So, you know how we needed to move houses because we have one more sister now in Asoke? Want to guess where our house used to be? Not 5 minutes away from Lumpini Park. [note from mom: this has become the headquarters for the anti-government protestors and one of the more dangerous areas of Bangkok right now.] Hmmm... coincidence? I think not. Don't worry, God's very aware of us. He takes care of us.
In other news, we had a baptism for Brother Adventure (he's the guy from Ghana.) He is so hungry to learn about the gospel, it's refreshing. Our Scottish friend is a little hung up on the plan of Salvation. He's just like, "Where did this come from? I've never heard anything like it." So we showed him in Corinthians and a few other places, and gave him the chapter in the Doctrine and Covenants where Joseph Smith sees the vision, and we're going to go over it again tonight, see how he's feeling. I hope he can overcome this concern! Because he is the most amazing man. He already understands that in religion you must trust in your heart more than your head... but I'm stressed for him anyway.
Thailand is hot.
Wow, Sister Barber, we didn't know that. Well, it is. And there are a ton of mosquitoes everywhere now. I must buy myself some mosquito repellent (Yes mom, they have it here so you needn't buy me any.)
My new companion: I don't think I told you a sufficient amount about her. Her name is sister Narayanan, she is from America, but she was born in India (because her parents are Indian.) She speak Tamil, the weirdest language. There are alot of people that speak it here, so she has been able to do alot of good in the international ward. She is a convert of two years; before that she was Hindu. I've heard her tell the stories a couple of times now, but every time she explains that she didn't know anything about Jesus (only that he was associated with Christianity), It just floors me. I guess that's how a lot of Thai people are too. They have no idea what He did for the whole world. She's vegan, just because she grew up not eating meat, and thinks it tastes bad.
Yup, also Sister Carter, who came in my group, is living in the same house as me, and Sister Sahagun. Sister Sahagun is the funniest, cutest thing. I do not think I can adequately describe her. This is where, if I had any pictures of her, I would put them in, but I just unpacked my camera today, so nope, I got nothin' for you. Having four sisters in one house is way too much fun. When we get home every night we just talk and I must say my journal writing has suffered. I must amend this, but it's so fun.
We're also teaching this girl from Myanmar, she is the sweetest thing. The Book of Mormon is not translated in Burmese yet, so it's so hard to teach! She can speak English, but as you know the English in the scriptures is a little different. But she is determined to read and understand. She's reading the same three chapters over and over to understand. We also have Preach my Gospel in Burmese, so we have her read from that too. It is so helpful. We were like, " Do you know about the atonement?" And she was like, " ????? what is that?" Then we point to the heading, and she's like, " OH! Of course." Good times.
Well, that's all I got today.
CULTURE LESSON: there are these water channels running throughout Thailand. In Thai they are called klongs. They are the most disgusting things.... EVERYTHING gets thrown into the klongs: sewage, food waste, bottles. Some klongs are worse than others. There is one RIGHT next to our house that we walk by every day. It doesn't even look like water in it... and it smells so noxiously bad.
Spiritual thought for the week: "In the world you will have trials, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." -John 16.
"Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so." - "None Were With him "
Anytime we feel times are hard, we can't do it, we can't endure, we can't be better, remember.... you can. Remember that Jesus really came to this earth, really suffered, really felt all alone, so we don't have to.
I Love you all. I hope you are all well.
Love,
Sister Barber
In other news, we had a baptism for Brother Adventure (he's the guy from Ghana.) He is so hungry to learn about the gospel, it's refreshing. Our Scottish friend is a little hung up on the plan of Salvation. He's just like, "Where did this come from? I've never heard anything like it." So we showed him in Corinthians and a few other places, and gave him the chapter in the Doctrine and Covenants where Joseph Smith sees the vision, and we're going to go over it again tonight, see how he's feeling. I hope he can overcome this concern! Because he is the most amazing man. He already understands that in religion you must trust in your heart more than your head... but I'm stressed for him anyway.
Thailand is hot.
Wow, Sister Barber, we didn't know that. Well, it is. And there are a ton of mosquitoes everywhere now. I must buy myself some mosquito repellent (Yes mom, they have it here so you needn't buy me any.)
My new companion: I don't think I told you a sufficient amount about her. Her name is sister Narayanan, she is from America, but she was born in India (because her parents are Indian.) She speak Tamil, the weirdest language. There are alot of people that speak it here, so she has been able to do alot of good in the international ward. She is a convert of two years; before that she was Hindu. I've heard her tell the stories a couple of times now, but every time she explains that she didn't know anything about Jesus (only that he was associated with Christianity), It just floors me. I guess that's how a lot of Thai people are too. They have no idea what He did for the whole world. She's vegan, just because she grew up not eating meat, and thinks it tastes bad.
Yup, also Sister Carter, who came in my group, is living in the same house as me, and Sister Sahagun. Sister Sahagun is the funniest, cutest thing. I do not think I can adequately describe her. This is where, if I had any pictures of her, I would put them in, but I just unpacked my camera today, so nope, I got nothin' for you. Having four sisters in one house is way too much fun. When we get home every night we just talk and I must say my journal writing has suffered. I must amend this, but it's so fun.
We're also teaching this girl from Myanmar, she is the sweetest thing. The Book of Mormon is not translated in Burmese yet, so it's so hard to teach! She can speak English, but as you know the English in the scriptures is a little different. But she is determined to read and understand. She's reading the same three chapters over and over to understand. We also have Preach my Gospel in Burmese, so we have her read from that too. It is so helpful. We were like, " Do you know about the atonement?" And she was like, " ????? what is that?" Then we point to the heading, and she's like, " OH! Of course." Good times.
Well, that's all I got today.
CULTURE LESSON: there are these water channels running throughout Thailand. In Thai they are called klongs. They are the most disgusting things.... EVERYTHING gets thrown into the klongs: sewage, food waste, bottles. Some klongs are worse than others. There is one RIGHT next to our house that we walk by every day. It doesn't even look like water in it... and it smells so noxiously bad.
Spiritual thought for the week: "In the world you will have trials, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." -John 16.
"Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so." - "None Were With him "
Anytime we feel times are hard, we can't do it, we can't endure, we can't be better, remember.... you can. Remember that Jesus really came to this earth, really suffered, really felt all alone, so we don't have to.
I Love you all. I hope you are all well.
Love,
Sister Barber