This
week has been so good! I have felt the Christmas spirit even in Thailand where
I come across at least 1 or 2 people a day who don't know what Christmas even
is or they will say to me "No Christmas is only for foreigners, I'm Thai
so it's not for me." To which I reply, "no Christmas is for everyone!
Everyone can have Christmas!" And then I proceed to try to explain about
the birth of Jesus and how He is the way we can have hope in life. And then I
would invite them to the Christmas party (or try to haha). I guess our
Christmas enthusiasm paid off (not really it was all God's doing) because we
had close to 20 investigators/former investigators/potential investigators at
the party!! 8 of which came to church the next day.
The
Christmas party was done so well! The members did such a good job. I had the
distinct feeling that many people there had felt the true spirit of Christmas
for the first time at the activity. I felt so grateful to just be a part of it.
A small part is inviting people and making them feel welcomed. That is one of
the greatest things someone can do for another person - I think. Be a friend
and make them feel welcomed. 😊 There were recent
converts just glowing with excitement. Oh I loved it! The activity also made me
miss home a little bit but the members here are so great and make me feel like
this is my home. I will be so sad when I leave บางนา Bang
Na.
On
Sunday, Christmas eve, our darling investigator got baptized!! 🐳 อิ๋ว (Ew) is a 22 year old university student with the best
smile 😊. I was so happy for her. She wasn't sure if she had
enough knowledge but she had enough faith. She helped us teach another
investigator who is struggling with the word of wisdom, and she said "it
was hard to change, but I wanted to keep the commandments so my family can be
together forever." So amazing!
Christmas
eve night our district of ten missionaries did a gift exchange and made
pancakes with sister นิว. The gift I got (from an elder who thought he was really
funny) was a hat (bought in Thailand) that said 'real American cowboy' ha. Ha.
Ha. It was actually pretty funny. But then sister Feldman gave me pajama pants
that were Canadian themed!!! Bought in Thailand too! Hahaha it was the
best.
Today
for christmas (p day!!!) we woke up at 5:30 to open our gifts!! And then went
to President and Sister Johnson's house for their open house. It was so nice to
be in a western style house and to visit with them and other missionaries and
to eat western food too! Then we went to a trampoline park. It was sweet.
Right
now I'm on a bus in central Bangkok on our way to our appointment with the
Bishop and his family!
I had
the opportunity this month to read Mark this month and I have learned a little
bit more about Christ.
15 And
he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.
20 And
they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and
confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Love, ฃิสเตอร์ พีเตอร์สัน
