Zone Conference in Udorn

Yesterday I was at zone conference in Udorn all day! I just got back at 12:45 am last night. It was a trip. So, our P-day was moved to today.

Anway, this week was a lot of cancelled appointments. The Lord was certainly testing us in patience, but overall we have appreciated all the moments that come and the lessons that come from them. And we've had some unexpected miracles too that I'm going to pull a Nephi and say they are too great to write. (No worries they'll be in my journal but I'm just really tired now)

I LOVE zone conference. And I love interviewing with my mission president, because those are moments that I see how much I've grown personally. It helps me recalibrate myself to the work. I also got a new favorite quote out of it from one of our president's assistants:

"You have to listen to those little things, even if they result in nothing, because it's training for something bigger."

I love it because it reminds me that when I do the simple tasks I feel prompted too even if nothing comes out of it, it's still important. I do it for the Lord and He's training me so He can trust me to perform His miracles.

Two things I really appreciated from some of my sister training leaders that had a switch off with me, one said, "you know, I don't ever want to regret anything in my mission. Stuff happens you move on." I loved her attitude about the mistakes she made on her mission weren't a time for her to regret later, but a learning experience to grow from and look back, laugh and realize---WOW I'm way glad I learned that then instead of in the future.

Another thing that I learned is that conversion is an ongoing process. I came here believing that the Book of Mormon is true, and then I was supposed to testify why and I was like, "wait, I know it's true but have I even prayed about the whole darn thing?" Even if we believe already, a confirmation of truths is a good way to bring a fire of motivation to help us change our hearts. When we have a change of heart, that's something God is going to support. Way easier said than done that's for sure, Satan wants us to remain unmotivated but I believe that if you go into reading the scriptures not just to say that you read them every day, but with faith---you BELIEVE they will change your life-- it will happen.

I would also like to share a scripture about obedience. It's the classic, John 14:15.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Everyone always uses this scripture all the time. But the other day I just realized how extremely profound it was. God gave us a wonderful gift, the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because everyone sucks in some way or another, we're all sinners. And to be really real, even the best can't overcome their weaknesses and faults. We're all a bunch of stuck people. But because God loves us so much, he allowed us a way to grow, to get ourselves un-stuck, even so much as to dwell in glory as the Glorified Himself.

The least we could do is to show a little love and appreciation towards Him and the gift He has provided. Use that Atonement. Keep His commandments.

And then those commandments are also secretly meant for us to improve and stay safe too so then you're like, "Wow well now I feel way too blessed."

I'm glad for this gospel, I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I know God loves us and we are His children.

Love,

Sister Smith

God is watching out for us

Our Father's day in Thailand isn't until November which really just means we are celebrating Father's Day twice right? It should be every day.

This week I was studying in Psalms and learned a great deal from the way we receive guidance from God. In Psalm 31:8 it reads: "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

At first I thought of the Illuminati when I was reading this, but once I got over that, I had the question, what does it mean, He will guide us with his eyes? I spent a few minutes pondering and I've come up with this:

God always knows what's going on. God has a vision for us. He's not kicking us around with his feet or controlling us with his hands. He's watching out for us, giving us opportunities to grow, feel his love, and make our own choices--waiting, hoping, even pleading that we will make the choice to follow and become like Him.

I know this church is true, and I am SO happy for all I have been able to learn since being out. Every day there's always something new. I know that God has a plan for us, and that the Savior is central to it all, and I know the Book of Mormon is a miracle given to us from the Lord by the work of His servant Joseph Smith. I am so happy to say those things and mean it.

Miracle with a Member and 3 Days on Buses

This week one of our less active members we have been working with forever has finally come to church! She's a member from Chumpaa and it's such a blessing to work with her. It's one of those things where I felt like we put lots of effort and prayer into it and Heavenly Father gave us a miracle. We hope she can continue to come back every week as she feels the Spirit in her life more and more. Miracles are real...don't ever forget that!

Otherwise, this week not tons happened, except we've been traveling a lot. I feel like I spend a lot of time on buses. We went to the branch presidents house and he lives like 50 km away from the church. Also we went to a missionary training a few hours away ---which was really great! I love going to conferences and meetings to get advice and tips about success in the work, it always feels like I'm back at the MTC when we have those. Then the less active member's house (I mentioned above) lives about an hour and a half away...so yeah 3 days straight riding buses kinda crazy, not normal, but it's also makes for a great adventure.

When we went to the Branch President's house, his wife pulled out all these pictures of their family at my request and we had a great time reminiscing with them. Also apparently our Branch President went and worked in Saudi Arabia for awhile doing construction. He tried speaking Arabic with me but I didn't really understand him--not sure if it's because of his Thai accent or if it's already been too long for me.

In Thailand, pretty much every single restaurant here is a hole in the wall 6-table place. Like literally most people just turn their homes into restaurants downstairs and then they sleep upstairs. It's pretty good food too most times.

I love the scripture in 3rd Nephi, chapter 9 verse 15.

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name."

This last week I have been reading in the Book of Mormon about Christ's visit to the Americas. I also had an opportunity to watch one of the Bible videos during our spiritual thought after sports night the other day, plus I've been reading in Jesus the Christ. With these three things including constantly testifying about Jesus Christ every day, I really have begun to develop a closer relationship and deeper respect for our Savior, Jesus Christ. As I learn and study and try to live the principles that He taught, I get this feeling of completeness whenever I think to myself, "yeah, He really did live." I can testify that this is the Holy Ghost witnessing to me that the work I am doing is right, and I am so happy to say that I have gained a stronger testimony, since being here, about Christ.

I know this church is true and that this work is to help others know Christ.

Have a good week! Love you!

God Has a Plan

I am short on time today we are going on a hike. So you get a sort-of one thing email this time.

This week we had a miracle and a person we invited from one of the first weeks in our transfer finally answered his phone and said he wanted to meet. He changed his appointment around a couple times so we weren't sure exactly when he'd be at the church. Unfortunately while we were out inviting he called, and when I called back he said that he went to the church, and no one was there so he left already. Normally when this happens I will try to reschedule for another time or day, or see if we can't go visit them at their house instead, but this time I felt prompted to just tell him to come back to the church and we would be there in 10 minutes--and he said okay!

Right after we got off the phone we called a member to see if she was free right then to help and she was like, ได้เลย! (means ok!) My companion and I never have never biked so fast (but also safe) before.

10 minutes later we sat down and began a lesson with an 18 year old kid who one time prayed to God and...silence. So he never prayed again. I am grateful to say that this week I got to testify to someone searching for God that He really lives and He knows what's best for us. Sometimes we don't get an answer right away and it's not the way we think it will be but we will get an answer.

This past week has been a difficult week finding new investigators. I prayed a lot and our answer to our prayers was the opportunity to teach one new investigator. For some that might not have been an answer. For me it wasn't the sort of answer I originally thought, in my mind I thought that all of our visits to members and LA's would immediately be referrals galore and all our invites would be successful. But I think about all the hard work we did that led up to finally being able to meet and testify to this one kid who was looking for an answer to a prayer, and I wouldn't have it any other way. God has a plan and I'm not super sure what exactly it is but I'm trusting in it.

There's some words of wisdom I really like found in Job 28:28

"But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."

The most important things to remember is to fear the Lord and obey his commandments. It's better than being book-smart or street-smart.

I love you all tons and have a wonderful week! With love from Thailand,

Sister Smith