Week 66 in Thailand, Jan 18, 2015

This week our investigator Nai got baptized.  We've been teaching him for a few months and this was, maybe the most exciting day of the transfer!  My companion and I have been working really hard and have faced some disappointments also.  This transfer, we've both felt God pouring the blessings upon us.  In His own ways and on His own time!

This transfer has been the best opportunity to align our will with Heavenly Father's and find joy in serving and teaching. I can't believe it's the last week of the transfers already and I'm heading on transfer “sud thai” (the last).  Being a missionary goes by way too fast and I'm determined to make this the best transfer yet!  So everyone keep praying for me!! 

Love Sister Marina A. Peterson

 

Email to me, asking about her new companion:  She actually sooo cute!!!!  We have a lot of fun.  The work has its ups and downs but our investigator Nai got baptized yesterday, which was really exciting for us and the branch.  We've been teaching him since we got to Mahasarakam.  I actually love being a missionary sooo much.

Week 65 in Thailand, 11 Jan 2015

Well, were going tiawing today so I don't have email time but I LOVE you and see you next week! 

 

Week 64 in Thailand. A NEW YEAR

This week we rang in the New Year with a bang! 

Day one:  I got a new companion, fresh from the MTC Philippines.  Her name is Sister Wittawee and she is from Bangkapi.  I was sooo excited to learn that I would be training her!!!  Pretty sure I prayed for that, like for a month straight, back when I was leaving Bangkapi.  Even though I forgot about my request, Heavenly Father didn't and here we are, five months later!

The rest of our week went a lot like this:  Invite, teach, eat, sleep, repeat.  By Sunday, we were exhausted, but as always, Sunday is when the Lord pours our his blessings the most.  We had a baptism for our investigator Garfield.  Garfield is the younger sister to Sister Nanne, so it was a really exciting day.  Sister Nanne was the speaker at the baptism, so on Saturday, we helped her write her first talk and then practice giving it, so she wouldn't be nervous. It was the most rewarding day of the transfer so far.   Never be afraid to pray for blessing!!!! 

Well I hope that you all had a wonderful New Year's Day and I'm sending out a bunch of letters today so keep your eye out!

All my love, Sister Marina A. Peterson  

 

 

Week 63 in Thailand 31 Dec 2014

I hope everyone is having a great New Year and that your Christmas was fantastic!  I love you all!

Week 62 in Thailand. 21 Dec Christmas week.

My email reply.  No blog.

This week was crazy in that we had transfers and I’m now in a trio with Sister Smith and Sister Sawangwong.  Sister Smith was actually really worried because she was in a trio in the MTC and it was hard, but so far it’s been really fun.  This has been a week of translating for me as I’m now the area translator.  Because Sister Sawangwong doesn't speak English and S. Smith is in the process of learning Thai and can't.  So that is kind of stressful but at the same time it’s nice to serve.

It’s most stressful when I have to translate thing Sister Smith says to Sister Sawangwong and vise versa.  But that goes back to the serving thing.  Also, I got called as STL Sister Training Leader and cried for the last time at transfer meeting...because now my group is the oldest in the mission and I won't have to say goodbye to anymore people that I love LOL.  I feel like I’m getting a lot of responsibility that would normally freak me out but God has already shown me that he’s going to help so I’m not too worried :)

Tell everyone I love them :)

Week 61 in Thailand, 14 Dec 2014

No blog, just some pictures.

 

My trainer came to Thailand!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best day ever...she swung by transfers to see how we, her two remaining companions were.  :-)

Also got to reunite with my peeps in Bangkapi :-)  seriously best transfers day ever!

Christmas in Bangkok :)

 

With Sister Sawangwong and Sister Smith

 

 

Week 60 in Thailand 7 Dec 2014

This week was a bit crazy because we had a Zone Conference Christmas party…which actually included everyone in the Isan.  It was really fun.  The four of us found some pretty awesome Christmas sweaters at a market here in the area.  We were probably both the most festive and tacky Missionaries there, but it was fun!

It sort of had a dramatic ending when, as they were bringing the meeting to a close, President Senior announced that my group would be giving the end of your Mission testimonies.  I still feel like I just got here, so that kind of came as a surprise.  I don't remember what I said, just that I had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the experiences I have had and for the fact that I still have a few more months to teach people about my Savior. Grateful for all the challenges that have made me grow, and all the people that I've met and grown to love.

It was also Father’s Day in Thailand which was fun because in all of our inviting spots, there were live music festivals going on.  :-)  All the streets were decked out in Christmas lights.  It was really pretty!  So Happy Fathers Day, Dad and Grandpas.  Here's to another week of finding joy in the work!

Love Sister Marina A. Peterson