The Slow Kind of Busy

This week has been busy but slow at the same time. We didn't teach a lot of lessons, but we had the chance to go and find some people who were baptized but they haven't gone to church in a long time. It was kind of fun searching, all we had was a random Thai address--I felt a little bit like a bounty hunter haha. But like, for good. Anyway, the only bummer part about the whole thing was, while we found one of the people we were searching for and he gave us all this information and phone numbers and ways to reach him while we were searching--I lost the paper!! Seriously I have like no idea where it went. So now we have to go back and get it again. Which is no big deal, but like, we were so close! This unfortunate event really made me realize my weaknesses--I am NOT a perfect missionary. And I could definitely work to keep track of things better. But it's good for me to learn now what I can improve on, because that's the great part about serving a mission--learning where and how to improve and then trying my best to do better.

เปรียบเทียบ : The Parable of the Fruit

Yesterday Sister Ice got baptized.

"And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also, for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." 1st Nephi 8:12. The joy that comes from seeing a converted soul enter into the waters of baptism really can hardly be explained by this scripture, but just try to imagine: rejoicing. Perhaps this glimpse might paint the image in your head a little more articulately:

Sister Ice's baptism (half the people in this photo are investigators). 

Conversion is the key. We've recently begun living off the theme: "teach repentance and baptize converts". Yesterday we baptized a 12 year old convert, and oh our joy was great! When we met with Sister Ice's grandma last week to ask permission for her to be baptized, Sister Ice had the opportunity to share her testimony: "I want to be baptized and after I am baptized I want to share the gospel and help others. "Even the smell of the fruit gave her a desire to share the gospel with her family, and now that she's tasted it's time for the work to continue.

Teach repentance, baptize converts.

The work continues...

Love,
Sister Smith

On the Forefront of the Fight

Sister Smith and Sister Forte at Wat Phra Kaew temple

Missionary work takes a lot of acceptance. This past week I have learned to accept a lot of things: I am not perfect, some people don't listen, faith takes patience, and miracles aren't immediate.

Arthur received the Gift of the Holy Ghost

This last week Arthur was baptized, and yesterday he received Gift of the Holy Ghost. It's been a miracle to see him grow and develop in this way. We inherited him from other missionaries that left our area--he's been an investigator for 6 months. I think of the other sisters in Chaengwattana that planted a seed for him. They didn't see the light radiate from him as he finally admitted there was a God, or watch as he entered into the waters of baptism, relying on the faith that it would truly change his life. But they didn't give up and they taught him, challenged him, testified to him-- having faith that the little seed would grow. I am privileged to have seen that seed begin to take root inside of a great soul. I think of all the people I've met so far. Arthur's story gives me a fresh perspective that as a missionary, you do your best, and then accept what happens. We have faith that miracles will come even if we aren't seeing them immediately. I believe I am a small part in the midst of a giant miracle, the same miracle that has been going on since a kid stepped into the woods to pray on the spring of 1830. I have not seen the overall outcome of this miracle. I know however, that by continuing to do my best, accepting things as they come and having faith in a marvelous outcome, I will truly propel the work forward, one soul at a time.

And now for more pictures!

We went เทียว-ing on New Years!