If you would please refer to the picture below...yes this is my desk. This is where I sit for just about the majority of my day. My butt has molded to this seat. You can also recognize the fact that this seat is cramped and tiny, and I have a billion things on and below my seat. #missionaryproblems.
And now if you take a look at the next photo...this is me sitting in said desk, tired and sad because I have no space and my butt hurts and is getting wider from sitting all day and eating in the MTC cafeteria. :(
But enough of my complaining!! There are also so many wonderful things about the MTC. Hopefully I didn't scare any of you prospective missionaries from serving because of my horrendous description of the classrooms...they're not all like that. I hear that the Spanish speaking and English Speaking missionaries get full-sized tables and reclining chairs!! Sooo that's something since they're only here for like 2 weeks! But I'm not complaining...Though small and humble, I love our little Thai classroom and its hard tiny desks. I'm sure with my 7 weeks left to go I'll become attached to it and won't want to leave it :)
Our classroom is always an igloo, so my companions and I brought a blanket, and we made everyone really jealous!
So this past week I've been learning a lot about conversion. We have these amazing devotionals every Tuesday and Sunday, and the one we had last night blew my mind! We got to hear from Elder Carlos Godoy of the 70, and he shared his story of conversion with us in Brazil. I encourage all of you guys to write down your conversion stories!!! Even if they are not that powerful or amazing to you, they might really touch the hearts of other people. I know Elder Godoy's story touched mine. Something that he said that I really liked and that I think applies to us missionaries and members is that we are called to teach ALL! We can't be picky or judgmental because some of the most humble people that are ready and willing to hear the gospel might not look the way we expect. We might assume that certain people do not want to hear about the gospel, but they all have spirits inside that chose to come down to live this mortal life and knew of the gospel before. As missionaries and members we just need to remind them of this and hope that they will come to the knowledge for themselves that this is the true gospel.
These are the Cantonese missionaries! They're in my zone and they're all going to Hong Kong. We're pretty close ;)
Something he also mentioned is the role members have in the social conversion of new members. Once the missionaries are done teaching, we are to hand over the new converts to the ward members who are then supposed to take over. Elder Godoy referenced a past talk of President Hickley's saying that a new convert needs: 1) a friend, 2) a responsibility, and 3) nourishment by the word of God. As members we need to take in these new converts and bring them into the fold! It is such a crucial time right after baptism, and the adversary will try everything he can to make those members doubt their decisions and doubt the love of the members. So don't ever let this be the case for you guys! Befriend these new members and bring them into the fold!
I also loved how Elder Godoy says that when we help bring that one soul into the gospel, we are not only helping one person, but a generation! I know that this was the case for my family. Without my mom, our family wouldn't have the gospel in our lives. She brought the gospel to all of her kids and my dad, and my siblings have given the blessings of the gospel to their kids, and hopefully this pattern will continue. We are affecting GENERATIONS! And I think that that knowledge made me feel the importance of my calling even more.
Sunday temple walk!
Here's most of my zone outside the temple.
During my personal study and my preparation to teach our "investigators," I've also learned a lot about prayer and faith. In order to get our investigators to ACT, they need to develop that faith. In a talk by Elder Richard C. Edgley, he said, "Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism."
D&C 8:10 says, "Remember that without faith you an do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not."
So I used this scripture and the quote from Elder Edgley in a mini talk we are asked to prepare every Sunday...ya it's kind of scary cuz we can get called on to talk on any Sunday, so you really just always have to be prepared, which is something I have definitely learned. We get called on all the time to just speak randomly and share spiritual thoughts...so ALWAYS BE PREPARED guys!
Back to faith. So as I have been struggling here these past few weeks with the language, not only have I had to have a lot of faith in myself and my abilities, but I've also had to rely a lot on the Lord. It is my goal and my prayer that we all choose faith and that we nurture that faith to a perfect knowledge of things of the Lord.
And if you are not sure of that faith, I ask you to pray!!! Prayer has become such an integral part of my life here. So many people don't know this, but prayer is having a one on one conversation with our Heavenly Father, where we can talk to Him directly and He will answer us. The answers might not come exactly how we imagine them to, but He will answer our prayers, I promise you. I love the verse in Moroni 7 that says, "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure." I love how that verse mentions "hope." And I think that just ties prayer right back into faith, which is hope unseen.
Just visiting Cams at work during my free time.
This is Sister Peterson! I want her and Cams to get married :)
I know as I struggle with the Thai language that my faith in the Lord has only increased. The amount we learn here so quickly is insane and can only be done with the help of our Heavenly Father. Oh, and it's also helped that we just got a brand new elder in our district that speaks fluent Thai!!! He's just with us till his visa gets in, but it's been sooooo nice having him around to help us with our accents and vocab.
Well sorry for the super preachy email...my bad, but I hope it helps any of you who are struggling with faith or prayer. I know that being here and preparing to teach the people in Thailand has just increased my faith and my relationship with Heavenly Father through prayer. I mean don't get me wrong, I have also had a few breakdowns...teaching in a companionship of 3 is hard, especially when you are all at different levels with your Thai and have different styles of studying and teaching. But I am learning patience and just how to love everyone unconditionally.
This is my district doing the corny "point to where you're going" picture.
Gettin' it.
Thank you guys for all of the DearElders and letters! :) I miss you guys all so much, and I can feel all of your prayers!!!
Got a letter from my cute nieces!!!
Love always,
Sister Lam
