Running in the Rain

So much has happened this week. Went on 2 switch offs, my companion took the Michigan test, and there is so much work to do. And it really is WORK! 55 I am tired, but happy. I found myself running from the church to the MRT station in the rain several times this week, and just feeling so so happy. In those moments I wish my life was a movie because the rain pours so hard and there are the lights from the city and it's just so cool. 

We have such good people learning the gospel right now. One cute person learning is named Bee and she always asks the most sincere questions. My favourite question she asks is "Sisters, when are we going to meet again to learn?". 

This last Sunday I was able to go to the Sacrament Meeting in the International ward because we had a part member family go that I translated (but this time English to Thai), and it was so cool hearing talks in English! The bishop gave a talk and he is this really funny Scottish guy. Its was just cool.

We have been taking President Hammond's daughter Haylee out doing work with us several times a week, and in one lesson, we were teaching an investigator the Sabbath Day. I invited Haylee to share her testimony about the Sabbath day. She would say a few lines, and I would translate. I liked how it was different, different as in it was 'traditional missionary' explanation. I learned from that that there are many different ways to explain, to bear testimony that will equally touch the hearts of the people. So something I am trying to work on is "breaking from the mold" of traditional missionary work (while still following the spirit and guidance from Mission president). My gist in this whole ramble is I am going to try to be more creative in the work that I do, use all my resources, etc. So if any of you who read my emails, send me some of your ideas of things that worked for you on your mission (or just in life) that was something different than the "norm". (Not that the norm is bad) 

Sister Peterson 

Photos

1. Switch offs with Sister Christensen (who's Dad is from Welling - this world is so small) and my child Sister Pimsuwan!! 

2. It was some sort of Korean pop star's birthday the other day, and all of his fan club were at the MRT station lighting a special birthday cake for him and were basically worshipping him. *facepalm* A crowd of 15-22yr old girls were there all day. 

3. Sister Christensen and I contacted at this way way way rich neighbourhood. No one was home (wrong timing, we'll go back another time) but this was one of the houses. 

Pictures

Back in the city

"What stops you?"

The tourists I translated for at church

The amazing Sister Blume :)

What stops you?

I asked this question "what stops you?" to my companion yesterday morning after seeing it on a skyscraper billboard. She replied in Thai: Nothing but red lights at intersections!" 555 After hearing that I had an unstoppable attitude the rest of the day! As I was thinking about that question "what stops you?" I was thinking "nothing should stop me, I can do all things with Christ's help. I can overcome anything and achieve the "impossible".  The only thing that stops me is my own fear or laziness, but with Jesus Christ, I can overcome that too! Anyways there's the motivational piece for this week.

This week we had switch offs, and I went with a greenie who has only been in country for a week! She reminded me of myself over a year ago, and I was able to see how far I have come and how much potential she has. With my new responsibility of being a Sister Training Leader there are more responsibilities, but I love being able to work with and help out newer missionaries. 

On Saturday, we were taking the MRT (underground train) and there was a man standing next to me. I usually don't begin conversations with men on the deadly silent MRT, but I had the thought "what the heck I can just say hi." So I did.... long story short, he came to church the next day and the Elders are going to teach him. I am still so happy about that

At church yesterday, I translated for 2 tourists who happened to be from Cardston! So that was way cool! 

The city is growing on me, even though I miss my rice fields. I just love Thailand 🇹🇭

ซิสเตอร์พีเตอร์สัน

Next Station... Asoke

Its been 2 weeks! And once again, so much has happened. I am now in the heart of Bangkok - Asoke - and am companions with the lovely Sister Blume who is Thai. 

Leaving Mahasarakham was really hard, a bunch of the members sent us off at the bus station giving us gifts and hugs and taking pictures. I love these people. 

I feel kind of like a greenie again being in a big city. Its not like the rice fields I used to bike past. 

I have just one story I want to share that happened today actually! 

A few days ago we found out that the member area 70 (church leader in asia) was coming to Bangkok. We were asked to think of some people we thought who would be good for him to go visit and give encouragement. Sister Blume thought of one family and told the Assistants. They set up the appointment and had planned to go today at 12:00. We had talked with this woman and her daughter yesterday just to get to know them, and we found out that the daughter loves to draw, so we told her that we would go over to her house to go draw together for my preparation day. We had planned to go after the mission president and the area 70 and their wives visited, but when we got there, they had just gotten there too. So we sat in the visit, and the spirit was so strong. This woman isn't in the best situation in many aspects, but this visit from church leaders really boosted her testimony. After they left we had planned to draw, when Sister Blume felt like we should order some food for this family (they hadn't eaten) So we tried to order some KFC, but for some reason they wouldn't deliver so we decided to go pick some up at the mall. When we get there (we went with the daughter of the member) we see another member and she just started filling her shopping cart full of food to give to this girl and her mom that we had been visiting. THEN when she buys all the food, we began to walk back to their house to drop it off, when the Relief Society president drives by on her motor cycle and helps us take the food back to the house and also gives encouragement to this lady and says that she will visit again and talk about self reliance next time. THEN THE BISHOP CALLS AND NOT long after that the bishop and his whole family visited this woman and her daughter. Wow. Miracles. This woman has been struggling and so has her daughter, but now her faith has been built and she feels the support from leaders in the church and from her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

I was just grateful to witness the whole thing. 

Love, Sister Peterson 

To My Blindness

To My Blindness 

All men are created equal
Under God, our Lord, as usual.
To my blindness, goodness! Bless me.
When young, I could indeed clearly see
Both positive and negative signs.
Now grown up, I cannot see any signs
The Lord lets me hear only good things
Whatever He says and sings

Paiboon Onurit 

That poem was written by our 85 year old investigator who cannot see but loves English literature (he studied in Indiana in the 70's and then was a professor). I think he just likes speaking english with us (even though we speak in Thai with him) but his wife (who isn't as old as him) is actually interested in learning and has a testimony of prayer and of our Heavenly Father.  I'll try to get some more Paiboon poetry for you all in the future. 

Phikun was confirmed :) 

I have been in Thailand for a year now! I love this country! 

I am sorry: In english class we were learning about adjectives and how one can describe themselves. everyone had a turn to say something that described themselves. "I am tall" "I am beautiful" "I am smart". This one dear lady got to her turn and stood up and said " I am... sorry." and then sat down. Everyone understood just enough english to start laughing. The lady was laughing too after so we had a good time in english class. 

It has been raining a little more recently, so I have been wearing this rain poncho and am wet and muddy a lot. We had to answer a phone call and so we stop our bikes and I was on the phone. My companion began talking to some old ladies at a food stand, and the old ladies were so concerned about me. When we asked why, they said because I could have gotten struck by lightning. there was no thunder or lightning out. Many Thai people believe that if you are on your phone in a rain storm that you will be struck by lightning. Haha I thanked them for their concern though. 

Right now I have been studying a lot about Alma and Amulek, and they are just so awesome. I am so bad at explaining why, (and my english is awkward now! 55) but they had so much faith and had the spirit with them. The Book of Mormon teaches us so much about how to live, or like what kind of people we should try to be. I would like to encourage you all to read the Book of Mormon. :)

I know that this is God's work, and that I am in His hands. 

Love, Sister Peterson