Week 16 in Thailand, 2 Feb 2014

It’s February! I'm not even going to get into how crazy that is, but….

This week has been challenging in a creative good way.  We've really been focusing on stepping up the Auxiliary programs in my area; one to find more investigators and two to have a fun, productive, and wholesome activity for the member’s here to enjoy and bring their friends to.  It was a lot of work, extra work, but it’s definitely paying off.

The Elders in my district got two new investigators from our auxiliary programs which include:   FHE, English Class, Youth night, and sports day.  We had several of our current investigators come this week and it was very rewarding.  I think one thing I've definitely learned from this, is that deep down everyone likes to have wholesome fun.  Not worry about getting into trouble or dealing with consequences. It’s a lasting kind of fun!  It brings a spirit that fosters friendship and happiness just like the gospel.

Speaking of making activities fun...if any one has any good games or mutual activities, feel free to Email them to me!  Please!

This week we taught everyone how to line dance...or maybe square dance?  I don’t know, but our resident Texan Sister missionary here was an excellent teacher!  We can always use new ideas!  Well Everyone I love you and hope you have a wonderful week!

Love Sister Peterson

Youth party.

Week 15 in Thailand (Jan 26 2014)

This week was a blurr.  I've probably mentioned this before but time as a missionary is weird.  This week being an example how the week just flew by, but at the same time it felt like one big long busy day.  But this really long day ended on the perfect note because we had three baptisms in my area this week!

Two of our investigators, Goong and Bae were baptized!  Goong is the investigator that I talked about God loving all sizes.  They are the cutest couple in the world and the highlight of my week was definitely hearing their testimonies.  We've been teaching this couple for a few months and I'm so happy I got be a part of their conversion.

The other weird thing about being a missionary is knowing that you have to work hard at learning the language and improving you teaching skills to help people convert.  When you think about the people you teach and their testimonies, you’re like, I contributed nothing to that.  I was all the spirit.  That’s the beauty of missionary work, it’s the Lords work and He just lets you be a part of it. 

I can (and have) literally walked up to people and say, “do you know what baptism is?  It’s…(insert what ever explanation I can say in Thai) and ask, do you want this?  The Lord prepares people to say yes…then learn with us and then change their entire lives…then get baptized.  They are happy to do it because they feel the love of their Savior and the blessings these changes bring to their lives and their families.

This leads me to the other investigator who got baptized this week.  His name is Gapp and he’s pretty much the coolest 18 year you'll ever meet!  cing cing.  The other sisters in my area were teaching him currently but he's been an investigator for two years.  So many missionaries were bursting this joy when he finally got baptized this weekend!  He didn't have parent permission to become Christian, but despite that set back, he has been the most diligent pseudo member of the Church since the missionaries began teaching him.  He was pretty much beaming at his confirmation on Sunday and when he bore his testimony after his baptism, the spirit was so strong...which means I was definitely getting teary eyed. He's been such a good example to me my entire time here in P-lok.

This week was difficult in terms of missionary work but the baptismal service definitely reminded me why I’m here, why I don't mind "long days", Thailand heat, or being tired.  It’s because I know this church is true, I know that it can bless people’s lives, and I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and I love him.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I love you all!

 

Love,

Sister Marina A. Peterson

 

 

Week 14 in Thailand

January is the month of Miracles!  “Asajaan” is “miracles” in Thai and to be “punny,” our mission has dubbed it Asajaanuary…it’s a Thai thing.   ;)  But honestly, this month has been tough, but every trial has made the many miracles seem even brighter!  My lesson learned from this week, definitely, that the Lord blesses us with miracles small and big. 

 

First miracle of the week was an awesome p-day!  My district decided to go hiking to a namtok (waterfall).  We got to the bus station and they'd changed the schedule.  We though all our planning was in vein and the trip would have to be postponed.  :(  But then we were talked to these taxi drivers who offered to take us…even though it was two and a half hours away (which doesn’t happen here).  It was a blessing nanon!  

 

Second miracle of the week:  When we arrived at the national park, they told us that buses going back weren't happening that day for some reason, lost in translation, but our cab drivers were like, eh we'll just wait here and then take you back, which kind of economically makes sense but still, they waited for like three hours for us to hike.  So amazing!

 

So, the third miracle of the day will take slight explanation:  The waterfall we were hiking to actually has seven layers so sometimes we were actually climbing over the water fall to reach the next layer.  Way fun but we didn't really know how to do it or navigate our way to the top. This mostly became a problem when we were at the third level/waterfall and there was no trail to be seen.  However this random Khon Thai Phuun was chilling on a hammock by the water and he just came over and showed us how to scale the rock and climb up to the 4th waterfall and then the 5th and 6th till we reached the seventh.

 

The entire way up we thought he was a guide that worked for the national park.  We were all planning our homecoming talks about how the Savior is a guide in our lives and he helps a reach a seemingly impossible goal.  -- Hiking is the best parable for most gospel topics ching ching.  As we were making our way back to parking lot, we realized he actually was just a random Thai person who lived in the area and was just way nice and saved us.  Miracle of miracles and a added another layer of depth to our parables.  :)  

The Fourth miracle was our Phusoncay's (investigators).  They were so awesome this week and two of them had their interview for baptism!!!  Which is happening this week! The more people we teach, the more I realize that every investigator is a miracle because they are so prepared by the Lord and literally handed to us from our Father in Heaven.

 

Best gift ever!  Fifth miracle of the week: Our district had two people get baptized on Saturday!!  Well their were many miracles in between but I feel it sufficient in saying we’re so blessed here in Thailand!

Every miracle to you,   

Love, Sister Peterson

 

Picture was to be posted last week...

 

 

Thai Sister's posing as Thai natives.

They never smile.

 

 

Last weeks post, to be done this week.

 

13 weeks in Thailand, 5 months in the field.

Week 13

So this week started off a little sad because ALL my pictures got deleted last p-day.   :(    I learned my lesson and I bought a jump drive to back them up from now on.  Despite this set back p-day was really Great.  It was my lovely companion’s birthday.  So we ate cake as a district and them the youth surprised her with another cake at FHE.  So fun!  Even though her birthday was on Monday,  I’ve been reaping the rewards all week as our investigators made us lunch and brought treats to our lessons.   :)   

We ate at a member’s house this week and I had pig intestines and other random organs for the first time…I gulped it down to fast though, cuz then she brought me another serving.   :)  I don’t know if I’m a fan but they put it in soup which helped because soup here is good! 

 

Marina forgets one of my favorite mission stories.  Elder Darlington and I were walking to our dinner appointment and we both agreed we did not like pumpkin soup.  Guess what we were served?!  I ate slow, which is hard for anyone to believe and Elder Darlington gobbled is up fast.  "Oh Elder, you liked it so much, here is an other serving."  Marina, you know this story and you should have remembered!!

Anyways this week has been a really busy missionary week, sorry I don't know how else to describe it.  We taught a lot of lessons, did a lot of contacting, and just worked hard.  We have four investigators preparing for baptism right now and so this week my companion and I have been seriously praying for them.   They are so awesome and prepared and I know that the Lord answers prayers and that if we humble ourselves and ask for blessings or guidance, He will be there for us!

My companion and I made Sunday night dinner for the district this week.  We caved and bought cheese which is sooooo paeng (expensive) and had grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup.  I didn't realized how much we eat bread in America until I came here.  LOL The last three district dinners we've had have been very bread oriented.  LOL  It’s our one American food night so, whatever. Thai food is great but sometimes you just miss what you grew up with :).   Everyone go out and eat Cafe Rio or Kneaders for me LOL! 

Well Love you all and have a great week!

Sister Peterson

 

Our P-day trip.

and I always thought Cliff was a nice guy.  Hummm

 

Week 12 in Thailand, Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It’s been a really weird week.  LOL  First off, everyone leaves town and goes visits family or something on New Years, so getting lessons and contacting was rough. 

Second:  A poisonous bug flew at my eye and (in the words of Thai doctors), "When I wipe it off I killed it and spread the poison."   My eye is pretty much disgusting looking.  LOL  And by “eye,” I mean the eyelid and underneath my eye.  Maybe that is why no one wanted to meet with me from contacting.  LOL

"Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a poisonous bug in my eye"

 

 

 

 

Third:  On Friday it was like raining ash here.  I have no idea from what but it was definitely weird. 

However, Three amazing things also happened!  1.  My mission president opened a new area up for Elders called Kangphenphet.  It is two hours from Phitsanulok (where I am assigned) and is also where my half Thai companion's family lives (Non-members)!!!!  So Saturday we got to take a long trip but again, and introduce them to the Elders.  I don't know if they will convert but they seemed to love the Elders and they said they would go to the first baptism in Kangphengphet.  It is on the 12th so we might get to go back and witness a baptism in the river!!!!!!!

 

The District enjoying French Toast.  Eat your heart out Evan...French/Thai Toast!

 

The reason I’m sharing this story with you is that, I know that the Lord has everything planned out and even when we don’t know why something is happening, I know that I can always fall back on and trust God and his plan for all his children!

2^nd Amazing miracle:  Our investigator Bae stopped smoking and he and his wife are going to get married this week and be interviewed on Saturday!  The Lord prepares people!!!  Nanon!

The last weird but awesome thing is:    I'm officially done with training which is actually more scary than amazing.... but it’s mostly amazing that I've been on a mission for almost five months!

Well the church is true and I Love sharing it with other people!

Love to you all!  Happy New Year!!!

Sister Marina Peterson

Week 10-11, Christmas.

With Christmas, comes being busy.  Marina had a lot of letters to catch-up on and emails.  She didn't have much to say in her letters home, so the weeks got muddled a bit.  Here you go:


24 December 2013  Week 11-12

Its Christmas!

I don't have much time and most of my letter will be pictures...sorry! Anyways we had transfers this week and I thankfully didn't move!  Neither did my companion.  But we got new missionaries in the district which means I sadly had to say goodbye to some really good friends but such is the life of a missionary.  However I have loved getting to know our new sisters and Elder! (Sister Jackson, Sister Greenwood, and Elder Hunt) We've bonded pretty fast because we spent the majority of the week on a bus entertaining each other and not getting a lot of sleep. :)

On Friday we had the opportunity to go to an orphanage and represent LDS charities. We mostly just played games with kids and helped them put on a Christmas show for the workers and mentally handicapped adults that stay there also. They were so cute!  A member of the church works at the orphanage so all the kids know the primary songs.  That was fun.  They loaded up our bikes with fruit.

 

Then we went to Chiang Mai on Saturday for a Christmas fireside!  It was so fun.  So it’s winter here in Thailand and everyone is sporting ski jackets and scarves.  I’m okay with a cardigan but I know that I’m going to be freezing next year (I will be home for some of Utah’s beautiful winter, yuck)  LOL 

Christmas isn't really big here but the mall and chain stores all decorate for it.... It’s been fun teaching our English students and…really everyone we talk to.  They ask, “What is Christmas and why is it so important to us?”  I am so grateful to have a Savior and for all he has done for me! 

This has been such a great Christmas because it has really been focused on the Savior and nothing else.

Well, Lots of LOVE.  More next week !

 

Christmas Dinner, potatoes and Corn on the Cob.

 

Sister Nancy (Member) contacting neighbor in her veg garden.

 

 

Week Ten, week nine overview...I am catching up!

Week 9-10, 15 December 2013

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 always be teaching them.   :(    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 good.

Our investigator, Daa, is getting baptized!  She had her interview on Saturday and she's Phrawm (ready).  It’s 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, on 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, and they even helped us!  

After teaching, they took us out to lunch.  They’re 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!  LOL  They were amazing and I’ve had them everyday since, which really means two other times, so I'll get back to you on the addiction status. Okay?!

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 nowhere, 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! 

The 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.  Anyway, 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 love 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, puts her arms on my companions and mine 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 :)

Love, Sister Peterson