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.