Dear Fam and friends,
So, we had a baptism. (: it's been waaay too long since that happened. His name is "I" (yeas literally it is the letter I) I think I told you a little bit about him. He's 17, doesn't say a whole lot, but when we taught the plan of salvation, he told us he had a sister that passed away in an accident, and I think that knowledge that he will meet her again really was what did it. Because, just imagine that your sister passed away, and what everyone around you believes is she'll be re-incarnated and forget you, and you wont be family any more. that would be way sad! Anyway, he's a solid guy, and he asks really thoughtful questions, and it was way good.
Also, President Senior and Sister Senior came to our ward on Sunday and spoke. They both are so full of the spirit. Sister Senior spoke about preparation, how we need to prepare our selves even for the weekly taking of the sacrament, and president Senior spoke about sacrifice, how many people at church are only members, and how it really is a sacrifice just to be Christian in Thailand. And how they can be a light for the people around them, and it was just what this branch needed to hear. Man, I wish I could explain it better. But that will suffice.
What else. Well it does in deed rain every day. I think it has rained every day at least this week and most days for the whole 5 weeks I've been in nong kai. Mercifully it has rained mostly at night time. I say mercifully, because when I say Thai people wont go out when it rains, I mean it. especially in the iisaan. That, and getting soaked and not being able to change till evening sucks.
As happens to missionaries, I have examined my mission, and freaked out about how little time I have left. I may begin praying that the prophet changes sister missions to 2 years. I can't almost have only 6 months left! hmmm I must work like a mad person, truly "take advantage of every day." I know 6 months sounds long, but dang, 1 year flew by, and this is half of that. -_-
I was thinking about what I've learned in that time, and it's a lot, but I think I'll hold off that list until my last e-mail. hehehehe things for you to look forward to.
Other then that, my life has been a lot of the same, a ton of inviting every day, and teaching people about the gospel. although, we may have just baptized our only investigator...... But we'll find new ones! they're here some where. it's like a game of hide and seek. wow.... I'm actually going crazy. oh well. Love you all!
Culture time! Corn is considered a desert in Thailand. the first time I saw the ice cream flavors at KFC I was like hmmm do I want chocolate, strawberry, or corn..... what country am I living in?
Spiritual thing- The Atonement of Christ has an ennobling power. Sister Barber... what does that even mean? well in life I have heard people say "that's just the way I am." That is denying the atonement of Jesus Christ, because through him we can rid ourselves of any sin or flaw in our character. In effect, the atonement is the ability to change. we can change everything about ourselves. It all starts with a desire. like when I got in to country, I desired to be better at "Dan Jonesing." I prayed a crap ton, and worked at it too. There were times I thought I never would be good, there may or may not have been times that I started crying in the middle of it, and me and my companion had to sit down and talk about it, but through it all I had a goal, and I was praying. it took time, I'm still working on it, but I have made stride I could not have with out Gods help. This applies to anything, playing piano, being charitable, slow to anger, happy, anything. and when we start, we may suck, God gives us the strength for just a little longer, we just need to use our will power to use that strength.
Love you alllllll!
Sister Barber
So, we had a baptism. (: it's been waaay too long since that happened. His name is "I" (yeas literally it is the letter I) I think I told you a little bit about him. He's 17, doesn't say a whole lot, but when we taught the plan of salvation, he told us he had a sister that passed away in an accident, and I think that knowledge that he will meet her again really was what did it. Because, just imagine that your sister passed away, and what everyone around you believes is she'll be re-incarnated and forget you, and you wont be family any more. that would be way sad! Anyway, he's a solid guy, and he asks really thoughtful questions, and it was way good.
Also, President Senior and Sister Senior came to our ward on Sunday and spoke. They both are so full of the spirit. Sister Senior spoke about preparation, how we need to prepare our selves even for the weekly taking of the sacrament, and president Senior spoke about sacrifice, how many people at church are only members, and how it really is a sacrifice just to be Christian in Thailand. And how they can be a light for the people around them, and it was just what this branch needed to hear. Man, I wish I could explain it better. But that will suffice.
What else. Well it does in deed rain every day. I think it has rained every day at least this week and most days for the whole 5 weeks I've been in nong kai. Mercifully it has rained mostly at night time. I say mercifully, because when I say Thai people wont go out when it rains, I mean it. especially in the iisaan. That, and getting soaked and not being able to change till evening sucks.
As happens to missionaries, I have examined my mission, and freaked out about how little time I have left. I may begin praying that the prophet changes sister missions to 2 years. I can't almost have only 6 months left! hmmm I must work like a mad person, truly "take advantage of every day." I know 6 months sounds long, but dang, 1 year flew by, and this is half of that. -_-
I was thinking about what I've learned in that time, and it's a lot, but I think I'll hold off that list until my last e-mail. hehehehe things for you to look forward to.
Other then that, my life has been a lot of the same, a ton of inviting every day, and teaching people about the gospel. although, we may have just baptized our only investigator...... But we'll find new ones! they're here some where. it's like a game of hide and seek. wow.... I'm actually going crazy. oh well. Love you all!
Culture time! Corn is considered a desert in Thailand. the first time I saw the ice cream flavors at KFC I was like hmmm do I want chocolate, strawberry, or corn..... what country am I living in?
Spiritual thing- The Atonement of Christ has an ennobling power. Sister Barber... what does that even mean? well in life I have heard people say "that's just the way I am." That is denying the atonement of Jesus Christ, because through him we can rid ourselves of any sin or flaw in our character. In effect, the atonement is the ability to change. we can change everything about ourselves. It all starts with a desire. like when I got in to country, I desired to be better at "Dan Jonesing." I prayed a crap ton, and worked at it too. There were times I thought I never would be good, there may or may not have been times that I started crying in the middle of it, and me and my companion had to sit down and talk about it, but through it all I had a goal, and I was praying. it took time, I'm still working on it, but I have made stride I could not have with out Gods help. This applies to anything, playing piano, being charitable, slow to anger, happy, anything. and when we start, we may suck, God gives us the strength for just a little longer, we just need to use our will power to use that strength.
Love you alllllll!
Sister Barber