. In our Heavenly Father’s Plan.

 

My adventure of the week consisted in singing in the Bangkapi Ward Choir this Sunday!  Atigaan (bishop) is a musician so he specially arranged Where Love Is for us to sing (in Thai of course) and he asked Sister Stevenson and I to come listen to it and practice it.  We were so excited... until Saturday rehearsal where we learned that we were the only two singing the part...then we were terrified...because we are not professional.  LOL  Once again I'm a missionary and I have to do things I would never do other wise. I think it went pretty well on Sunday.  We were doing it for ward conference... so the Stake Presidency was there.

 

Our church has like these chimes that sound like the announcements of some magical occurrence in a Disney movie and of course we used them in our musical number.  :-) ... hope the Stake Presidency Enjoyed it.

 

I love Thailand!!!!!! 

 

Coconut Jelly

 

Sisters Boon and Bua

 

Sister Stevenson, Sisters Boat and Ploy

 

 

Love, the Singer, Sister Peterson

Week 27 Top Sunday! Apr 20, 2014

Week 27  Top Sunday!  Apr 20, 2014

This week was pretty much typified by Sunday.  LOL  Our district had 7 baptisms!  This is a record for the Bangkapi Ward.  It was so cool and just another testament that the Lord is Hastening his work!

 

 

 

We started out this week with one semi progressing investigators...and after Songkran (New Year’s) ended (we didn't contact during Sonkran because we would just be soaked with water LOL), we contacted a lot to find new people prepared by God!  We were so blessed to meet several promising people and receive referrals from the wonderful members of Bangkapi!  We finished out the week with 3 daters and 4 new investigators!

 

My companion has been sooo great and fun to work with and I've learned so much from her!!!  Sadly we have transfer meeting this week (how did another transfer go by??) and she will probably move  :-(   but we will see.... anyways funny story of the week:

 

The Elders are teaching a Laotian girl who got baptized this week. Her name is Ploy and she is adorable but sometimes she doesn't understand Thai...especially when I'm speaking with my farang accent  LOL.  At the beginning of the week we talked to her and asked when her birthday was?  To which she replied the 20th (Sunday) we were so excited because phaudii waa, she was also getting baptized on that day and it was Easter!!!!  We decided to buy her cupcakes and go sing happy birthday to her at her house after the baptism... as a district and with a few members.  We decided Elder Clarke would start filling out her baptism record with her and ask for her birth date, then we would all start  singing.  LOL  But when he asked, in stead of saying "Today!" she was like...I don't' know and went and grabbed her passport.  LOL  Long story short not her birthday !!!

 

So we aborted our plan ripped off the birthday tag from the cupcakes, while trying to conceal the laughter from the accompanying members, and gave her baptism cakes…and tried to make it look normal that eight people came by to watch her fill out her baptism record LOL   So awkward but hilarious.  We decided she didn't understand the birthday question and just guessed we were asking about when she was being baptized.

 

LOL  One day I will master this language...One day :-)

Love Sister Peterson

 

A facial expression says a thousand words!

Week adjust…Missed a week’s post. 
April 20 Week 27

So last week Sister Stevenson and I had the opportunity to clean and fill the font Sunday morning, at six thirty.  Blame:  the lack of preparation in our District.  LOL  Anyway, this little monster came out of the drain. I was dying but we managed to capture and kill said monster.... #missionaryproblems

 

Happy New Year. Songkran Week 25 Apr 15

Week 25 in Thailand - A Wet One

Marina’s email to me:

 

So today is Songkran (Thai new year) and I’m sitting, completely soaked, in this internet raan.  LOL  The country has turned into a big water fight party and it’s been way fun.  But as a result, I don't have much email time this week…

Sister Stevensen is from Montana but she has been at BYU for as long as I have.  She's been in country 9 months now...so she is two transfers ahead of me.  Sister Painter is serving here in Bangkok.  She’s in another zone though but I know her-ish.  She is companions with Sister Croft who was in Phitsanulok with me, my first transfer.   I'm really cold because I’m wet.  Every street has a huge group of people ready to douse you with water and put baby powder on your face.  LOL  There is no point in going home to change....

 

 

Where is Marina?  Bottom Left.

Only Marina could be cold in Thailand.

 

This week has been the best!  It started with an awesome Easter activity for English Class which was really fun...I love teaching English here because it helps me understand Thai so much better... which IS definitely needed LOL.

Then we had a switch-off on Friday with the Sisters in Sapansuun, which helped me realize that I need to be more confident and unhesitant as a representative of Jesus Christ because our message change lives and everyone needs the opportunity to accept it or not.

The other bonus of the week is we got a new investigator, Jaa, who is adorable and sooo humble . Then it was conference week end which I could write endlessly about.  It was so amazing and exactly what I and the world needed to hear.  I challenge everyone back home to read the talks and apply them to your lives because they are meant to prepare us, comfort us, and teach us.

Our Investigator Mink, got baptized after the Sunday sessions which made the week in and of itself!  I will send pictures next week because I don't have my camera. 

Which brings me to Monday!  And why this letter is so short. Today is Songkran, Thai New year.  Thus we have been out celebrating, getting soaked and having fun!  We went to a mall in downtown Bankok with members and other missionaries to take part in the massive water fight that is Bangkok right now.   :-)   SO fun ... must carry the tradition on when I get home.   ;-)    After we were tired and heading home on a bus, I realized the water fight was not over, as families and large groups of people were throwing water through the bus windows and bus passengers were using there water-guns to soak everyone outside the bus.  LOL. Also its impossible to contact right now because on every street those same families are waiting to drench you with water and smear baby powder all over your face.  :-0    I love Thailand, I love being a missionary, and I love Songkran .

 

Right in the middle of things.

 

 

On the Right.

Love you all,

Sister Peterson

No Blog...Week 24

We didn't get a blog this week (April 6-7).  I emailed back and asked for her to forward it again but it never came.  Just these great pictures.  You know what they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Me and Sister Stevenson, riding on a boat on the Khlong, up to Asoke...fastest way to travel in Bangkok is via sewer water.

LOL  Choke, choke

 

 

 

On the streets of Bangkok, sharing the Gospel.

 

Bangkok ward house.

P-Day Adventure (Week 23)

 

Check'en us out!

What we do everyday when we leave our condo.

 

Mannie break at the Mall.

 

Local resident, not a mustache.

 

God Bless America and Thailand!

Week 23 in Thailand, 30 March 2014

Week 23 in Thailand, 30  March 2014

This week had flown by!  I know that I always say that but this was probably the fastest.  Last P-day we had the opportunity to go to lunch with Elder Hartman’s Father who was here on business.  He talked to us about his mission and how it opened so many doors for him throughout his life.  But more importantly, he talked to us about how the Lord knows and loves us all and has greater plans for us then we can imagine.  I know that I'm here in Thailand because Heavenly Father has great plans in store for the people I'm teaching.  Greater things than they can even comprehend. The first step is being baptized and accepting the gospel. I've seen this for myself as I'm asked to do hard things and accomplish those things with the help of the Lord.

 

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were kind of a blur of contacting, teaching, and work work work.  Friday, one of our investigators got permission from her Father to get baptized, two had there interviews to get baptized, and another decided she was going to get baptized when she turned 18 with or without the support of her family.  All miracles...all examples of faith to me, and a reminder that the Lord can do his work with or without me, but he chooses bless me with the experience of serving.

 

Sunday was an even bigger example of that, as our investigator Grape and Nang were baptized!  We had two walk-ins at church who are very interested in learning about the gospel.  Grape (13) was terrified to go into the water, felt so bad but she was baptized, felt the spirit, and gave a beautifully inspiring testimony!  It was such a good day filled with tender mercies and I didn't really do anything but show up and share the message of our Savior... so humbling.

 

 

 

 

THE Funniest thing that happened to me this week,  :-)   Atigaan (bishop) wanted the missionaries to perform a play about home teaching...so that’s how I spent third hour at church,   this week semi-improving play about home teaching.  I think the members really appreciated it because it’s such a foreign idea to them and they need an example to launch them off.  You can add this to my list of things I would never done outside of a mission.  LOL  Not saying it was a quality play but after Sister Stevenson and I nixed the elders requests for a crippled grandmother on her deathbed, who couldn't talk, but wanted her family to take her to church one last time before she died...  I think it was pretty good.  :-)

 

An exciting update on the hastening of the work:  The Thailand Bangkok record was just broken!  We had 200 baptisms in the month of March!  The average before I came in was 30-50 we had 100 since November and in January we had 165.  The Lord is hastening his work!

Love, Sister Marina Peterson