Transfers week! + first couple days of พี่

สวัสดีครับทุกท่านนะครับ!

This week was transfer week! It was a fun one to be sure.

Monday, we went and bought a CD for an LA we are working with. She says that it hurts her eyes and head too much to read the BoM so she likes to listen to it on audio. And so we made a CD for her to listen to. While the computer was making that all happen, we just did our studies in the morning. After that, we went and gave that to her, and then had a pretty tough lesson with her. She feels like she is out of faith and hope and just has kind of given up. May or may not have been some tears in that lesson. It sounds like she's got it pretty tough right now. After that, we had a YSA activity at the church and invited investigators to come as well. It was way fun! We played a way fun game called signs, and I really enjoyed it. And we got some new investigators out of it as well.

Tuesday, we studied in the morning and then went to teach an investigator and his brother was there too! So that was way awesome, we got a new investigator out of it. And found out he lives in the same aparment building as us too. He had alot of questions. After that we had a pizza party for district meeting! It was way fun. After that, we had a lesson with an LA, and then English class and honestly that was a pretty messy lesson. But it was fun anyway. Then we taught some more people and got a total of 3 new investigators that day!! It was way good stuff.

Wednesday, we had our pday. Normally on transfers week, the APs will call on Tuesday night to tell us where everyone is going. This time around though, we got the call in the morning. Apparently the board was pretty tough this transfer for president. Anyways, I got the call that I was going senior companion. That sure stressed me out for the rest of the day. I certainly don't feel ready to be a senior comp, but I guess that's one way to learn, is to just do it! Anyways, we spent our pday going to the office to work out money and things and then came home for elder McCown to pack his bags. Then we had dinner with an investigator real quick and then a good scripture class and a good lesson afterwards. Good times.

Thursday, we were up by 4:30. Transfers! Usually I'm pretty excited to go to the office and see everybody again, but today I did not want to go. I just wanted to stay as junior companion. Clearly that's not what was in store for me though. So we went to the office, and I met my new companion. He is a transfer behind me, and his name is Elder Siebert. And he is way good! We sat down to do our weekly planning for the day, and boy let me tell you, all of my fears from the day before disappeared! He's a great missionary, and he is willing to go out at work, and has some great ideas about how to get the work going and improving. I'm way pumped for this transfer. Still a little nervous don't get me wrong, but but I'm feeling tons better anyway. So on Thursday we had weekly planning, and then we met with a member to find some referrals. Then we studied and got some dinner and then a great correlation meeting. After that, we had a chance to go out and meet with an investigator and an RC. Both ผิดนัดed unfortunately. And one guy we tried to talk to wasn't having any of it. I'm also feeling that this will be a fun transfer considering neither of us are fluent in the language yet haha. But we're doing well.

Friday, we hit the streets in the morning and went inviting. Unfortunately, we didn't get any new investigators out of it, but we sure found a ton of people to talk too. In fact, there was this grandma lady that came up behind us and had us speak to her grandson over the phone. Apparently she has a daughter in California right now, and so we talked to her like 12 year old son over the phone for a bit haha. Anyways, after that, we grabbed some lunch and then headed home for lunch. After that, we stopped by an investigators house, and met with another one under a bridge. Fun times. After that, we grabbed some dinner and then sports night at the church a few more teaching appointments.

Saturday, we went to visit an RC, and his family who are all daters right now. We got lost on the way there though and so it took a little longer to get there but oh well I guess. We got to talk to some good peeps on the way there. After that, we taught a great lesson on the gospel. Then we talked about baptismal dates. Unfortunately, with the way school works here in Thailand, we won't be able to baptize them until later next month this cause they won't be able to come next week. After we left there with some solid plans, we grabbed some lunch and then we set out to find an LAs house. We never did find it. But we did walk for a while and talk with other peeps. The taxi driver that gave us a ride back to the church was way nice too. Not all that interested, but cool guy. He took us on a short cut that took us around the traffic jam. So that was way nice of him. After that, we met briefly with an LA and then witnessed the sprinklers turn on in the middle of preparation for a wedding at the church haha. Then we got home and studied and then it rained some more. We felt bad for the people setting it all up. After studies and dinner, we invited around a little bit, and then we taught an investigator real quick. First 3 days of being senior comp secure. Awesome.

Sunday was great as it usually is. Sacrament meeting was good. I rather enjoyed it today. We had 2 investigators show up on time. Then 3 more shows up shortly after the sacrament was over. So close! It was good though. After the sacrament, and a fire lesson in Sunday school and priesthood, we had a delicious lunch. Then we taught บ. น้ำ and his kids. It was a good lesson. Elder Siebert is good about making lessons fun. They enjoyed it today and it made sense for them. After that we made some appointments for this upcoming week, and then we headed out to go and invite for a bit. We met some good peeps, other really weird ones, but no one really interested :/ oh well I guess.. After teaching an investigator, we came home and ate dinner and studied. Sunday evening that are สบายๆ are pretty nice.

My spiritual thought for this week comes from PMG chapter 6. Under the topic of diligence, we have the quote that says this:

I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work! If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work. -Ezra Taft Benson

And a while back, President Johnson sent out an email about our desires and how God will grant unto us according to our desires. I have included some of his comments:

Desire denotes a real longing or craving for something. What we desire over time is what we will eventually become. What we become is what we will receive in eternity.

There are several scriptures that clarify this point. “For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts” (D&C 137:9)

Alma said, “I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, … I know that he allotteth unto men … according to their wills” (Alma 29:4)

I know that as we desire to serve God, and look for opportunities to do good, God will grant unto us those desires. We may not be perfect. We might not get right the first time, or the second or third time. All we have to do is give it all we've got. That is something that I've really come to learn in the last little bit. When we put ourselves in his hands, and are willing to do what he needs us to do, miracles can happen. I stand as a witness that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Jesus Christ is the son of God and our savior. When we trust in Him and try our best to do what he wants and to do, then anything is possible!!

Have a great week everybody!!! :)

Elder L

Pictures:

after a ysa activity

pizza party

walking around and inviting

and the likes