Hi family.
Yep, so the politics in Thailand are the funniest thing in the world. You’d think it's be a bigger deal that the military took over, but nope. Sure there are a few people that are mad about it, but most of Thailand acts like it's not even a problem. I really think this would be a big thing in America. A curfew? Here, not a big deal. >.< oh Thailand why must you be so laid back? But it's good for us. We can now street contact again, and curfew no longer affects us. So like I said, it's like nothing changed.
I love this international ward! The political events really haven't affected it at all. But the bishop has informed me that almost everyone leaves in the summer to go vacationing. So that will be an issue for us teaching wise, but oh well. We have some amazing members here, and they really are from all over the world.
Yesterday we went to a members house to eat, because it was her birthday, and her husband made fantastic salmon. Yes that's right. Salmon. And I loved it! What on earth is happening to me that I now like fish? God answers prayers is what's happening. But it was so interesting. The sister is from the Philippines and she told us about how she started working when she was 6 years old. 6 years old. Because her family needed the money, and how she basically grew up in the factory she worked at, and how latter in life she had to work at the university she went to because she couldn't be on scholarship because she was Mormon. It was so eye opening to hear how different the rest of the world is.
ED CAME TO CHURCH! I think I told you last week that he told us he had gotten an answer from God, but then couldn't come that week to church. This week he was late to work so he could come to sacrament meeting, and it was the best fast and testimony meeting I'v had in Thailand. Ed said he loved it and he's working really hard to change his schedule so he can have Sundays off instead of Saturdays. (: so happy. He was beaming from ear to ear at church, I've never seen him so happy. God answers prayers.
I hope you are all safe and comfortable in America. Hope it's not as hot there as it is here. So hot.
Culture fact: Thailand makes indestructible brooms. They are made out of like twigs of some sort or another, and they use them for everything: Sweeping water puddles, sweeping recently cut grass off the grass, sweeping the leaves off the side walk. I think of how we try to keep our broom clean, and not destroy it, they don't care, and it never looks dirty. What gets me most is the sweeping of water. You'd thing the broom would start to mold or something. Nope. They're like magic.
Spiritual lesson: Life is hard, life is wonderful, life is all that we make it. President Uchdorf gave a fantastic talk about being grateful IN our circumstances. not necessarily for them, but in them. I may not have been grateful for street contacting everyday, but I was grateful every time that God helped me not hate life. For every one that said yes for my companion, every investigator that came to church, and I think that kept me sane. If I had focused on what I thought I needed, which was people saying yes to baptism, and missed the other small things God gave me, life would have been so hard. It's no wonder so many people ask in crisis "where is God?" because if you are only willing to accept a huge miracle as an answer to prayer, you will miss the little blessings. The little ways God tells us He loves us. Sure people get big answers, but God is in the details.
Family I love you. I hope you are taking care of each other. Family's are great things (:
love, sister Barber
Yep, so the politics in Thailand are the funniest thing in the world. You’d think it's be a bigger deal that the military took over, but nope. Sure there are a few people that are mad about it, but most of Thailand acts like it's not even a problem. I really think this would be a big thing in America. A curfew? Here, not a big deal. >.< oh Thailand why must you be so laid back? But it's good for us. We can now street contact again, and curfew no longer affects us. So like I said, it's like nothing changed.
I love this international ward! The political events really haven't affected it at all. But the bishop has informed me that almost everyone leaves in the summer to go vacationing. So that will be an issue for us teaching wise, but oh well. We have some amazing members here, and they really are from all over the world.
Yesterday we went to a members house to eat, because it was her birthday, and her husband made fantastic salmon. Yes that's right. Salmon. And I loved it! What on earth is happening to me that I now like fish? God answers prayers is what's happening. But it was so interesting. The sister is from the Philippines and she told us about how she started working when she was 6 years old. 6 years old. Because her family needed the money, and how she basically grew up in the factory she worked at, and how latter in life she had to work at the university she went to because she couldn't be on scholarship because she was Mormon. It was so eye opening to hear how different the rest of the world is.
ED CAME TO CHURCH! I think I told you last week that he told us he had gotten an answer from God, but then couldn't come that week to church. This week he was late to work so he could come to sacrament meeting, and it was the best fast and testimony meeting I'v had in Thailand. Ed said he loved it and he's working really hard to change his schedule so he can have Sundays off instead of Saturdays. (: so happy. He was beaming from ear to ear at church, I've never seen him so happy. God answers prayers.
I hope you are all safe and comfortable in America. Hope it's not as hot there as it is here. So hot.
Culture fact: Thailand makes indestructible brooms. They are made out of like twigs of some sort or another, and they use them for everything: Sweeping water puddles, sweeping recently cut grass off the grass, sweeping the leaves off the side walk. I think of how we try to keep our broom clean, and not destroy it, they don't care, and it never looks dirty. What gets me most is the sweeping of water. You'd thing the broom would start to mold or something. Nope. They're like magic.
Spiritual lesson: Life is hard, life is wonderful, life is all that we make it. President Uchdorf gave a fantastic talk about being grateful IN our circumstances. not necessarily for them, but in them. I may not have been grateful for street contacting everyday, but I was grateful every time that God helped me not hate life. For every one that said yes for my companion, every investigator that came to church, and I think that kept me sane. If I had focused on what I thought I needed, which was people saying yes to baptism, and missed the other small things God gave me, life would have been so hard. It's no wonder so many people ask in crisis "where is God?" because if you are only willing to accept a huge miracle as an answer to prayer, you will miss the little blessings. The little ways God tells us He loves us. Sure people get big answers, but God is in the details.
Family I love you. I hope you are taking care of each other. Family's are great things (:
love, sister Barber