so we started the week by going to see the hmong village in the mountains. a little dress up? couldn't pass it up! it was way fun. the best part was hearing all the thai people laughing as all the white kids were running around taking pictures. and probably looking OH SOOOO WEIRD. but it was fun. we need some kind of outlet right?
tuesday was epic. i mean... pretty much every day is an adventure in the life of sister jessica ellis (because i LIKE them that way) but this one especially memorable. why you ask? because we show up for district meeting, and get sent on a scavenger hunt based on life. the plan of salvation. and the gospel of jesus christ. all around chiang mai. fun? oh my it was a blast! but while we were running around, being obedient, getting lost, and praying (calling the district leader when we had questions about what we should do)... it really hit home. we ALL are in this experience together. and some people don't even know that they have a goal. we were running around, trying to find the other members of our district... and there were people all around us, working, fishing, having a picnic in the park... and did they know what we were doing? no! we know. and we must share it with them! this clicked when we found a clue that came from D&C 61:3: But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief. we were then "commanded" to go out and find somebody to serve. and obviously, when we started helping people, we had an opportunity to share a message with them. this message... is the most important thing EVER! and we were just so focused... we didn't notice all the people around us. (had to repent there.)
it's true. i'm not a perfect missionary. but god works with all of us. he helps us to grow and to become better and better and finally... perfect.
so. in the spirit of fun activities... for our book of mormon class on wednesday night, we had another adventure!!! we were reading in 1 nephi 16. so when we found the liahona.... a strange ball appeared in the room! telling us to go outside... i do so love a field trip!
maybe i'm just going crazy... but it was so much fun!
other events of the week:
taught an ex-monk named brapat. he was telling us about his job... he teaching people how to be vegetarian. but more than that - he teaches people how to change their mindset in how they think about ALL living things. even mosquitos. i agree. life is precious. but NOT when they suck MY blood. but the lesson went well. he's progressing. has a permanent smile and he's probably the cutest old-man investigator ever.
then we got 2 new investigators last sunday. named joop-jang and yow. they came to a lesson last week... asked me all sorts of questions about christianity, the trinity, and lots of vocabulary that... i didn't know. is it important to have a member in your lessons? to testify of the things that we are teaching yes! but to answer when i have no idea what the investigator is saying? it's probably a really good check to make sure that i'm not teaching any false doctrine.........
we had a wedding on valentines day!!!! no. it wasn't mine. but it did make me veryyyy happy! funny story to this tale: i was thinking of life goals that morning in my studies. i decided that i wanted to learn to play the piano better so that i could accompany people. yes. good goal. right? about 20 minutes later i get a phone call from a member asking if i could help play for the ceremony. :O i didn't mean for it to be that immediate!!!!
i testify that god answers prayers.
wow.
the creepy guy (he's actually not so bad) that we contacted in the market came to church! i mean... usually when people are as agreeable as he was... they are just trying to get you to leave. but he came! yay for miracles!
10 hours at church. got there at 9. left at 8. oh wait. that's like 11 hours.
we had some chinese "investigators" (tourists) show up at church. they ditched out on learning the gospel so that they could go and sit in a primary class of cute thai kids. (they didn't understand a word.)
switch off from the sisters in plok! (it's not lock... it's loge...) oh my heavens. i love sister alley! if i haven't mentioned before... i love that girl. it will be a shame i can't take her home in my suitcase with me....
finally. ging got baptized!
she's been coming to church since... wow. last year sometime. waiting to get permission from her mom. originally... no one supported her. but a few weeks ago her older sister started taking the discussions with the elders up in chiang rai. and she got baptized yesterday too!
miracles happen. god is in the details.
love you!
sister ellis
sister ellis
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