The Work Progresses!

Family and Friends!

So I have pretty much had the best week of my mission so far. So many things to say and so little time. First of all, I was glad to hear that you all had a great time at Disneyland and missed me a lot! To be honest, I completely forgot you went! Which I am glad, because there is nothing better than being at Disneyland with the whole family!! Awesome that Kurtis and Ashley surprised you Jake, but c'mon guys this is Kurtis we are talking about... I KNEW he would do it. :) I even told Sister Bradfield last week.

Ok, I think I will start today with the miracles. Family be excited because I have written you a detailed letter of this experience, but I am only giving the readers digest version now... OK, so last Tuesday we had a return appointment with this sweet family that we had taught a great "basics" lesson (basics are the Godhead and an invitation to pray) SO we call to confirm and the man says no it's not a good time!! We were distraught. But I followed what the Spirit told me was the best thing to do, and we decided to go on thursday unannounced (they told us the first time that we could come back anytime) with Brother Ooh, who is the awesome member who just had the baby.

So we get there, and the lights are off and the gate is locked. Ah, we were bummed. Right when we were about to leave I felt a strong impression to look inside. The husband, Narong was sleeping on a mat!! Well, if there is one thing I learned from the MTC it is that you need to follow the Spirit and be BOLD! So I woke him up! OK,so we go in the house. Imagine this, we are sitting, two American girls with a clean cut, nice looking Thai man, in front of this tired, groggy man who really wants nothing to do with us at that moment. We needed his wife to be there... he wouldn't go get her, but by miracle, she came on her own!! (she had been sleeping also) OK, so were ready to teach, but they are still WAY tired!

The Lord wanted these people to be taught, and I can promise you there were not enough Thai words in mine and Sister Bradfields limited vocabulary combined to get these people to take us seriously at that moment, but Brother Ooh, OOOOH BROTHER OoH! He shined like a star! Turns out they have the same line of work and could totally related to them! He just layed it down and told them how important the message was. I swear he was speaking the words of angels and I could understand him! So basically we taught the sweetest lesson and their 10 year old son will be the temple president for the Thailand Bangkok temple. :) haha. (we'll see...)

So basically Sister Bradfield and I felt on top of the world after that, like How can life get any better than this?! and you know what, it did!! Remember in my last e mail, I said we had 7 new people? well 4 of those were just referrals that didn't end up going through... (happens a lot because people are too nice to say no) well this week we had 10 new investigators!! 10 new people that want to learn more about Jesus Christ!! Yesterday was pretty awesome too. We taught 4 lessons with 4 different members (which is pretty amazing) After every lesson I just feel so jazzed and excited about the work.

OH and an update on William and Penapah, we visited them on monday and they are coming to church this Sunday!! (we are helping them just this once) but President will be there because he is giving a fireside to the members about preparing for the temple because a lot of them are planning to go next year. I am so excited!!

Well basically, life is amazing and I would not want to be anywhere but right here! I think about home every single day, but it doesn't slow me down, it helps me to want to be a better missionary so that when I come home I can feel like I did my best and look back on these days as being the best. I love you all so much and Can't wait to hear from everyone! Please write me!!

Love,
Melissa

From Melissa's Mission

Sister Bambi and her friend Meow that we are teaching! :) I had just finished a long bike ride and was very hot and sweaty!

From Melissa's Mission

Goong was just baptised... she is so cute!

From Melissa's Mission

Me cooking Thai food!!

And the World Keeps Turning...

Hello Family and Friends!

How happy I am to be emailing you today! Sometimes I just have to pinch myself to know this is real and that I am actually living in Thailand preaching a glorious message!! But it is! And it is true, SO true!!

OK... a LOT has happened this week so time to recap! First we had 9/9/09 which was a big day for the branch because little Noelle was born (and at 9am!!) I have a picture, but the internet cafe I am in doesn't do pics, so it will come next week! Her parents, Sister Tuu and Brother Ooh (everyone goes by their nicknames here, first names are long and hard) are the most amazing members in the branch! Brother Ooh has been a member for less than two years and has not missed a single week of church. He has read the Book of Mormon twice and is now on his third time, he loves it. He helps us so much with teaching. But on the same day, Sister Wan's mom, who has been sick for a while, died. It has been interesting to see how Thai's do funerals. (I have a picture of that too... I'll explain more next week.)

So then it was 9/10/09 Denisa's Birthday!! I thought about her and how much I miss her!!! Mom, PLEASE let her know I was thinking about her and get me her address so I can write her.

9/11- Emily's Birthday! Happy Birthday Emily!! :) I can't believe it has been 8 years since the attack. Sister Bradfield and I were singing patriotic songs on our bikes, it was fun! Birthday shout-outs to Joe and Kinzie, too! So sorry if I forget anyone!

And finally 9/15! My Parents have been married for 25 years!!! :) You were supposed to go to Hawaii, but I guess Disneyland is second best... :) But I am VERY sad you are going without me... mean.. haha. It's ok, I just won't think about it. Well, you guys are the best parents ever. You did everything right in raising me and the boys. I am so grateful mom for all those times when I was 13 and wanted to sleep instead of going to church (or seminary in high school) and you wouldn't take no for an answer. You are my best friend :) And dad, you're just the best example ever. Keep being awesome, and stay healthy because we need another 25 years out of you both AT LEAST! Love you!!!

OK last matter of business and then I'll share some amazing stories... Larissa, I have not forgotten about your umbrella, I am looking for it, but I don't think I will find the white one with the pink flowers where I am serving now. When I go to Bangkok I will find it and send it! :)

So this week has been just incredible. I have had some new challenges with the newness of the mission wearing off and coming to realize that I am working all day everyday for a long time. But it's still great. I am still very enthusiastic, it just takes a little more work now. I still love it here. I like to quote Alma alot, Yea and I desire to dwell with these people for a time, perhaps even until the day I die... (haha not really... but I do love it here!!) I write down miracles that happen everyday. My favorite this week was yesterday when we were teaching Meew and Creem, two girls who work with a member name Bambi (nickname of course ;) Bambi has a solid testimony and has been a member for awhile. So she has been sharing the gospel with Meew, who is SO cute! (I have a picture of her too... next week) and she LOVES it!! I didn't understand everything she said, but she most definitely feels the Holy Ghost and, I'm sure, will be ready for baptism soon. My first baptism!! We'll see how teaching goes.

So the amazing thing that happened is that Creem, who is Bambi's husbands mother has never been interested in learning, but decided to sit in on the lesson. Meew was bearing amazing testimony of how reading the Book of Mormon and praying brings her real happiness and then when she was done, she asked Creem to say something about what they had learned, and she just started crying!! They were all crying as they explained that Creem's parents died when she was young and how it felt good for her to know that she had a Heavenly Father who truly loved her. The spirit was so strong. Sister Bradfield and I left that lesson on cloud nine! This gospel is so true, it's amazing!!

My time is coming to a close. But I love you all very much! And can't wait to hear from you all!!

And Lyndsay! You're letter is being sent today, I started it last week, but didn't get to finish... I love you and you are amazing!! :)

Life is great, the gospel is true. Missionary work is the most important/fun thing to do!! I love you all!

Love,
Melissa

Ok Mom, what you have been waiting for.... PICTURES!! :) Much much more are coming in the mail.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!!! Oh my goodness.... I can not believe you are 16. Wow. I feel like I was just 16, but that was 6 years ago. I'm glad you liked the treats... I'll keep em coming!! :)
Ok, so you are probably wondering why this email is coming a day early... we just had THE MOST AMAZING P-day EVER! We did it a day early because the Zone Leaders came to do switch offs with the Elders and came with us on our grand excursion! Details about that later, now lets talk about the work!

It is going amazingly well. We have gotten 7 new investigators in the past 4 days, which is awesome, because we also lost a few this week. Its hard to let go when you know they have really felt the spirit, especially hard for Sister Bradfield who taught them all, I didn't really know the ones we had to let go. So we will see how all of their first lessons go!

But the real sing thii adsacan (miracle) happened on Sunday night. Ok, from the beginning... So we were talking to one of our strongest members, Sister Boom, who has been a member for like 20 years. We said, how can we help you? And she said, go visit the members. She gave us a list of about 10 people who were inactive and we called them all, ONE picked up (Sister Dim) and invited us to come over Sunday night. Sweet.

So we go to her house (it was actually her sons house) and we get to talking. I understood a good amount of the conversation, but not everything. Basically, her husband was the Branch President for about 6 or 7 years like 10 or 15 yeas ago, the whole family was baptized AND sealed in the temple!! So even thought I didn't really understand why they weren't active anymore, Alma 26:31 came in my mind and the spirit told me I needed to share it and bear my testimony. I did and they loved it. The son, who is about 30, really liked it and really identified with it. We ended up giving him that Book of Mormon and he was excited to start reading it again.

So we left the sons house and went to Sister Dim's. It was amazing. She went into her garage and pulled out two dusty old pictures of Jesus Christ. She wiped them off and just stared at them, the spirit was so strong. No words could be said, but so many things were being felt. So she excused herself again and came back with a huge Thai Bible and 2 Book of Mormons. The first was from 1990. It was a gift given to them after they went to the temple. On the front cover page was a note written in Thai and 2 scriptures, one in 3rd Nephi about keeping covenants and enduring to the end, and 2 Nephi 31:20, enduring to the end. She read them out loud as we looked on in english.... again. SO powerful. THEN she opened the second book of mormon, it was from the Sister Missionary who taught them the gospel, this one was in english. It said something like, "I am giving you this Book of Mormon so you will always remember me and know that this book is true" and had her testimony in it. Her name is Teresa Sorenson. Sister Dim remembered her and loved her very much.

So if this isn't amazing enough, in walks her husband, the old branch president!! When he saw us, a look of guilt washed over his face. He knew exactly who we were... Despite the obvious feelings of guilt, he was very nice to us. He asked how the members were and told us to tell them he missed them. I didn't understand everything he said, but Sister Bradfield filled me in that he was remincing about times when the members would come over and have family home evening. He said they were all like a big family. He said the missionaries were always over, serving them. There was an amazing spirit in the room. Sister Bradfield and I were beaming, I literally could not keep myself from smiling, there was just an immense feeling of joy in the room. Sister Dim asked me to give the closing prayer, I was so scared!! She even asked me to use her real name while praying and ask for a blessing for the family. It was a big deal. The spirit told me exactly what to say and I prayed the most sincere, heartfilled prayer I have ever prayed in Thai to this day. It was absolutely incredible. Sister Bradfield and I left their house literally beaming with the spirit. I felt like if I tried, I could have walked on water at that moment. I never want to forget it!!

So basically... the mission is amazing!

I only have a short time left, so let me explain my pictures...

First is me and Elder Hatch with some of the kids in the Branch, they are so fun!!! I love playing with them and they love me :) Please keep in mind that it is very hot and extremely humid here. Sweaty, no makeup, and hair not done is just how it is over here!

From Melissa's Mission

Next is Sister Bradfield and I with 2 members, that is our Chapel. It's small, but it fills up for the most part for Sacrament.

From Melissa's Mission

he next one is where I went today... Khao Yay national park it is GEORGOUS!!! I took lots of pics and I will send a CD home. That is a waterfall behind me that we hiked to.
And the rest are of us riding the elephant!!! OH MAN IT WAS AWESOME!!! We literally rode elephants through the jungle!! Wish you all could have been there! :)
So more pictures to come snail mail... and a cd of them all too.

From Melissa's Mission

From Melissa's Mission

From Melissa's Mission

From Melissa's Mission

OK so email me tonight and I will be able to read it tomorrow (and possibly send a very short reply) I want to see some pictures of Jakes Birthday celebrations and know how everyone is loving life!

Also, I realized that you can still dear elder me! (only now it costs a dollar to send) so I would LOVE to hear from you all and promise to write back those who write me and send amazing pictures too!! :)

OK. I love you all. Keep supporting the missionaries! This is the best, most rewarding work there is! I love, love, love it!

Love You all SOOO much! Can't wait to hear from you all!

Love Melissa

A treat!

Hello all of you sleeping people on the other side of the world!
Another amazing week has passed! Funny how the MTC seems so far away! Well I have an amazing story to share with you and some cool "firsts" I've had in Thailand this week!

So, we have two investigators named William and Penapah. William is from England and is married to Penapah, who is a khonthai. They have an incredible story, and the best part is, it's still in the making! I met them the first week I was here and thought they were pretty awesome. We visited them again yesterday and had such a great spiritual experience.

They first found the elders some months ago. Penapah says she was so depressed. They live on a farm about an hour outside of Korat near Sii Kiaw. The farm failed and for two years they were just always down and depressed, sleeping all day with nothing to do but think about how sad they were. But one day, they were in Korat for some reason and they saw the Elders. Penapah is just beaming as she tells me, they had such a light about them. I knew right away that they were happy and I wanted to be happy like them.

So the Elders made the hour long trek and began teaching them. They LOVE the gospel. They have the New Testament in Thai and English (in the same book) so they can read it together. They both have last May's Ensign and Penapha told me that she reads the talks over and over and every time she finds new things that she loves. She showed it to me and it is all marked up with highlighter and notes.
We taught them about Baptism and the Temple and they ask us great questions. They understand the gospel so well. It is amazing to see the excitement in their eyes as they learn more. Every principal we explain just clicks right away, as if we were only reminding them. I just can't even tell you how much I love these two!
Ok, so here is the catch. They are poor. They don't have a car. William can't ride a bus because of a problem he has with his leg. They could borrow a car on Sunday's but just don't have the money. All they need to do is come to church and then they can get baptized, and they want to so bad. It is amazing to see that even in the situation they are in, they are so happy and upbeat. They love the gospel and they spend a lot of their time studying.

So the most amazing experience I have had on my mission so far... William gave the closing prayer, and it was so humble and heartfelt. He prayed for the Lord to prepare a way for them to get to church so they could get baptized. I just know the Lord will bless these humble, faithful people to get to church. I told Sister Bradfield as we were leaving, how much I wanted to buy them a car!! What an example of faith they are!

Ahh, the mission is great! The church is true. I love Thailand! Ok, here are some of my firsts... The one I am most proud of is my first time using the sqatter... it was a success!! I can't tell you how nervous I was, but I survived! hahaha. (That's a bathroom for those of you who don't know!) OK, so I also saw this way cool grass called shy grass... it has open leaves and when you touch it the leaves close up! haha I thought it was cool...

Umm I ate my first pickled mango... wan't really a fan. But I also had ice cream on a hot dog bun... YES ice cream on a hot dog bun! It was actually good! It has rice in it too, of course... Here, when someone asks you if you have eaten yet they say: kin khaaw ruu yang? which literally means: eaten rice yet? Even if you don't eat rice, that's how you say it.

We also got to visit a lot of hospitals! One because a recent convert was in the hospital, so we went to see her, and another (on the same day) because we were visiting an investigator who was watching her little nephew who has a tumor in his brain. It was so sad to see the little kids all on these tiny little beds all next to each other in a big room. There were probably about 50 or 60 in this big room. It was cute thought, a little boy who had a bandage on his head looked at me and just smiled. I smiled back. Everytime I looked at him he smiled at me as if it were the first time he saw me. So i went and talked to him. He hurt his head playing soccer. He said he had been there a week! Poor thing. He seemed fine though and I think I made his day, because he was so happy to see me!

Well, the work is great. I love it here! I miss you all at home, but would rather have you all just come here with me! :) Thank you for the prayers, they are greatly appriciated! Love you all!

Love,
Melissa

PS Everyone needs to do a youtube search for this guy: Biethstar....he is like the Thai Michael Jackson. I am totally buying this CD before I leave. People love him here!