Brownies, Being One of the Lord's Tender Mercies

Well, นิกาย's, Sister Smith made it through (almost) a week in Thailand. THAILAND: the land of good food, sweet people, and lots of work to do. So my trainer and I have "whitewashed" in to Chaing-Wattana--meaning that we both have no idea what we're doing. Yet. It's an interesting experience, not knowing anyone and me not knowing the language... Just kidding. We are over an international ward, so that's in English.

Thailand is awesome! I love it. These past few days we have done a lot of inviting, making phone calls to recent converts and less-actives in the church, ward members, etc. I live in an apartment that's kind of small. The toilets here are not the same as in America. But mostly the same. Also we tried calling four black guys from the Ivory Coast to set up an appointment but their first language is French, so it went more like the following dialogue:

• "Alloooo?"
• "Hi this is the Sister missionaries, when are you free so we can meet with you?"
• "I am not sure where you are, but I going to play futbol now."
• "When can we meet you?"
• "Oh like Tuesday or Thursday or something."
• "Okay Tuesday at what time?"
• "Oh I am not meet Tuesday. Probably not."
• "Ok Thursday at what time?"
• "Ok you come to game futbol Thursday see."

I love international ward.

Sister Forte is amazing! She is so sweet and really cares about me. She has all the good qualities needed to take care of a blag-o like myself.

Sister Smith and her trainer, Sister Forte

We're in a temporary trio for a khonThai sister that was just set apart yesterday. She'll be serving in Thailand after going to the MTC in the Philippines.

Me, our temporary companion, and Sister Forte

We taught our first two lessons on Saturday. I take back knowing the language already...there are still lessons we teach in Thai to investigators we find when we invite around our area. Both were very sweet. One is a driver for a family in the international ward. He came with us to the adult session of stake conference that night too--and loved it! So I am excited for him to get baptized, he already has a date set. The other investigator is great too...but he loves coffee...so we committed him to stop drinking it and if he can keep that going for 2 weeks then he can get baptized too!

They closed down the road because the king's son was driving through. Also fun fact: out of respect, we have to stop and wait when he passes by--learned that the hard way.

Road was closed for the King's son passing through

These first few days have been hard but rewarding. I have learned to be grateful for all the tender mercies of the Lord: hugs from members, air-conditioned church, personal scripture study, larger calf-muscles already, and oh, those delicious brownies the falangs made for us!

The last supper (actually breakfast) with my district sisters <3