Dear fam,
A mission is like a time warp. It goes so fast, and yet so slow. This week took forever, and yet it was just a moment. That's silly Sister Barber, how is that even possible? I testify it is.
So some things that happened: we met a man that kind of fell into our laps. He is the most prepared man I have ever met. We met with him, and we were getting to know him a little, and we were about to get started, and he said, "Can we start with a prayer?" Why yes we can. "Can I say it?" Go for it.
After that he told us about how his life hit bottom, and then he met this friend, and saw that she was Mormon, and he started reading the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Convenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. He said he hadn't read them all cover to cover, but he was reading every day, and he knew it was from God, and that there was no way that Joseph Smith could have just written this book. So after I removed my jaw from off the ground we taught the restoration, and it was wonderful.
This has been a testimony to me that we have the fullness of the Gospel, because this man was already part of the Church of Scotland (he's Scottish) but we are able to add truths that he already knows. When we taught him about the atonement, I felt like talking about how we need to forgive ourselves as well. He was like, "You know, that is an idea, that if I had known would probably helped me a lot in my life." The only hitch is that he wants to wait until Easter to get baptized. I mean it's not bad, but he's going to be ready as soon as he is keeping the word of wisdon, (he smokes, drinks, and has coffee each morning).... But he told us the day we taught it that he would give up tea, coffee, and alcohol that day, and smoking cold turkey Wednesday for Lent. So why wait when you're ready!
We also have a man getting baptized this next Sunday. I really am not sure how he found our church. He's from Africa, he came to Thailand like six days ago, and apparently someone gave him the number for our church while he was still in Africa, and told him to learn about us. We thought at first he was just coming for money, but he just wants to be baptized into our church, and become a member. Okay can do.
So this month we have a mission goal for every companionship to have two baptisms. I know we can do it with God's help, and it's obvious to see his help in this.
We moved houses. No more staying in our cramped little house. We now have a three bedroom apartment with a kitchen and living room area. It is rather spacious, but the outside looks very sketchy. One of the elders didn't believe that we were moving there, but the inside is good, so not complaining. It did take our whole p-day though, hence the quick e-mail from Sister Sahagen.
Bishop Stevenson, the Presiding Bishop of the church, came and spoke to us on Sunday. That was good. He talked about being a better missionary, bearing testimony, and how important commitments are.
That's all I can think of. I am loving Asoke - it is definitely not the safest part of Thailand, and I have heard there have been many (shall we say) problems very close to us and our house, but I personally have only seen mobs.
CULTURE LESSON: Thai people use baby powder a lot. (Not for babies.) After they shower they pour it all over themselves. I was wondering for the longest time why there were people walking around with white stuff kind of stuck on their face. I know that when they go to the wats (Buddhist temples) they have yellow put on their face, but this was different. So then someone explained this to me. I think it's hilarious.
Spiritual Thought: This is something I've found so true in mission work, and in the rest of life: don't wait to be happy. Sometimes I am tempted to think "Oh, I'll be happier when I'm able to speak Thai okay, or when I go to the iisan ( the country) or when I know how to get around," but that's just silly. If I wait until my life is "perfect" to be happy, I will be waiting a long time. and it's the same in "not mission" life. If you wait for Mom to stop playing the piano, or Texas to not have bipolar weather, or an A in a class to be happy, then you're missing out on being happy right now. "Men are that they might have joy." It doesn't say we'll have joy only in good times. So! have fun today! There is always something good in your life.
Love,
Sister Barber
A mission is like a time warp. It goes so fast, and yet so slow. This week took forever, and yet it was just a moment. That's silly Sister Barber, how is that even possible? I testify it is.
So some things that happened: we met a man that kind of fell into our laps. He is the most prepared man I have ever met. We met with him, and we were getting to know him a little, and we were about to get started, and he said, "Can we start with a prayer?" Why yes we can. "Can I say it?" Go for it.
After that he told us about how his life hit bottom, and then he met this friend, and saw that she was Mormon, and he started reading the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Convenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. He said he hadn't read them all cover to cover, but he was reading every day, and he knew it was from God, and that there was no way that Joseph Smith could have just written this book. So after I removed my jaw from off the ground we taught the restoration, and it was wonderful.
This has been a testimony to me that we have the fullness of the Gospel, because this man was already part of the Church of Scotland (he's Scottish) but we are able to add truths that he already knows. When we taught him about the atonement, I felt like talking about how we need to forgive ourselves as well. He was like, "You know, that is an idea, that if I had known would probably helped me a lot in my life." The only hitch is that he wants to wait until Easter to get baptized. I mean it's not bad, but he's going to be ready as soon as he is keeping the word of wisdon, (he smokes, drinks, and has coffee each morning).... But he told us the day we taught it that he would give up tea, coffee, and alcohol that day, and smoking cold turkey Wednesday for Lent. So why wait when you're ready!
We also have a man getting baptized this next Sunday. I really am not sure how he found our church. He's from Africa, he came to Thailand like six days ago, and apparently someone gave him the number for our church while he was still in Africa, and told him to learn about us. We thought at first he was just coming for money, but he just wants to be baptized into our church, and become a member. Okay can do.
So this month we have a mission goal for every companionship to have two baptisms. I know we can do it with God's help, and it's obvious to see his help in this.
We moved houses. No more staying in our cramped little house. We now have a three bedroom apartment with a kitchen and living room area. It is rather spacious, but the outside looks very sketchy. One of the elders didn't believe that we were moving there, but the inside is good, so not complaining. It did take our whole p-day though, hence the quick e-mail from Sister Sahagen.
Bishop Stevenson, the Presiding Bishop of the church, came and spoke to us on Sunday. That was good. He talked about being a better missionary, bearing testimony, and how important commitments are.
That's all I can think of. I am loving Asoke - it is definitely not the safest part of Thailand, and I have heard there have been many (shall we say) problems very close to us and our house, but I personally have only seen mobs.
CULTURE LESSON: Thai people use baby powder a lot. (Not for babies.) After they shower they pour it all over themselves. I was wondering for the longest time why there were people walking around with white stuff kind of stuck on their face. I know that when they go to the wats (Buddhist temples) they have yellow put on their face, but this was different. So then someone explained this to me. I think it's hilarious.
Spiritual Thought: This is something I've found so true in mission work, and in the rest of life: don't wait to be happy. Sometimes I am tempted to think "Oh, I'll be happier when I'm able to speak Thai okay, or when I go to the iisan ( the country) or when I know how to get around," but that's just silly. If I wait until my life is "perfect" to be happy, I will be waiting a long time. and it's the same in "not mission" life. If you wait for Mom to stop playing the piano, or Texas to not have bipolar weather, or an A in a class to be happy, then you're missing out on being happy right now. "Men are that they might have joy." It doesn't say we'll have joy only in good times. So! have fun today! There is always something good in your life.
Love,
Sister Barber